Post-Spring Report: Best Available ’23 Guards

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the transfer portal still filled with players with college basketball experience from varying levels, we wanted to take a closer look at some of the best available high school prospects based in Southern California. We'll begin with the best available guards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='992482' first='Darius' last='Carr'], Fairfax</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The dynamic playmaking combo guard was originally committed to New Mexico State before decommitting after the fall out due to multiple scandals surrounding the program. Carr is a multi-level scorer whose combination of size, strength and relentlessness in the open court makes him a good transition scorer and playmaker. The 6-foot-4 guard can knock down catch and shoot three's with time and space and has defensive instincts that could translate to being a good defensive player at the next level with further dedication to scheme and technique.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Giovanni Goree, Heritage Christian</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Goree has proven on multiple occasions that he's a spark plug of a scorer. The 5-foot-11 point guard has deep three-point shooting range off the bounce and off the catch which really spreads out the opposing defense. Goree has a strong frame and good speed and quickness and his shooting ability opens up driving lanes for him to drive into the lane where he can knock down floaters with touch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='996386' first='Jimmy' last='Baker'], Etiwanda</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Baker is one of the better pure athletes at the guard position in the region. The 6-footer is built like a Division 1 defensive back or running back and has the speed and toughness to match. Baker thrives in transition where he can get downhill and into the paint where he can finish through contact or dish to an open teammate. I think Baker's best attribute for the next level is his defensive ability. He has great lateral speed, quick hands and a strong base which allows him to guard smaller, quicker guards or bigger and stronger ones.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='994909' first='JJ' last='Bartelloni'], Torrey Pines</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bartelloni is the best shooter among this group which was pretty easy to type due to the fact that he was one of the best shooters in the state during his senior season. The San Diego-based guard knocked down 189 three's and hit them at a 41 percent clip. At 6-feet-4, Bartelloni has great positional size, has a specialist type of projection because of his ability to come off of screens or hit spot-up perimeter jumpers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='992476' first='Mike' last='Price'], Corona Centennial</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Price has some great playmaking instincts and it comes out in an uptempo setting. The 6-foot-2 point guard is aggressive when pushing the pace in transition and can really get downhill to attack the rim. His aggressiveness on the break puts the defense on its heels and opens up clean looks for himself and teammates.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1814768' first='Shadale' last='Knight'], Rancho Cucamonga</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Knight is such a tough cover because of his combination of speed and shiftiness but also the strength he can attack the basket with. The 5-foot-10 lefty has great first step burst to get by his initial defender and finishes much bigger than his size around the basket. In addition to his ability to score in the lane he can also fill it up with perimeter jumpers both off the catch and off the bounce.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->