Underrated Junior Guards to Watch this Summer
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As the AAU season kicks into high gear, the spotlight is shifting to the summer circuit. These junior’s played significant roles during the high school season, and they’re poised to shine even brighter if they can make waves on the…
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Continue ReadingAs the AAU season kicks into high gear, the spotlight is shifting to the summer circuit. These junior’s played significant roles during the high school season, and they’re poised to shine even brighter if they can make waves on the AAU stage. Keep these seven juniors on your radar this summer:
Jaysen Moise Jaysen Moise 6'1" | PG Seneca Valley | 2025 State MD
6’1 combo guard Jaysen Moise Jaysen Moise 6'1" | PG Seneca Valley | 2025 State MD possesses an electrifying first step and remarkable shiftiness off the dribble. Watching him play the first thing you notice is his ability to maneuver through defenders and how he uses space to create scoring opportunities both for himself and his teammates. Moise is balanced when attacking the basket, allowing him to finish effectively even with tight defense — using his finesse and the backboard to his advantage.
He’s confident pulling up in the midrange and he has a penchant for converting difficult shots. An assertive player, Moise is above average working the pick-and-roll, as he’s proficient attacking with either hand. He has a preference for driving left, often using his hesitation dribble to throw off defenders. Already a solid passer, Moise consistently makes smart decisions when driving towards the basket. His ability to read the defense and find open teammates adds another dimension to his game.
Moise’s potential is evident as he continues to develop physically. To further elevate his game, he’ll need to focus on refining his ball-handling skills and incorporating more counters into his offensive bag. Although he’s solid as a mid range shooter, improving his shooting at all levels comfort levels — particularly free throws, catch-and-shoot threes, and pull-up threes — would make him even more formidable on offense.
Despite his guard position, Moise plays with grit, willingly sticking his nose in rebounding battles and showing real commitment on the defensive end of the floor.
Isaiah Lee
A sweet-shooting lefty from Montgomery county, Isaiah Lee has worked himself into a standout off-ball scorer with a diverse offensive arsenal. His ability to score in key areas of the court — threes off the catch and on the move, and aggressive drives to the rim — make him a truly dynamic player on the court.
Lee’s off-ball movement and advanced footwork net him consistent scoring opportunities. Whether curling around screens or slashing through the defense, he exhibits a high basketball IQ in creating space for himself to get off quality shots, particularly from beyond the arc. He’s gets his shot off quickly, staying decently efficient despite the volume and difficulty of his attempts. He’s reliable finishing in the paint, where he demonstrates coordination and ambidexterity converting around the rim.
Lee’s an intelligent decision-maker, using his off ball movement to generate better shots for his team. He needs to refine his shot selection, particularly diversyfing his shot distribution to maximize efficiency.
Kamali Burns
Kamali Burns embodies on court leadership, serving as the quintessential “extension of the coach” as a point guard for the Bowie Bulldogs. With a maturity beyond his years, Burns seems to approach each game with the same steady demeanor, with fluid transitions from driving to the rim to executing floaters and delivering on-time passes. He grades as an elite ball handler, calmly navigating through ball pressure situations and using his strength and low center of gravity to penetrate defenses effectively.
His understanding of the game has tangible impact, you’ll see him actively directing teammates to the right position, ensuring the ball finds its way to the right hands. While Burns has the potential to be a prolific scorer, his best skill is his ability to read the game and orchestrate an offense, filling gaps in his role as facilitator and game manager. Defensively, he’s an asset. He’s intense when guarding, with engaged, active hands, quick feet, and sound positional awareness.
Amadou Kaloga Amadou Kaloga 6'0" | PG Laurel | 2025 MD
Playing point guard for a solid Laurel team this season, Amadou Kaloga Amadou Kaloga 6'0" | PG Laurel | 2025 MD showed substantial growth as an on-ball shot creator, excelling both as a primary scorer and as a threat off the ball. His standout feature is certainly his jumpshot. Kaloga has a quick release, and is great at getting into shooting position in one fluid motion, feet squared to consistently knock down shots from midrange and beyond the arc.
At 6’0, Kaloga’s confidence and effectiveness when attacking the rim stand out. He uses unorthodox finishes to navigate through tough angles and convert floaters with impressive efficiency. His ball-handling skills are solid, as a one on one matchup he’s able to cleanly maneuver past defenders to create scoring opportunities for himself. As he continues to tighten up his ball-handling he has the potential to take on a greater playmaking role, using his scoring to draw multiple defenders and set up teammates.
