Jan 29-Feb 2nd: Soph Guard Standouts
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This week I viewed 10 games consisting of 5 varsity, 3 JV and 2 freshman games. The varsity games I viewed were on Monday I watched Rancho Solano Prep Mustangs defeat Phoenix Country Day Eagles 64-59. Tuesday I watched Mesa Jackrabbits defeat Mesa Mountain View Toros 44-38. Wednesday I…
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Continue ReadingThis week I viewed 10 games consisting of 5 varsity, 3 JV and 2 freshman games. The varsity games I viewed were on Monday I watched Rancho Solano Prep Mustangs defeat Phoenix Country Day Eagles 64-59. Tuesday I watched Mesa Jackrabbits defeat Mesa Mountain View Toros 44-38. Wednesday I viewed ALA Gilbert North Eagles defeating Eastmark Firebirds 60-57. Thursday I viewed West Point Dragons defeat Maricopa Rams 70-54 and finally Friday I viewed Desert Vista Thunder defeating Gilbert Tigers 63-58.
Here were the Sophomore Guard Standouts from the week
Niko Velez Niko Velez 5'9" | PG Desert Vista | 2026 State AZ Desert Vista
A quick on quick pure point guard with toughness. He can score with pull-ups off the dribble and driving layups with contact. He has a very quick first step to get to the basket. He plays bigger then his height suggests and he is a quick on-ball defender.
Eli Schlitt Eli Schlitt 6'1" | CG Gilbert | 2026 State AZ Gilbert
A scoring combo guard. He has a deceptive tight handle and can create his own shots and will rise up off the dribble from mid-range. He is smart off of the pick and roll game and has a good feel to make plays. He is sneaky quick to get into the paint and use the floater. His best skill though is his three point shooting. He releases it quickly and squares up instantly.
Ty Denham Ty Denham 6'3" | SF Mesa Mountain View | 2026 State AZ Mesa Mountain View
A long wing forward who will rebound and block shots. He uses his length and size to score in the paint but he wants to launch that pretty jumper. He has a super quick release and deep three point range. Teams try and get him off the line so he is becoming better at ball faking and driving by.
Kolby Hoyer Kolby Hoyer 5'11" | PG Eastmark | 2026 State AZ Eastmark
A confident scoring lead guard can score from all three levels. He has the floater game and can hit the three and is deceptively fast to burst by and score on layups. He handles contact well and actually made a big and-1 in the 4th quarter of a tight game plus the actual game winning three at the buzzer.
Aidan Grant Aidan Grant 5'10" | SG American Leadership Academy Gilbert North | 2026 State AZ ALA Gilbert North
A guard who plays on or off the ball. He has a super quick shooting release from the three point line. He has a calming feeling with the ball and he uses the pick and roll game to his advantage. He can also crossover his defender and drive and kick to make a play or creates contact and will get fouled.
Donovan Wright Donovan Wright 5'8" | PG West Point | 2026 State AZ West Point
A diminutive point guard who can handle the heavy ball pressure with a nice handle and has real speed and quickness. He can score with threes and blow by layups.
Tillman Huish Tillman Huish 6'1" | CG Gilbert | 2026 State AZ Gilbert (Pictured)
A scoring combo guard scores it with the floater game off the pick and roll, threes with deep range off the catch or pull and can fall away in the post. He is a good passer with a high IQ and get the ball out of his hands quickly.