Pittsburgh Jam Fest: 2025 Guard Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Hoop Group Pittsburgh Jam Fest concluded this weekend with over 600 teams trying to take home bracket championships. The 2025 class made plays throughout the weekend, especially in the backcourt. Here are some of the 2025 guard standouts from the Hoop Group Pittsburgh Jam Fest.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2242375' first='Shane' last='Crissman'], 6'6 SG [program_tooltip program_id='2078813' first='VA' last='Premier'] (Miller School)</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Crissman had a big showing at the Hoop Group Pittsburgh Jam Fest as he torched the nets from distance. The 6'6 guard showed a smooth release on his jumper and shot the ball with confidence from behind the arc. Crissman moved well without the ball in his hands, freeing himself for open layups and jumpers in the halfcourt. He also showed the ability to put the ball on the floor and slid his feet on the defensive end. Crissman is a sharp-shooting guard prospect who should continue to drill jumpers from distance throughout the spring and summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Jalen Harper, 6'4 PG Shoreshots Rio UAA (Newman School)</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Harper made plays for Shoreshots Rio UAA all weekend as he helped them win the 17U Platinum bracket. The 6'4 guard was aggressive attacking the basket as he finished in a number of ways around the rim and was unafraid of drawing contact. Harper used his handle to get to his spot on the floor and rarely forced the issue in the halfcourt. He pushed the tempo well in transition and showed the ability to defend both backcourt spots. Harper is set for a big opening UAA Next session in Rock Hill, South Carolina next weekend if he maintains his play from the Pittsburgh Jam Fest.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1411410' first='Keith' last='McKnight'], 6'5 SG PSA Cardinals (Hudson Catholic)</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McKnight had a strong showing for the PSA Cardinals as he made plays down the stretch on Championship Sunday. The 6'5 guard used his quick first step to beat his defender off the bounce and finished nicely around the basket. McKnight moved well within the flow of the offense and was able to find open teammates in the halfcourt. He used his length to create deflections on the defensive end, which turned into fastbreaks and layups in transition. McKnight is a lanky guard prospect whose ability to make plays on both ends of the floor will help his stock in a big way this spring. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1413218' first='Ryan' last='Goldman'], 6'3 SG NJ Panthers HGSL (Ramapo)</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Goldman had a big weekend for the NJ Panthers HGSL team as he showed the ability to score the ball in multiple ways. The 6'3 guard showed a good touch in the mid-range and rarely forced shots in the halfcourt. Goldman set his before he shot and released the ball with confidence from behind the arc. He scrapped for offensive rebounds and was able to finish through contact around the basket. Goldman is a gritty guard prospect who has the chance to raise his stock in a big way this spring and summer with more performances like he had this past weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1483438' first='Peyton' last='Miller'], 6'1 PG Epic Elite (St. Peter's Prep)</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Miller was dynamic with the ball in his hands this weekend as he was fun to watch in the games he played. The 6'1 guard used his tight handle to consistently get into the lane off the dribble and finished nicely around the basket. Miller showed the ability to play off the ball as well and did not get rattled by on-ball pressure. He played solid on-ball defense as he made it hard for his man to get to his spot on the floor. Miller is an electric guard prospect who has the potential to make this spring and summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->