2024 Rankings Update: Guard Newcomers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(99) SG [player_tooltip player_id='1751111' first='Hunter' last='Putman'] (Bellevue)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A 5-10 scoring guard, Putman is capable of getting red-hot and carrying his team offensively for stretches at a time. He's a dynamic three-level scorer who can create his own looks or operate off the ball to find spaces in the defense to get his shot off. He's averaging 14.6 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(106) SG [player_tooltip player_id='1178729' first='Jaden' last='Jones'] (Dallas Center-Grimes)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A 6-3 guard who can play with and without the ball in his hands on the offensive end, Jones has shown that he can knock down open shots, get others involved, and get to the rim with good off-ball movement. He's a high IQ player who puts himself in the right positions defensively and he has the size and length to defend multiple positions. He's averaging 6.5 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 4.0 assists on 45-39-71 splits. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(110) PG [player_tooltip player_id='1751176' first='Andrew' last='Cose'] (Waukee Northwest)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cose isn't asked to do a lot offensively for a loaded Northwest team, but he has proven to be a highly valuable piece for the Wolves on both ends of the floor. A smart 5-11 guard who plays solid defense, he's also a knockdown shooter who is burying 55% of his 3-point attempts on the year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(112) PG [player_tooltip player_id='1440273' first='Aiden' last='Heth'] (Cedar Falls)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An energetic two-way guard, Heth plays with a non-stop motor on both ends, flying all over the floor as a defender, knocking down open shots, creating looks for others, and diving on the floor for loose balls. He makes up for his lack of ideal size by playing harder than anyone. He's averaging 3.1 points and 2.1 assists a game for a very good Tigers team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(128) SG [player_tooltip player_id='1751185' first='Jacob' last='Khounsourath'] (Nevada)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A versatile three-level scoring threat, Khounsourath is having a breakout junior year for the Cubs, averaging 19.8 points on 42-37-80 shooting splits. He has the strength to finish through contact around the rim, the deft shooting touch to stretch the floor, and the court vision and ball-handling to create shots for others (3.5 assists). A versatile defender as well, he's blocking 1.5 shots a game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(130) SG [player_tooltip player_id='1288903' first='Deng' last='Gai'] (Des Moines Lincoln)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An athletic guard with some length and ball-handling, Gai has a solid mid-range game and is capable of breaking down a defense and creating his own shot. He uses his length and athleticism to his advantage defensively as well, getting into passing lanes. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(146) SG [player_tooltip player_id='1751214' first='Nash' last='Paulson'] (Lewis Central)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A 6-2 guard who has shown a propensity for putting the ball in the bucket, Paulson is taking full advantage of a transfer that left a lot of available shots on the table, averaging 14.3 points and 2.1 assists a game for the Titans. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(147) SG [player_tooltip player_id='1751215' first='Reggie' last='Postel'] (North Polk)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A 6-1 slashing guard, Postel is at his best when he's putting pressure on the defense and attacking the rim. He's averaging 12.3 points a game for a Comets team that has been one of the most pleasant surprises in the state this season. He's a quick guard who does a good job jumping passing lanes as well, coming away with 1.8 steals a night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(148) SG [player_tooltip player_id='1261860' first='Aidan' last='Scholes'] (Oskaloosa)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Scholes is a good perimeter shooter who can space the floor for the Indians. He moves well without the ball in his hands and is a solid shooter both off the dribble and the catch. He's averaging 11.5 points a game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(149) PG [player_tooltip player_id='1751097' first='Benny' last='Ramker'] (Waverly-Shell Rock)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A quick 5-8 guard, Ramker has come off the bench to provide a spark on both ends of the floor for the Go-Hawks. He's a good perimeter shooter (46.2 3P%), but likes to use his quickness to get to the bucket for finishes. He has shown himself to be a reliable secondary ball-handler and playmaker as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(150) PG [player_tooltip player_id='1751216' first='Breckyn' last='Betenbender'] (North Linn)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Betenbender is an absolute pest as an on-ball defender, a quick guard with great lateral movement and quick hands. He makes life really difficult for opposing ball-handlers, getting up into them and forcing them to make pressured decisions. He has also shown himself to be a reliable 3-point shooter, a quality finisher around the rim, and a good secondary playmaking threat. He's averaging 9.3 points, 2.8 assists, and 2.2 steals a game on 52-40-57 splits. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(183) PG [player_tooltip player_id='1288880' first='Boaz' last='Clark'] (Roland-Story)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clark has been really solid on both ends of the floor for one of the best teams in 2A, averaging 7.5 points, 2.9 assists, and 2.0 steals a game on 48-41-100 shooting splits. A smart guard who positions himself well on the defensive end, he also takes great care of the ball (0.7 turnovers a game).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(188) SG [player_tooltip player_id='1751221' first='Sam' last='Mericle'] (St. Edmond)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mericle has been absolutely dominant as a scorer for the Gaels this season, averaging 19.9 points and 5.3 rebounds a game on 50% shooting. He's a strong guard who finishes well around the rim and has a solid mid-range game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(189) SG [player_tooltip player_id='1751222' first='Jackson' last='Anderson'] (Union)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6-0 guard does a little bit of everything for the Knights, averaging 17.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.3 assists a game. He's an athletic guard who gets to the rim and to the free-throw line routinely. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(192) PG [player_tooltip player_id='1751225' first='Gus' last='Pickup'] (Central DeWitt)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The starting point guard on last year's 3A runner-up team, Pickup has taken his play up another level this year, dishing out 5.6 assists a game for the Sabers while also knocking down nearly 40% of his 3-point attempts. He's a smart guard who understands angles, doesn't force anything, and protects the ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(195) PG [player_tooltip player_id='1751228' first='Corey' last='Dettman'] (Humboldt)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 5-9 lead guard has been a steadying presence in the Wildcats' backcourt, posting a 2-1 assist-to-turnover ratio and scoring at an efficient clip when the opportunities are there, averaging 7.7 points and 3.0 assists on 50-48-75 splits. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(199) SG [player_tooltip player_id='1751232' first='Cameron' last='Dunbar'] (Vinton-Shellsburg)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dunbar is having a solid, breakout year for the Vikings, leading the team in scoring at 13.8 points a game. He's a strong guard who likes to play downhill and get to the rim, where he's a solid finisher. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->