Breakout Junior Point Guards to Know (1/2)

AJ Bates Jr 2024 6’2 Katy Seven Lakes High School

Anthony is a special prospect who reads the game at a high level, creates looks, gets his own shot off across all three levels, and is the kind of positive high energy guy that will fit into any locker room at the next level. He is a vocal leader who inspires his teammates on the court, and then immediately sets them up with precision passes. I have been very impressed with how much he has grown as a play-maker the last few years. He always had the ability to fire pinpoint passes and crafty passes, changing his angle in mid air, but now he is beginning to patiently read the game and attack weak spots when they are available. His body control is already on an elite level allowing him to knife through the defense with euro steps. He is incredibly aware of how he can manipulate his gather steps, especially as he attacks the rim. He has a great handle and ability to put the ball on the floor and get to his spots. He displayed a plethora of high level moves such as floaters and creative step backs. He is a very skilled shooter off the bounce. Bates seems to improve every time I see him step on the court, do not miss out on this kid!

Jaxson Vandegarde Jaxson Vandegarde 6'1" | PG Johnson (Buda) | 2024 TX 2024 6’1 Buda Johnson High School

Jaxson is the definition of a true point guard who can also get it done on the offensive end of the court. I had the pleasure of watching him compete multiple times this summer, and every time I saw him he seemed to have added a new wrinkle to his game. He is a skilled guard who can score effortlessly off the bounce and has the ability to threaten the defense from all four levels of the floor. He is a relentless attacker of the rim, who really stood out in his ability to not only finish through contact but also stop on a dime and score in the mid-range. He lived at the free throw line with his constant aggression and the ease in which he was able to get two feet into the paint. He is a threat to score from every inch of the court, and is a really deadly offensive weapon. He controls the game like a true point guard who can facilitate an offense and also pass his teammates open in the full court. His ability to manipulate the speed of the game when the ball is in their hands. He routinely broke a full court press with his speed, getting the edge on his opponent or by making the right read and a picture perfect over head pass. This summer he made a real leap on the defensive end of the court, intensely moving his feet to cut off angles and using his active hands paired with his high level basketball IQ allows him to come up with steals in abundance.

Walker Williams 2024 6’0 Plano West High School

Walker is a skilled point guard who can make the right decision every time down, whether that is attacking his defender or setting up his teammate with a pinpoint bounce pass or cross court pass. His basketball IQ is always on full display every time he touches the court. He routinely fit passes through very tight windows, allowing his teammates to get off easy looks after his jaw dropping passes. His ability to create offense and makes decisions out of the pick and roll was special too. He calmly operates the screen and finds the right pass, whether that is to his rolling big or his open spot up shooter on the back side. He is a confident shooter from beyond the arc and the mid-range, and works hard to get to his spots with and without the ball. Williams is a skilled guard who can fill it up at a moment’s notice, and as soon as you turn your defense’s attention to him, the rest of his team will punish you!

Jetsin Dotson 2024 6’0 East Central High School

Jetsin is an aggressive point guard who creates looks for his teammates, but attacks the rim at a high level as well. He unselfishly can run the fast break, firing passes to his teammates at just the right time to allow them to take one dribble and get to the rim or simply catch and shoot. Where I loved watching him operate was the pick and pop, with a floor spacing big. He just made the big flare out to the wing or the high post, and then boom, exploded to the rim and attacked the smaller help defender. This summer I got a chance to see him multiple times, showing off his connection with his big every time they touched the court. I have also been very impressed with his ability to go coast to coast and attack opponents at the rim. He is an explosive athlete who seems to elevate very naturally, allowing him to finish at a very high level even at his height.

Jason Ward Jason Ward 5'11" | PG Round Rock | 2024 TX 2024 6’1 Round Rock High School

Jason is an ideal point guard who confidently controls the tempo of the game and create offense within the half court. His unselfishness is always on display, making the right read and passing up on good shots to find the best shot. His passing ability is always on display when he handles the ball, firing perfect passes up the court to streaking teammates, and his cross court passes always hit his teammates right on the money to allow them to quickly get their shot up. I loved watching him manipulate the defense through the pick and roll, he made the right reads to find his big man down low or his shooters on the perimeter after drawing a third defender. His ability to control the game allows him to knife through the defense and pick apart match-ups whenever he wants. His awareness is already at a very high level!

Kasen Hastings Kasen Hastings 6'0" | PG Krum | 2024 State TX 2024 6’0 Krum High School, TX (DC Kings Denton 2024)

Kasen is a high level point guard who sees the floor and can create opportunities for his team at a moment’s notice. Where he really makes his mark is how well he can attack off the bounce, scoring at will from beyond the arc and then blowing by his defender’s with head fakes after the threat of his shot from the outside became evident. He is a tough finisher in the paint, who showed an ability to get his shot off over bigger defenders. Even if his shots are not falling, he can still handle the ball and create offense for his teammates. He calmly operates the pick and roll, and always seems to find cutters at just the right time to get shots up. His ability to get into the teeth of the defense and make the right reads allowed him to set up his team for easy looks, either from dump off passes or on the weak side.