Updated Class of 2023 Rankings Point/Combo Guards

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Hoops Missouri released its newly updated Class of 2023 rankings this week. Here is a look at the first group of top point/combo guards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1476372,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/06/3E885F7C-E469-4E8E-A614-7C56CAF216BC.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/06/3E885F7C-E469-4E8E-A614-7C56CAF216BC-1024x768.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1476372"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1070094' first='Kyan' last='Evans'] (Staley): The 6'2" Evans is the No. 1 point guard in the state has been a starter for his entire career at Staley. He is a tremendous floor leader who can distribute the ball and get buckets at all three levels. He is also a big winner as he has been the point guard for two Final Four teams in the state tournament. He was also a key player for MoKan Elite's 17U team that won the championship at the Nike EYBL Peach Jam. As a junior, the Colorado State commit averaged 15.7 points, 3.9 rebounds and 5.6 assists a game for the 27-5 Falcons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1224854,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/12C429A8-9175-49D8-88D9-F1C3EF520A5B.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/12C429A8-9175-49D8-88D9-F1C3EF520A5B-1024x768.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1224854"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1070086' first='B.J.' last='Ward'] (Chaminade): The 6'0" Ward has been the starting point guard for the Red Devils' back to back Class 6 state Final Four teams. He controls the offensive and keeps the team organized with his expert ball handling and passing skills. He can also set the team's defense with his on-ball pressure. He is also a capable offensive player who can get a bucket when his team needs one. As a junior, he averaged 11.9 points, three rebounds and four assists a game. He has received Division I scholarship offers from schools such as Lindenwood and SEMO. Ward played with Brad Beal Elite during the summer grassroots season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1490460,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/06/41D5FA14-A190-4F8C-B403-4795A8C6C0C3.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/06/41D5FA14-A190-4F8C-B403-4795A8C6C0C3-1024x768.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1490460"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1071872' first='Devin' last='Conley'] (Pembroke Hill): An athletic 6'2" point guard who led Pembroke Hill to a Final Four appearance in the Class 4 state tournament with his playmaking and scoring ability. He is an excellent 3-point shooter who can also score on slashing drives to the basket and transition dunks. His burst is tremendous. He can also deliver some nifty dimes. He had a big summer for the Team YOBO/VWBA 17Us during the summer. As a junior, the Emporia State commit averaged 17 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals a game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1621117,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/10/Jorden-Williams.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/10/Jorden-Williams-1024x768.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1621117"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1070091' first='Jorden' last='Williams'] (Whitfield): The 6'0" point guard is a four-year starter for the Warriors. He's a talented lefty who has a feathery shooting touch from 3-point range. He also has the speed and quickness to beat defenders off the dribble to score in the lane. He is capable of putting up the points in bunches when he is on a roll. As a junior, he averaged 12 points a game, which included 51 3-pointers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1297500,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/406BE1FA-8ECA-4E21-8FA4-05C8C3BE524E.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/406BE1FA-8ECA-4E21-8FA4-05C8C3BE524E-1024x768.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1297500"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1070114' first='Ahlante' last='Askew'] (Republic): The 6'1" point guard is an outstanding two-way performer who can impact the game at both ends of the floor. He has good quickness and a nice 3-point stroke with his high-arching shot from long distance. He is an elite defender who can be disruptive in a variety of ways. He's an excellent on-ball defender who can also pick pockets with his quick hands. He is also very adept at taking charges as he moves his feet and gets great position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1448872,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/75CB8E76-BCCB-49B0-B28F-334DE5A82163.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/75CB8E76-BCCB-49B0-B28F-334DE5A82163-1024x768.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1448872"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1440457' first='Charles' last='Nelson'] (Miller Career Academy): The 6'0" combo guard is a talented offensive player who can score at all three levels. He has very good escape moves along with slick handles to create his own shot off the dribble. He can also dial it up from well beyond the 3-point line. He averaged 18 points a game as a junior and is fully capable of scoring more a night as a senior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1488290,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/06/A19FE0B4-0463-4E6E-892E-56CBDCCF8553.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/06/A19FE0B4-0463-4E6E-892E-56CBDCCF8553-1024x768.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1488290"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br>[player_tooltip player_id='1161283' first='Arhmad' last='Branch'] (Festus): A 6'1" point guard from Jefferson County who is one of the most athletic players at this position. He can operate with the ball or off the ball with equal effectiveness. He's tough to keep out of the lane with his strength and athleticism and he has a high basketball IQ. As a junior, he stuffed the stat sheet as he averaged 12 points, four rebounds, five assists and three steals a game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1488300,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/06/286F7BDB-F013-41EA-BE7A-487FD2B256AB.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/06/286F7BDB-F013-41EA-BE7A-487FD2B256AB-1024x768.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1488300"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aaron Walker (SLUH): The 5'9" point guard is a speed merchant who is a very exciting player in the open court. He is quite a pest on the defensive end as he can pick up opposing ball handlers in the backcourt and hound them for the full 94 feet. His dribble penetration is excellent as he can knock down the pull up jumper very effectively or get all the way to the basket. As a junior, he averaged 10 points, four assists and two steals in helping the Jr. Bills to a district championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->