Grassroots Watch: 2027 Guards to Keep Eyes on (Part 1)

<!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Take a look at Part 1 of the 2027 Guards in the state of North Carolina to keep an eye on as the grassroots season gets underway.</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>There's no better time to sign up for PrepHoopsNC! Get 30% OFF payment on your first billing cycle with offer code: JAYANDERSON30, sign up <a href="https://prephoops.com/subscribe">TODAY</a>!</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1280889"],"_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":"Smith is coming off a high school season which saw him turn around a Lincolnton High squad that went 9-17 in 2022-23 into a 2A NCHSAA Playoff contender with a 20-8 record. He's a lights out sharpshooter who can fill it up in a hurry after producing 32.2 PPG as a freshman on varsity. He'll be a name to keep a close eye on on the EYBL stage this weekend as he suits up with [program_tooltip program_id='2226228' first='Team' last='CP3'].","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["2301226"],"_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":"Nixon is another 2027 prospect who climbed up the PH radar this past season with Kings Mountain High in the NCHSAA 3A ranks. He'll be one to watch with [program_tooltip program_id='2078535' first='Team' last='Charlotte'] on the UAA scene given his athleticism and shot-making ability in the backcourt. He averaged 13.1 PPG and 5.5 RPG in his varsity debut for the Mountaineers this past season. His 68 made 3-pointers as a freshman ranked 65th in the state of North Carolina, according to MaxPreps.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1797957"],"_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":"Plata continues to climb up the PH radar following an impressive stint in the Southern Wake Academy backcourt this past season. He's a prospect in the class who's slowly finding his confidence and balance as a playmaker and scorer in the halfcourt. He'll be a name to watch with [program_tooltip program_id='2078500' first='Garner' last='Road'] on the 3SSB stage this grassroots cycle.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["2367529"],"_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":"Pulley is a prospect who climbed onto the radar this past season at Sanderson High in the varsity rotation. He exploded for a career-high 21 points to show off his exploits scoring the ball back on Jan. 30 against Cardinal Gibbons, though it came in a loss. He's an intriguing guard who's just scratching the surface of what he can do on the hardwood. As he learns to find balance attacking and distributing the ball within the offense, look for his stock to grow in the 2027 class.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["2268802"],"_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":"Phillips is another prospect on the EYBL stage to keep an eye on in the 2027 class as [program_tooltip program_id='2220892' first='Team' last='United'] looks to defend their Jr. Peach Jam crown from the inaugural season. He's a guard who's shown he can operate in a variety of ways with Huss High this year, posting 12.5 PPG, 4.8 APG, 4.5 RPG and 3.1 SPG in his varsity debut. He's an elite playmaker with the ball in his hands who can score, defend and pass at a high level.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-662a7a3702f11"} /-->