Prep Hoops NEXT Midwest Melee: Guard Play Making It Happen

Brennan Bonds was a player that stood out each day of the Midwest Melee Event. Bonds, a 5’8 point guard, displayed that he was an overall leader in the ways that he controlled his team, understood the pace of the game, and made the right choices in the right moments. When it comes to the skill side of the game Bonds is no slouch. He can handle, distribute, score, and rebound with the best of them, especially in transition down the floor in the open court. Bonds was one of the best players there this weekend at the point position and he showed that throughout every contest.

Zion Dawson was one of the smallest players I saw compete this weekend. Let me rephrase that. Zion Dawson was one of the smallest players I saw compete this weekend, a player whose size does not define the size of his heart and determination because this kid WANTS it. It was amazing watching Dawson fly toward the rim, looking for contact and a possible AND1 opportunity on the regular. There were several occasions this weekend when he would attack someone who was more then a foot taller than him, and he still finished through contact. Something that was outstanding to witness first hand. Dawson is going to get as far as he wants to go in life. From talking to him for a short amount of time you can tell that nothing is stopping him from crushing his goals. Right now he is determined and wants to be the best while balling with his friends. Something we can all respect.

Tyler Chlan helped lead his team to the 2028 championship game this weekend. While doing so he displayed what it means to lead his team and be the point guard that everyone looks up to in big moments. Chlan, a 5’9 instinctual guard, is a solid overall prospect. For his age he has great size and speed, can handle, can pass, and can score in bunches. When I had the opportunities to see Tyler compete this weekend he was the overall best player on the floor in most occasions at the guard position, something that surely helped his squad suceed. Moving forward this is a player to watch out for. All the physical abilities he has, combined with a good head on his shoulders means the sky could be the limit for him but only time will tell.

Noah Tyler may not be a name that everyone knows out of the state of Wisconsin just yet but they will. Tyler is a pure scorer. A player that when they shoot the ball, you know it’s going to go in and it seems effortless. It doesn’t mater where from either. It could be for a deep three, a mid-range pull up, or a take to the basket off of the dribble. I didn’t get to see a lot of the 2027 class this weekend with being at a different facility then most teams but out of the ones I did get to watch, Tyler would of been their best scorer in most situations. Don’t let this fool you though, he is very solid in other aspects of the game such as defense and rebounding, as well as understanding situational basketball to a T, but his best ability is scoring the rock, hands down. He is a bucket who has it firing on all cylinders and this weekend he was really fun to watch.

Elijah Wright had a nice little Sunday for himself and his Prime Time Basketball 2028 team. Wright, a quick and crafty point guard, did a little bit of everything for his team in their contests this weekend. He handled and found his open teammates, scored when he thought he needed to, and rebounded the best he could against bigger opponents. When you watch specific teams sometimes there is a player or person who gets them going. A player that gets them in the right spots and makes sure that everything is going smoothly, that person for this team is Wright. A team that has some nice talent, Wright is the star and he was again this weekend. I hope he stays dedicated to the game because if so, he is going to be a problem for defenses in the near future when he gets to the high school level.