Vegas Notebook: Big Time Guards (Pt. 2)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LAS VEGAS — There were multiple good club basketball events held throughout the Las Vegas area during the last true live viewing period of the summer. We were able to spend a good amount of time at each of them and in this piece we take a closer look at the best guards we saw in the Las Vegas Big Time event.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Darius Bivins, 2026, Washington Warriors</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bivins was one of the bigger surprises of the event for me. The 5-foot-11 rising sophomore is a high level shot creator for himself and teammates. His ability to manipulate his defender with the dribble and changes of speed and direction can be filed under the "elite" category. Bivins is also a knockdown perimeter shooter with a good fundamental base to his skill-set.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2047916' first='Jacobe' last='Coleman'], 2025, YBE</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coleman is a physical downhill driver and finisher with some explosive pop off the floor that allows him to rise up and finish over rim protectors. The 6-foot-3 off-guard was at his best when slashing and finishing in transition which included a number of high-flying finishes of lob passes. The rising junior is one of those "throw it up and let him go get it" athletes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1264595' first='Jase' last='Butler'], 2024, Jalen Green Elite</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Butler was one of the biggest stock risers in the country this spring and summer as he picked up double-digit Division 1 offers. The 6-foot-4 lefty is a high IQ game-managing point guard who asserted himself more on the offensive end as the summer went on. Butler has great size and feel for the point guard position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1550877' first='Jayden' last='Moore'], 2026, J Sizzle 3SSB</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Moore strikes the perfect balance for the modern point guard. Not only can the 6-foot rising sophomore score in a variety of ways but his willingness to find open teammates the precision in which he delivers his passes on time and on target makes the game that much easier for his teammates. Moore played a poised floor game in a nationally televised game against Strive For Greatness and made a name for himself nationally.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='991408' first='Meleek' last='Thomas'], 2025, New York Lightning</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thomas was one of the more explosive athletes in the gym and one of the better basketball players. The key to Thomas' game is his versatility on both ends of the floor. Offensively, the 6-foot-5 rising junior is a threat to break defenders down off the dribble and get to the rim and finish through or above contact. Thomas can also knock down perimeter jumpers with his impressive lift off the ground. Thomas uses his elite length, timing and quick-twitch athleticism to play passing lanes for steals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->