2023 Combo Guards Primed for a Big Senior Year (1/2)
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Josiah Jackson Josiah Jackson 6'3" | PG International Leadership Of Texas Arlington-Grand Prairie | 2023 TX 2023 6’1 Lake Ridge High School Josiah is an aggressive combo guard whose skill set, ability to handle the ball and get to where…
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Continue ReadingJosiah Jackson Josiah Jackson 6'3" | PG International Leadership Of Texas Arlington-Grand Prairie | 2023 TX 2023 6’1 Lake Ridge High School
Josiah is an aggressive combo guard whose skill set, ability to handle the ball and get to where he wants to go on the court is already ready to translate to the next level. Every dribble has a purpose with Jackson, and his ability to find any space within the full court and use his agility and athleticism to get through tight spots on the floor was jaw dropping to watch. In the half court, he found his teammates for wide open looks after beating his man off the bounce and forcing a second defender to step up. His dynamic nature and ability to play on and off the ball is also ready to translate to the next level, and his energy and willingness to make the extra pass and the right read makes him a tantalizing prospect. I loved how he uses his long arms to finish around defenders in the paint, or wreak havoc on the defensive end. He moves his feet well to stay in front of his opponents and has active hands to tip passes in and play in the passing lanes.
Jamarion Carroll 2023 6’2 Wichita Falls- Hirschi High School
Jamarion is a high level athlete who is great at using his speed and agility to get up and down the court. I loved watching him flip the court, especially after a defensive rebound in which he beats the other team down the court for an easy layup. He is skilled when attacking the rim, and can maneuver around his defenders with crafty euro steps and tough finishes. On the defensive side of the floor, he used his basketball IQ and awareness to play in the passing lanes and even contest shots at the rim. His ability to play in the passing lanes allows him to leak out and play in the full court, where he consistently finished at the rim or made the right decision to find his teammate on the break. When his opponent does not have the ball in the half court, he is great at taking away every possible angle and can single handily taking his match up out of the picture. He is an impressive dual sport athlete who also plays wide receiver for the Texas 4A Region 1 Champions in football and basketball last year.
Kai’ree Murray 2023 6’2 Fort Bend Bush High School
Kai’ree is a skilled guard who is willing to do all of the dirty work to help his team find success. He played hard for every second that he was in and was fearless to get on the floor and on the glass. He might be one of the best undersized rebounding guards I have seen in a few years. His athleticism has drastically improved over the last few years, allowing him to finish emphatic dunks and get up and down the court with the ball in his hands. I was very impressed with his ability to pass the ball, he consistently made great reads on the fast break to get his teammates open looks. The threat of him finishing in the paint strikes fear into the heart of his opponents and allows his teammates to get an extra glimmer of space when Murray fires a cross court pass to them. He has improved his range from beyond the arc, especially as a catch and shoot option. He showed an ability to play on or off the ball for his high school team, and is primed for a big year this year!
Adam Herod 2023 6’3 Wylie East High School
Adam is truly a point guard with the way he is able to create offense for his team, but makes his mark with all of the little things he does right on defense, such as drawing charges and wreaking havoc on the defensive end. He can defend positions 1-2 with ease at the next level. You can tell he thinks the game at an incredibly high level, with how many good positions he was in every time down on the defensive end of the court. I was very impressed with his awareness as a help side defender, he always was just a few steps away to cut off a pass to his man while also sliding over to contest a shot in the paint. He drew charges, and showed off his ability to leap by high pointing the ball at the rim, coming up with a few blocks. On the offensive end, he can initiate offense for his team, setting up his teammates with passes. He easily scores from beyond the arc off the bounce, confidently taking defenders off the bounce and rising up in their faces.
Idalius Coleman Idalius Coleman 6'4" | SG Chapin | 2023 TX 2023 6’3 Chapin High School
Idalius is the definition of a do it all guard, who can wreak havoc on the defensive end of the court or create offense for his team and get into the teeth of the defense time and time again. His natural ability to beat defender’s off the bounce and calmly rise up within the mid-range or attacking the rim is at an elite weapon. He scored at will from all three levels of the floor, and has the confidence to shoot over the top of any defender. I loved how he hunted for his own shot from everywhere on the floor, he really took what the defense gave him every time down the court. He even showed an ability to play with his back to the basket out of the high post and make good decisions or take a bigger and slower defender off the bounce. He has a fluid handle and makes great one handed passes up the court to his streaking teammates. He facilitates the game at an incredibly high level and can pass his teammates open. What makes him even more impactful is his willingness to rebound and protect the rim. He can defend the three or the four with his length and aggressiveness on the defensive end of the floor. He has all of the tools to become a dominant combo guard at the next level.