Top 250 Expo: Guard Standouts Pt. 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Seven of the top guard performers I saw on Sunday during the Prep Hoops Top 250 Expo Session 1!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1560868"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Defenders just didn't have an answer for Mitchell in the game I watched. His change of pace is among the best in the state, as he was consistently lulling his man to sleep before flipping the switch and blowing by them to the basket. Showed he can slow up for a quick floater, or go all the way to the rack and convert through some contact. He's even more difficult to guard because of how he can quickly create separation to get off a three, meaning defenders can't afford to sag off and play the drive. Had some impressive isolation buckets while shooting at a high percentage during his first game of the day.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1454849"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Kaden was one of the most consistent performers in the state over the spring/summer, and carried over that high level of production into Sunday afternoon. You don't find a lot of guards with his type of physicality in the paint, as Kaden thrives at pulling in offensive rebounds and just powering his way back up for two points. All game long opposing guards and forwards couldn't seem to stop him from earning high percentage looks around the basket. A rare type of guard who's a threat to pull in 10+ boards in a game because of how hard he hunts down missed shots.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1560839"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"One of the top scoring performances of the event came from Xavier during the final game of the night. The Park Center sophomore was so creative with the ball in his hands, consistently finding ways to get open looks off the dribble. Frelix looked the part of a three-level scorer as he was hitting threes off the catch, getting into the mid-range for his pull-up jumpers, and converting at the rim with some crafty finishes. One noticeable improvement in Xavier since his freshman season was in his quickness, and it really helped him get that extra bit of separation when the ball was in his hands.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1874818"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Dane was faced off against a few scrappy defenders, and I thought he did a nice job of consistently handling the ball under pressure. Was often able to get by his man trying to press him the length of the floor, and then give his team a numbers advantage offensively. There were times he overdribbled a bit, but showed some shot creating ability both on the perimeter and getting to the rim. Quick guard with an explosive burst to beat his defender and make plays in the lane.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1560760"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Kyler had one of the quickest first steps I saw all day. If he had even a small angle to attack, Kyler was often able to blow by his man, get him on his hip, and then burst to finish at the basket. Even at 5'11 he had absolutely no fear going up against size to finish at the rim. One of a few exciting young prospects on the rise at Champlin Park.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["1560835"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"I don't have an exact number, but Tian had a huge scoring performance helping lead his team to a win in the final game of the day. The 6'4 guard has impressive shot creating ability at his size, as he can create separation on the perimeter with a limited amount of dribbles. Was knocking down the three at a high percentage, including one or two from well beyond the high school line. He's a versatile defender as well, as he constantly works hard on the ball, and has the length to defend on the wing as well as the lateral quickness to defend smaller guards. Has a ton of potential on both ends of the floor as he continues to develop.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["1612342"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"I thought Deidrick did a nice job of playing unselfish basketball in a setting where a lot of players tend to shot-hunt. Has the skill-set and quickness that probably would have allowed him to consistently get off shots on his own, but instead was looking to keep his teammates involved. As we've seen in the high school season before, he's very dangerous when he gets out in the open floor, because he's lighting quick and can effortlessly change directions with the ball in his hands. Gets good elevation on his jumper to get shots off against longer defenders as well. Will be one of the top guards in the Minneapolis City Conference this winter.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":7,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65005eaf2d7c5"} /-->