Under the Radar 2024 Guards

Colby Giacubeno

July 31, 2023 @ 12:41 PM

As we enter the last month of summer, it's always fun to take an early look at the high school season and base some findings from AAU to formulate opinions on which players remain under college coach's radars. For this article, it'll be centered around the MD/DC guards in the 2024 class that fit such a bill.   [player_tooltip player_id='1579098' first='Josiah' last='Legree'] | Loyola Blakefield   Legree is one of the most electrifying lead guards you'll find in the state, but he isn't a household name due to the fact that he played almost all of his grassroots career for a non-shoe circuit program. This isn't to say that independent programs can't help prospects blossom into legitimate Division I prospects because we've seen plenty in the past do just that. But in terms of getting in front of the right eyes, Legree didn't do so until July where he ran with New World 17s on the 3SSB Circuit. Now he's primed for a major senior campaign playing in the BCL/MIAA just one year removed from leading Parkville to the Class 4A state title.   [player_tooltip player_id='1286685' first='Tony' last='Pope Jr.'] | Gwynn Park   Pope Jr. spent the spring/summer playing with District BC on the Marquee Hoops circuit. The 5-foot-11 southpaw guard brings balance as a floor general who can run the show while setting up teammates for success or expose weak links in the defense himself by slashing into driving lanes, knocking down open three's and getting to spots quickly in the mid-range for pull-ups. He's steady, brings ball security and can be a plus defender on the ball. He'll play a crucial role for Gwynn Park this season.   [player_tooltip player_id='1416564' first='Nick' last='Goldberg'] | Winston Churchill   Goldberg is a name that caught my attention late in the winter with his play throughout the postseason with Churchill. He's a 6-foot-3 guard who can surprise you with ability to create his own shot off the bounce. He's a threat from all three levels and brings an energy that quickly spreads through his teammates with whom he shares the floor.   [player_tooltip player_id='1237830' first='Jake' last='Williams'] | Sidwell Friends   Williams is one of the purest shooters you'll find in the DMV. He's a guy that demands the defense's full attention as he's running without the ball around screens, flaring out in transition or popping out to the corner as guard's penetrate. Williams can fill it up quickly, but also has the feel to make the quick decision and find open teammates when defenders are closing out too aggressively. Williams will take on a bigger role for this year's Sidwell Friends team and it's safe to bet that will result in a few breakout scoring performances.   [player_tooltip player_id='1366898' first='Lucas' last='Sekasi'] | Jackson-Reed   Talk about a guy who used the spring/summer stage to his benefit, Sekasi was tremendous for Team AKT as a primary playmaker and a downhill threat. He scores with regularity around the rim through contact and proved himself as a guy that the defense cannot leave on the catch from three for too long. He brings sound positional size, good ball security and versatility on the defensive end at either guard slot.

As we enter the last month of summer, it's always fun to take an early look at the high school season and base some findings from AAU to formulate opinions on which players remain under college coach's radars. For this article, it'll be centered around the MD/DC guards in the 2024 class that fit such a bill.