Spring Exposure Session: Standout Guards (Part I)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Dakotas Spring Exposure Session in Fargo, ND on March 30th was a huge success. The prospects of the Dakotas competed and showcased skills at a high level. The impressive guard play really stood out. They showed all the skills, and not just scoring. There was some impressive passing and sharing of the ball. Sure, these kids like to show off their game, but they also wanted to show they can be team players and do other things than just scoring. The prospects got after it defensively as well. Sitting in stances and pressuring the ball was not out of the question. Team defense and creating turnovers through effort and athleticism was on display. In part one of standout guards, we'll look at 15 guards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1384718"],"_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":"Richard was one of my key takeaways from the event. He was top dog in terms of showing an overall skill set and ability to affect a game and take things over by himself if he chooses. Everything about his offensive game was elite.He showed crazy-good ability to pass the ball and setup others. He can pull-up from three so fluidly and easily. He can takeover off the dribble and pull for a jumper or get to the hoop. An elite handle on the ball to round things out. Richard put on a little bit of a show in Fargo.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1200747"],"_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":"The guard out of Horace High School was tops in terms of explosiveness off the dribble. He can explode quickly going off the bounce, and get to the hoop regularly.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1144932"],"_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":"There's no other way to put it, other than saying Bohden absolutely balled-out. He was making any play you can think of, and impacting the game in a large way in all facets. An elite ability to put the ball in the hoop and shoot the rock. A shot-maker and playmaker. He was making defensive plays that turned into instant offense. A pull-up three game that is super fluid.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-660a02fe8a533"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1342103"],"_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":"Heinert can absolutely stroke it from deep and he showed that at Fargo. The 2nd team all-stater showed he can shoot the three off the catch or pull-up off the dribble from range. I thought he saw the floor really well as well.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["2233791"],"_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":"Jones possessed the best overall athleticism and verticality at the event. Such raw athleticism where he can dunk in transition fairly easily. Out-jumped the competition for offensive boards. He passed the ball and also shot the three at a high level as well. The 2024 prospect out of Sioux Falls really impressed.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["2055924"],"_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":"Mattson was confident and skilled. I also liked his defensive focus and effort. Handles the ball and controlled the pace. Shoots the three beautifully and accurately. A smooth and consistent stroke from deep.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1270272"],"_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":"All the way from Missouri, Kale made it a successful trip because he performed well and showed-off his game in Fargo. A well-built guard at 6'1”. A strong, powerful, and explosive guard. Handled the point guard spot with a quick and sudden handle on the ball. Pulled-up from mid-range and knocked-down threes, consistently.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1548634"],"_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":"Ryder looked long up-close and in-person. Also, he showed more explosion than I had realized he had. Exploded off the drive some and played within the game. His ball-skills seem to be improving. He'll be in line for a breakout season next year for Groton Area.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["1986901"],"_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":"Bryson seems to be growing and filling out his frame nicely. He's a tall guard at 6'3” and looks to have put on some good weight. The lefty shooter played a slowed-down and controlled game, where he wasn't sped up and played to what the defense gave him. Got to the hoop very easily, with his solid frame. He was a dominant scorer at times.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["1144931"],"_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":"The twin brother of Bohden, Bishop was also electric and dynamic, being a playmaker in all facets. Played in transition, hit shots, finished at the rim, etc. The Duffield's can jump out of the gym and they also got up and blocked a few shots.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["2132816"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"From seeing him last at the Freshman Showcase, it looks as though Gavin has grown some because he looks a little longer.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["2132776"],"_player_evaluations_8_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"Keaton stands out to me most with his defensive ability. He gets in a perfect stance and can defend with tight coverage full court. He used his sturdy frame and movement to finish at the hoop as well.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_player":["2250339"],"_player_evaluations_9_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"Bennett balled-out and showed his full capabilities in Fargo. I thought he played fast. He showed a tight and quick handle on the ball and was a big-time passer and assister. As always, he can shoot the three with range and with a fluid stroke. This was maybe the best I've seen Bennett perform .","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":10,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-660a02fe8a7f5"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2237726"],"_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":"Trueblood is a very long and lanky guard/wing with a surprising skill set for a 6'6” kid. He could put the ball on the floor and shoot the rock from three. Has some good leaping ability and protected the hoop with length. Only a 2027, with length and skill already, I think the youngster has some upside.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1651920"],"_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":"Without being able to catch all the action live, I went on BallerTV to watch and hadn't realized how good Terras looked until then. He's a guard with solid size and a lot of offensive pop. Aggressive and accurate from three. A playmaking passer. Showed good leaping ability to defend at the rim.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":2,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-660a02fe8a8c9"} /-->