Hoop Life: 2025 Guard Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On July 29th I attended the&nbsp;<em>Hoopers On1y</em>&nbsp;<strong>Hoop Life</strong>&nbsp;tournament located at the Phhacility and the Kroc Center in Phx, AZ.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I focused most of my attention on the younger groups of 15 and 16U but saw a couple 17U games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Here were the junior guard standouts that caught my eye:</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1297427' first='AJ' last='Thomas'] Eduprize (NDO 17)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the top point guards in the state showed off. He attacks off the bounce thru contact with unreal shift to his game and the ball is definitely on a string. He is a plus rebounder with a burst and his bounce has gone to another level. His tight handle, Improved strength and ability to score thru heavy traffic to go along with his pinpoint passing and shooting has separated himself from many. He made one full court pass on a rope to a running teammate, that not many would ever even throw. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1366578' first='Davion' last='Harris'] Hamilton (AZ RUN N GUN 16) (Pictured)&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A thicker PG who is quickly improving. He has long arms with a stronger upper body. He has improved court vision with up the court and live dribble passes. He is starting to fill in his frame and can catch and shoot from the three and off the dribble. He will give a hard ball fake and dribble drive to the basket thru contact. He has a polished floater game and is good in transition. Stock up!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1150852' first='DeNali' last='McNeal'] Canyon View (AZ Venom 17)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A smooth operator who plays at his own speed. He has a polished pull-up off the dribble from mid-range and is an out of area rebounder. His pace to his game is always on point but his skill seems to keep evolving. He has a tough euro game and made many tough shots in heavy traffic. On defense his length bothers his opponents in the passing lanes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1371095' first='Noah' last='Oliver'] Canyon View (AZ Venom 17)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A thicker shooting guard can defend and score it. He can hit the catch three plus rise up from mid-range and drill it. He is a very physical rebounder who will do many little things to affect a game.&nbsp;His downhill stuff is tough with his sturdy frame. He will be very important this year for the Jaguars. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1150847' first='Carlos' last='Coronado Jr'] Phhoenix Prep (ODG Elite)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An athletic scoring point guard is creating his own offense more. He looks faster and more athletic. He can shoot the three off the dribble and his natural speed and quickness standout. He threaded the needle a few times and has an incredible burst off the dribble to get to the basket. Don't be surprised if he throws down on a defender this year. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1364143' first='Landon' last='Wilson'] Centennial ([program_tooltip program_id='2076648' first='Peak' last='Basketball'] 16)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A sniping shooting guard has deep range with an ultra quick trigger. He uses his strength in his upper body to get downhill and will score thru contact and has a polished floater game he can utilize.&nbsp;He is heading to Centennial from Liberty and should make a splash for Coach James. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1286021' first='Eric' last='Rubin'] Cactus Shadows ([program_tooltip program_id='2076648' first='Peak' last='Basketball'] 16)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An old school point guard is also taking his game elsewhere. He is heading to Cactus Shadows from Pinnacle and look for him to play heavier minutes for Coach Washut. He has a great pace to his game with a high feel. The lefty can drive it with a deceptive burst to get past his defenders to score on runners and layups. He is always looking up and surveying the scene to try and make a play. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1286022' first='Ryan' last='Nelson'] Pinnacle ([program_tooltip program_id='2076648' first='Peak' last='Basketball'] 16)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A combo guard is an easy scorer. He is noticeably stronger and will rattle in catch triples with a quick release. He can take the ball to the basket and use his stronger upper body to absorb the contact. He moves the ball for better looks and he should play on varsity this year. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2108097' first='Kaden' last='Gullhuir'] Mountain Pointe (Zona Nation 16)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A newcomer for me is a combo guard with a good feel to make plays. He has long arms to defend with a stronger upper body. He rebounds well for his position, he will shoot the catch three, he is a sneaky good passer and will take long strides to the rim around traffic. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2108098' first='Brendan' last='Goodman'] Paradise Valley ([program_tooltip program_id='2076648' first='Peak' last='Basketball'] 16)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another newcomer for me is an undersized point guard. He is quick, tough and skilled. He seems highly coachable and is very scrappy on defense with quick feet and hands. He can hit the three and burst into the lane with his speed and handle. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->