EYBL Memphis: Guards Taking the Lead

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Guard play is crucial to be competitive at the national level, the Oklahoman playmakers in Memphis were successful in scoring themselves and setting up their teammates. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1672779"],"_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":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eIt was an impressive weekend for the young point guard from Dale. After the 15U squad struggled at the first two EYBL sessions, Forsythe guided his team to the Gold Bracket Title game.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eAlong with setting the table for his athletic and big teammates, the Dale Pirate went and got his off the bounce. When attacking off ball screens or in transition, he has a slippery way of making it downhill to avoid defenders and contact. He finished strongly at the rim, often drawing fouls as well. And when left open from distance, he's very comfortable draining deep pull up threes.u003c/pu003ernu003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eAfter coming off the bench as a freshman for the undefeated Class 2A champions, the younger Forsythe had a breakout spring and is firmly in the conversation as one of the better prospects in Oklahoma's Class of 2026.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1358852"],"_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":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eThe knock on Furnish this spring has been his struggle with scoring at the Nike EYB 16U level.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eA Saturday opener seemed to hint at more potential issues after he went 0-5 from three. But the script was flipped for the rest of the weekend. He went 11-20 from distance over the next three games. This stretch helped lift his his three point shooting percentage to 34.9% for 13 games on the E16 circuit.u003c/pu003ernu003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eThe Crossings Christian guard is an outstanding playmaker. His understanding of how to control the offense in the half court, keeping his dribble alive and the vision to find teammates are next level traits. Becoming adjusted and comfortable with the speed and size of defenders to start hitting from distance was an incredibly encouraging sign for the long term potential of Furnish.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1367217"],"_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":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eOn Sunday morning in a match up against on the best 17U programs in the nation, the elite point guard prospect had one of his best scoring games of the spring.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eHe continued to battle his way inside, seemingly relishing the contact he finished through. But it was more than just driving, Forysthe was locked in on deep pull up jumpers. He went 4-7 from distance in the contest. Those great finishes at the rim and triples gave him 26 points against Vegas Elite.u003c/pu003ernu003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eAfter struggling with his jumper to start April, Forysthe has steadily improved as a shooter throughout the month of May. He finished the 17 game EYBL regular season shooting at a very good rate of 39% from beyond the arc. The 2024 point guard is most comfortable when shooting off the dribble, which often opens up the rest of his game in the halfcourt.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1367221"],"_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":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eThe former Edmond North guard recently announced he is headed to Missouri to finish his high school eligibility on the national level with nearby Link Year Academy in Missouri. In Memphis, he had a great start to the event with three straight doubles digit scoring games, along with stuffing the stat sheet throughout the weekend.u003c/pu003ernu003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eDuring a Sunday morning viewing of a dominant first half for Barrett and MoKan, the athletic guard was impressive with his efficiency, control and decision making.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eHe's an elite defender on and off the ball. His combination of size, strength, lateral movement and instincts lead to him playing outstanding defense on the ball. On offense, his decision making looked improved as he drove with a purpose to create for others just as much as he looked to score. He finished the first half with a next level type drive and finish. Finding the right balance between u0022getting hisu0022 and playing within the flow in the offense is a good step for the high ceiling guard.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1343196"],"_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":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eShooting has long been Dixon's calling card. That isn't changing anytime soon, as this spring the 918 guard has firmly established himself as an elite national shooter. After going 5-8 from three on Monday, Dixon finished the spring session shooting 44.9% from three. While the shot has always been pure, it's been a steady overall progression for him this spring.u003c/pu003ernu003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eAn underrated aspect of Dixon's game is his passing. It's first noticeable with his pin point post entry passes to “Big E” Madrid, his high school and AAU teammate. But it's more than that, the sweet shooting touch he has is replicable with some of the feeds he makes, along with outstanding anticipation to see how the play will develop. As Dixon becomes physically stronger and more comfortable on the ball, he has the potential to be a very effective secondary playmaker at the next level.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["1552391"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eThe Midwest City Bomber was especially instrumental in partnering with Forysthe in delivering Griffin's 15U team a huge Saturday win over the Oakland Soldiers.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eDenson has a smooth shooting stroke, which helped him explode for 18 points, including 4-7 from distance. When ran off the line, he has 1-2 dribble pull up and a developing floater. Along with his vital floor stretching abilities, Denson helped Forysthe with some ball handling duties. Which was a good longterm sign for the growth of the 2026 sharpshooter.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":6,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64750b476696b"} /-->