2025 Guards Making Noise on the AAU Scene

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These guards have shown great ability to be impact players for their teams early on in the AAU season. A few of them even play up on 17U teams, and many of them have taken leadership roles either through running the point or through tough, gritty play. Check out a fiver of some guards that have been quick out of the gates.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1450990' first='Shelton' last='Henton'] | Jones Academy | 2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Henton looks much stronger and more confident than the last time I saw him play. He has always been ready to take the shot, but now he takes them looking more sure they will go in, and for good reason. He was excellent getting to the rim for Jones Academy last weekend, winning that first step and drawing fouls or finishing up high.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1485657' first='Tate' last='Dawson'] | Elite Prep | 2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dawson hasn't gotten much opportunity on Eastside Catholic's varsity team but his performance over the weekend is a good barometer for just how deep that backcourt has been. He currently plays up on Elite Prep's Adidas Gold 17U team that also sports guys like [player_tooltip player_id='1439540' first='Hudson' last='Yarbrough'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1611993' first='Langston' last='Ford'], and for Dawson it is an opportunity to show his reliable play. He is a physical presence at guard, exhibits a good stroke set up by a solid base, and limits bad possessions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1444804' first='Arion' last='Palacol'] | D1 Elite | 2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is a kid who looks to have all the confidence in the world right now. He plays poised, aggressive, and does it from inside and out with purpose and balance. His attempts from 3-point looked like knockdown shots over the weekend as he provided a calming, reliable offensive presence at the Cali Live tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1485587' first='Bryce' last='Smith'] | WA Supreme | 2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This kid is a sparkplug on the court. He is bouncing around, getting involved in any play he can reach, and his defensive work rate is especially impressive. He started at the point for WA Supreme and looks to be getting good work there this season, developing his PG skills and showing he can be a true combo guard going forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1850299' first='Kaden' last='Powers'] | WA Supreme | 2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The way Powers has been playing for WA Supreme, he might just find himself being the go-to guy at Rainer Beach next season. He scores with finesse, with power, and shows great ball protection getting through traffic to the hoop. He can be quick, controlled, and strong, all at the same time, and take the finish up high at the rim over big defenders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->