With innate scoring ability and the potential to expand his role as a facilitator, Kaloga projects as a “microwave scorer” capable of putting up numbers in big bursts and making significant impact on a game. With a big summer ahead, watch out for Kaloga on his AAU team the DC Blue Devils.
Evan Brown Evan Brown 6'1" | PG Whitman | 2025 State MD
Evan Brown Evan Brown 6'1" | PG Whitman | 2025 State MD ‘s performance in the Class 4A title game was emblematic of his play and impact throughout the season for Walt Whitman. As part of an offensive juggernaut alongside teammates Thomas Farrell Thomas Farrell 6'0" | SG Whitman | 2024 State MD and Titian DeRosa Titian DeRosa 5'8" | PG Whitman | 2025 State MD , Brown displayed impressive command of the game and an ability to become a dominating force on both ends of the court.
With speed and agility, Brown knifes through defensive matchups with relative ease, fearlessly attacking the rim possession after possession. His 6’2 frame lets him absorb contact and finish at the basket with a soft touch that allows him to convert through traffic consistently. Brown’s efficiency is noteworthy — he’s a valuable asset whether operating on, or off the ball. Despite lower volume from beyond the arc, his ability to knock it down from deep adds a significant dimension to his offensive game given his attacking tendencies.
A well-rounded player, Brown contributes across all facets of the game. You feel confident with the ball in his hands, due to his ability to generate quality scoring opportunities. He takes over games as a one-man fast break, converting offense to defense with relentless pace and smart decision-making.
Defensively, Brown remains solid, ensuring that his scoring contributions are not negated by a lax approach on the other end. With the Thomas Farrell Thomas Farrell 6'0" | SG Whitman | 2024 State MD ‘s graduation, Brown is poised to assume an even larger role in his senior year — with a breakout season on the horizon along with increased touches and responsibilities.
Jermaine Taylor Jermaine Taylor 6'0" | CG Laurel | 2025 MD
Laurel’s Jermaine Taylor Jermaine Taylor 6'0" | CG Laurel | 2025 MD is an electrifying offensive talent, capable of putting an offense on his back as a 19 ppg scorer. Taylor’s diverse skill set makes him a reliable option for a bucket in any situation. Taylor’s shooting is truly exceptional, his quick release and pinpoint accuracy make him a threat once he crosses halfcourt. He shows incredible confidence in taking and making difficult shots, with the ability to score at all three levels efficiently.
Beyond his shooting ability, Taylor excels as a versatile scorer, equally comfortable cutting to the basket or pulling up off the dribble. His range extends beyond the high school three-point line, and he consistently converts from deep at a high percentage. In clutch moments, Taylor thrives as a go-to option, fearlessly taking and making shots with the game on the line. His agility and ball-handling skills allow him to navigate through tight defenses, effortlessly creating the space needed to get off quality looks.
His impact extends beyond scoring, as his presence as a lead guard commands defensive attention that opens up opportunities for his teammates. With each passing year, he’s improved as a playmaker and decision-maker, so there’s a trend towards the continuous evolution of his game. Moving forward, that development as a playmaker and creator off the dribble will be key to unlocking the full potential of his game.
Titian DeRosa Titian DeRosa 5'8" | PG Whitman | 2025 State MD
Titian DeRosa Titian DeRosa 5'8" | PG Whitman | 2025 State MD ‘s finishing ability defies his 5’8 frame. Game after game, DeRosa showcased a knack for converting acrobatic finishes at the rim, alternating with teammate Evan Brown Evan Brown 6'1" | PG Whitman | 2025 State MD for highlight-reel plays. He plays with remarkable control and intensity, keeping opponents in a constant backpedal with relentless drives to the basket. His tenacity and fearless demeanor make him a force to be reckoned with, as he attacks the rim against larger defenders.
His impact extends beyond scoring — he’s a noticeable presence on the boards despite his stature. In addition to his finishing ability, DeRosa’s solid shooting, particularly from the free-throw line, makes him a plus offensive player. His aggressive style of play often results in frequent trips to the charity stripe.
DeRosa maximizes his strengths and compensates for any perceived limitations with tenacious play and an enviable work ethic on the court. His ability to excel in multiple facets of the game make him a valuable asset to a winning program.