2024 Rankings Update: Newcomer Guards

Tony Roe October 4, 2023 @ 09:30 AM

(201) [player_tooltip player_id='1587393' first='Landon' last='Welp'] | PG | Algona   Welp is a prototypical, throwback point guard, the type of player you used to think about when you heard the term "point guard". He's not much of a scorer (4.7 points per game), rather looking to get his teammates involved at a high clip and protect the ball. He dished out 5.3 assists a game last season and posted a 2.82 assist-to-turnover ratio. He handles it well, is a great passer, and is a really good on-ball defender.   (215) [player_tooltip player_id='2204890' first='Preston' last='Daedlow'] | PG | Tipton   Daedlow is a small but quick guard who can create looks for his teammates or shoot it off the dribble. He does a great job using his combination of ball-handling, quickness, and footwork to create a tiny additional bit of space to get his shot off, and he knocked down nearly 35% of his 3-point attempts last season.   (219) [player_tooltip player_id='2204880' first='Kannon' last='Still'] | PG | Marquette Catholic   Still (pictured) is a good team defender who moves his feet really well when defending on the ball, and he communicates well defending off of it. On the offensive end, he's a good ball-handler and passer, and a really good shooter off the catch who knocked down 37% from deep last season.   (223) [player_tooltip player_id='2204864' first='Carlos' last='Kirui'] | CG | Waukee   A quick-twitch guard with good handles and a quick first step, Kirui can blow by defenders and get into the teeth of the defense where he's a threat to score or find an open teammate. He's a solid on-ball defender with good feet and quick hands. After barely playing on a loaded Waukee team last season, he should be a significant contributor this season.   (233) [player_tooltip player_id='1587392' first='Lance' last='Bunde'] | SG | ACGC   A 6-1 wing who does a good job using his length to make an impact on the defensive end, Bunde averaged 12.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 2.0 steals a game as a junior for the Chargers with 43-37-67 shooting splits. He's a good shooter off the catch and a capable playmaker who sees the floor hand handles it well.   (239) [player_tooltip player_id='2204875' first='Jhikeith' last='Mcgraw'] | SG | Prince of Peace   An athletic 6-2 slashing guard, McGraw is at his best when he's playing downhill and attacking the rim. He's a capable shooter from the arc, but he certainly prefers to use his quickness and physicality to get to the bucket. He averaged 12.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.8 assists a game as a junior for the Irish last season and shot nearly 46% from the floor.   (243) [player_tooltip player_id='1587394' first='Maddox' last='Hammerstrom'] | CG | Panorama   Hammerstrom was sensational as a junior for the Panthers, averaging 14.4 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 4.9 assists a game, leading the team in every category. He's a tough, physical guard who sees the floor well, gets his teammates involved, and is really good on the glass. He turns it over a little too much, but with how much he's asked to do for his team, it's understandable.   (244) [player_tooltip player_id='2221596' first='Nolan' last='Grebin'] | PG | Stanton   Grebin scored in bunches last season for the Vikings, putting up 16.8 points a game. He's a quick guard who plays downhill and gets to the rim, and he has a solid mid-range game as well. In addition to his scoring, he dished out 3.3 assists a game.   (246) [player_tooltip player_id='2221605' first='Landon' last='Osberg'] | SG | West Central Valley   A 5-11 guard who can play with or without the ball in his hands, Osberg was a scoring machine for the Wildcats as a junior, averaging 16.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.8 assists a game. He's a good enough shooting threat that it needs to be respected, but he's best when he's getting to the rim for finishes.

(201) Landon Welp Landon Welp 5'11" | PG Algona | 2024 State IA | PG | Algona