17U Point Guards from the Weekend

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This group of showrunners played all over the country last weekend, from California to Arizona, to Atlanta, Georgia. I've wrangled them all here as some of the standout leaders and playmakers from the weekend. Take a look at some soon-to-be seniors putting out strong performances on the AAU scene.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1710051' first='Denali' last='Hatcher'] | Elite Prep | 2024</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hatcher plays with good pace and is successfully aggressive without forcing the ball around. He's a hustler that tries to get into the action at every opportunity, but also plays with good poise, using jabs and fakes to create driving and passing lanes. At just 5-foot-8, he was more than comfortable finishing around bigs at the rim and overall played a solid game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1450575' first='Ishe' last='Kanhukamwe'] | Local Hoops | 2024</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ishe is a guy that should have a major role next season for his high school squad and has the potential to really take off this AAU season. His quickness and body control help him on both sides of the ball, but it was his 3-point shooting that stood out to me this weekend. That has been a piece he has steadily improved upon over the last year and he seems to be feeling his shot early on in the AAU season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1837765' first='AJ' last='Manning-Blanks'] | BDH Elite | 2024</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This guy constantly puts defenders in a blender with his quick handles and strong lower body. He can get to the rim, split defenders, and open up outside shots with the drive and kick. He can find himself over-dribbling at times but he is a guy that could become a high-level playmaker by the end of summer. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1450572' first='Dane' last='Gardea'] | Local Hoops | 2024</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This kid is just a big guard at 6-foot-4 who can provide a different look at the point spot. He's a big finisher at the hoop, using his strength, size, and athleticism to finish through or over defenders. While he plays a lot of point in high school, I saw him more at the off-guard this past weekend but he stayed involved, running the floor hard and getting physical inside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1110736' first='Utrillo' last='Morris'] | NW Rotary Rebels | 2024</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He is one of the quickest players you will see and defenders had a whale of a time trying to stay in front of him this weekend. He can get through the defense in a blink and also poses a threat defensively as a scrappy on-ball defender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1837762' first='Caleb' last='Berry'] | BDH Elite | 2024</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Berry has shown some great understanding of how defenses will guard him and how to attack different types of defenses. But this past weekend it was his shooting that shined brightest. He has incredible range from behind the arc and defenses still haven't figured out you need to guard him way out there.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->