Big Year Ahead: N.C. Guards C/O ’25

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Junior year is a big year in high school hoops. For most guys, this is when their stock begins to rise, their game starts to gain the attention of big-time programs, and their offers start rolling in. However, junior year can be an entirely different ball game for the guys who are overlooked and underrated. The 2023-2024 high school basketball season will be one of North Carolina's best yet. Let's meet some of the underrated guards in the class of 2025 who have a big year ahead.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1832592"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='1832592' first='Lishawn' last='Speller'] is one of the most intriguing prospects in the entire class of 2025 and is certainly a name to know. At 6'2u0022, the combo guard out of Southwest Guilford has the potential to become a game-changer on both ends of the floor. His length and size put him in a position to score from anywhere on the floor. Speller can attack the basket with ease, has an automatic mid-range game, and can knock down big-time shots from three. He is one of the most lethal scorers in his class. One aspect of his game that stands out is his ability to move with and without the ball. He is efficient in getting to his spots, is patient with the ball, and never gives up on the play. Speller is the type of player that sets the tone for the other four guys on the floor with him. He is a natural rebounder and a gifted defender. Plays good, solid man defense on and off the ball. Great footwork for a guard his size. Lateral quickness is elite. Can step up and lock down 1-5 when need be. With a hungry Southwest Guilford team that finished 18-9 last season, expect [player_tooltip player_id='1832592' first='Lishawn' last='Speller'] to be in the saddle of this Cowboy squad in 2023-2024.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1832546"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"I have had the pleasure of watching [player_tooltip player_id='1832546' first='Ja'vier' last='Tinnin'], point guard for the Williams High School Bulldogs in Burlington, N.C. on numerous occasions. And every time, I am more impressed with his game. Tinnin is your classic stocky, scrappy, and competitive point guard. At just 5'10u0022, what Tinnin lacks in height he makes up with heart. You would not realize that this guy is undersized without seeing his scouting report. That's just the way he plays. He's aggressive in the lane, makes tough plays, and gets to his spots with ease. Height is not an issue with Tinnin. It never has been and never will be. Not on defense, either. Tinnin is a brick wall on defense. He's got that dog mentality that enables him to take blows and stay committed to his matchup. He's got active hands that account for easy swipes and steals in the lane that allows him to do his thing out in transition. Tinnin is an underrated defensive rebounder for a guard his size. He's vocal on both ends of the floor and is the type of guard that embodies what it means to be an extension of his coach. With a Bulldogs roster expected to see the growth of a couple of key returners, expect [player_tooltip player_id='1832546' first='Ja'vier' last='Tinnin'] to make an immediate impact on this Williams team next season.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1220090"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Coming off a developmental sophomore season with the White Oak Vikings in Jacksonville, N.C., [player_tooltip player_id='1220090' first='AJ' last='Strickland'] is an intriguing prospect in the class of 2025. Strickland spent the 2022-2023 season excelling in his role off the bench on a really talented, upperclassman-heavy White Oak squad. With that being said, the departure of a couple of integral pieces to this team opens the opportunity for Strickland to exceed in a new role; the starting point guard for the Vikings. Strickland is a past-first type of guard who elevates the play of his teammates in every aspect of the game. He is one of the best in-huddle and on-court communicators I've heard all season. Strickland is a floor general even when he's on the bench. Despite a smaller build, he is an effective driver and does a really nice job of penetrating the defense. Has a high basketball I.Q., a nice feel for the game, and establishes his flow early. He's a smooth guard who rarely turns the ball over. Despite popular belief, his size does not prohibit him from establishing an effective defensive presence. Keep your eye on [player_tooltip player_id='1220090' first='AJ' last='Strickland'] in 2023-2024, this true point guard out of Jacksonville is bound to surprise you.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1665791"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='1665791' first='Chance' last='Gladden'] is a guy whose stock I've seen rise significantly this year alone. I've had the opportunity to see Gladden live twice this year, and his performance did not disappoint. It is hard to believe Gladden still has two years of high school basketball left. He is arguably the most complete player in the entire class of 2025. His 6'3u0022 frame awards him a serious size advantage over most of the guys who are tasked to stay with him. He's crafty in the lane, has a knockdown three-point shot, and can take over on offense when his team needs him to. As just a sophomore, Gladden was the obvious number-one scoring threat on a Cary Academy team that had a couple of guys who could shoot it. Gladden runs the floor well with and without the ball. Great execution on fast breaks. High I.Q. and is unselfish with the ball. Plays aggressive defense without fouling. With a sophomore season that forced him to step up and take command of the Charger's offense, [player_tooltip player_id='1665791' first='Chance' last='Gladden'] is more equipped than most to elevate his game even higher in his junior year.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1832690"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='1832690' first='Zephaniah' last='Gattis'] is a guy who prides himself on defense, and it shows on every possession. He is one of the most versatile defenders in the class of 2025 and uses his muscular frame to get after it on every play. Gattis is not afraid to get down and dirty down low for this Eastern Alamance squad. He's a solid defensive rebounder for a player his size. He's as scrappy in the lane as they come. Effective play-maker on the fast break. Runs well in the open court. One aspect of Gattis' game that has improved dramatically is his ability to shoot the ball. I've seen steady improvement from Gattis, especially with his range. This adds yet another level of versatility to his playmaking abilities. He's got a quick first step, hard to defend downhill, and can make big-time finishes in the clutch. I like what I've seen out of [player_tooltip player_id='1832690' first='Zephaniah' last='Gattis'] with this Eastern Alamance team so far. Expect this guy to make a huge leap in his junior year and start to see his stock rise.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-646cf57e5dc32"} /-->