ACBL: 2024 Standout Guards

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On April 8th I attended the <strong>Arizona Club Basketball League</strong> or ACBL ran by local club coach <em>Kenny Mullins</em>. I watched 5 games with 9 different teams.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Here were the 2024 standout guards</strong>&nbsp;</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1909775' first='Beau' last='Hartman'] Sunnyslope (AZ Prime) (Pictured) </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A strong bodied combo guard can get downhill and score on euros. He is very good in traffic and can catch and shoot from the three point line. He made a couple impressive passes in traffic and he can post up his opponent to score using his strength.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1159406' first='Kaden' last='Garber'] Chandler (AZ Prime)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A strong framed scoring guard likes getting into the lane&nbsp;and scoring thru contact. He can shoot the three off the catch and makes play for his teammates.&nbsp;He may be the focal point for the Wolves next year scoring the ball and leading the way.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1345369' first='Ben' last='Rosenberg'] Chaparral (AZ Grind)&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An extremely tough and fearless undersized point guard. The lefty can hit the three and will scrap for every 50/50 ball and sprint back on defense. He can rise up from mid-range off the dribble as he stops on a dime and quickly pulls up. He will be the leader for the Firebirds.  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1909816' first='Nazir' last='Richardson'] Gilbert (AZ Prime)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A defensive guard has become stronger in the last year. He is a very good on-ball defender using his upper body strength, quick feet and hands plus his long arms. He can handle it plus score but makes his money currently being a disruptor on defense.   </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1275052' first='Noah' last='Sowunmi'] Paradise Valley (Factory)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A jack of all trades type of player who can play and defend the 1-3. He sees the court well and his length and athleticism allows him to defend. He will block shots and rebound like a forward. Offensively he can get into the lane and use the euro step plus hit the three off the catch or pull.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1305181' first='Tommy' last='Randolph'] Phoenix Christian (Factory)&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An attacking point guard is powerfully built and has a stronger upper body. He is very graceful in the air and will score with nice body control or just throw it down in traffic. He can hit the three but is best downhill. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1124552' first='Jveonte' last='Kidd'] Gilbert (AZ Prime)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A pure point always looking to facilitate. He passes up the court and will drive and kick. He is always giving the ball up to his teammates in the correct spot on the break or in the half court set.&nbsp;He is also a very good on-ball defender with quick feet. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Shooters</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1135515' first='Noah' last='Gifft'] Ironwood (AZ Grind)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A dead-eye shooter launches deep threes and can score more inside with his stronger frame and build. He can fall away from his defender off the dribble from mid-range. He made one step back off of a spin move impressively and he took two charges showing his toughness.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1698918' first='Blake' last='Colvin'] Sandra Day O'Connor (AZ Grind)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A three point catch shooter is the team's floor spacer for the AZ Grind. He squares up quickly and releases it like you should on every attempt. He also moves without the ball and keeps the ball in motion for a good shot. He should have a good year playing off of Simcoe. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2133601' first='Isaac' last='Hurtado'] SG 6'0 2024 Desert Ridge</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another knockdown three point shooter with an ultra quick release. He is a newcomer to me and gets the ball out of his hands quickly. He can step back and confidently lets it go. He will launch it from deep but is quick enough to get past his defender. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->