2024 Rankings Update: Guard Stock Risers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>SG [player_tooltip player_id='1376687' first='Jake' last='Benzing'] (Solon)<br></strong><em>The move: 59 to 47</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An argument could be made that Benzing is among the most improved players in the state. A long, 6-3 guard who can fill it up from all three levels, he has been dominant as a scorer for the Spartans, averaging 18.4 points and he has really improved his efficiency, posting 52-44-87 shooting splits. He's the type of scorer who can take over a game at any moment because of his ability to create shots on his own or knock down open looks moving off the ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>SG [player_tooltip player_id='1376676' first='Taye' last='Proctor'] (Johnston)<br></strong><em>The move: 62 to 50</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Proctor is one of the better on-ball defenders in the class, a long 6-1 guard with great lateral quickness. He has taken his offensive game up another level this year, averaging 10 points on 47-39-76 shooting splits while also dishing out nearly 2 assists a game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PG [player_tooltip player_id='1376725' first='Jermilyn' last='Gardner'] (Davenport West)<br></strong><em>The move: 97 to 55</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gardner is one of the most creative passers in the state, displaying impressive court vision and a quick first step and a tight handle that allows him to blow by defenders and get into the teeth of the defense routinely. He has great hands on the defensive end as well, coming away with nearly 3 steals a night in addition to 15.3 points and 4.7 assists. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PG [player_tooltip player_id='1376691' first='Tye' last='Hardin'] (Maquoketa)<br></strong><em>The move: 110 to 58</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hardin makes a huge leap up the rankings because of the way he's stuffed the stat sheet on both ends of the floor for the Cardinals, averaging 19.8 points, 6.9 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.1 blocks a game while shooting 54% from the floor. He's a capable perimeter shooting threat but is at his best when he's playing downhill and putting pressure on opposing defenses. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PG [player_tooltip player_id='1423351' first='Tysen' last='DeVries'] (Pella Christian)<br></strong><em>The move: 104 to 68</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Few players attack the rim with the relentlessness that DeVries (pictured) does. Despite his smaller stature, he's a fearless guard who lives to get to the bucket and put pressure on defenses as both a scorer and facilitator. He's one of the toughest guards in the state, averaging 15.7 points and 4.2 assists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>SG [player_tooltip player_id='1376724' first='Luke' last='Wiebers'] (Denison-Schleswig)<br></strong><em>The move: 94 to 84</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wiebers is a steady presence in the Monarchs backcourt who does a little bit of everything, averaging 13.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 2.9 steals a game. A 6-1 guard who is much better when he's attacking the bucket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PG [player_tooltip player_id='1376681' first='Jayden' last='Calabro'] (Council Bluffs Lincoln)<br></strong><em>The move: 96 to 87</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Calabro isn't shooting it well this season, but he's been excellent as a playmaker for the Lynx, dishing out a team-high 4.6 assists to go with 1.9 steals a game. His quickness and feel for the game make him an extremely valuable player for CBAL, as he can put pressure on opposing offenses and defenses with his speed and IQ.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->