2027 X-Factor Guards

There are players out there that just jump out at you. There's something special about them - the way they elevate their team, themselves, the fans, even their coaches. Below are a handful of student athletes that display what it means to be an absolutely crucial part of their teams.    Jack's opponents quickly learn that if they give him any sort of space, they're going to be in heaps of trouble. He's got laser-like accuracy with his three-point shot and he possesses the ability to blow by his defender if they decide to play him too close. He's got solid ballhandling ability and can switch directions based on what the defense gives him. He's not afraid to attack the paint at all and he moves incredibly well without the ball. McNair gets himself high-percentage shot opportunities with the way he scans the floor and bases his cuts on what he sees. He's got a quick release that's extremely tough to keep up with and he has a great spin on his jump shot. Jack has a solid elevation on his shots and the leg strength to shoot up and over taller defenders, which comes in handy for him frequently. Another thing that impresses me about McNair's game is his footwork - he uses his feet in the paint impressively to get to spots that are undeniable when it comes to putting the ball in the hole. Jack has a ton of time to continue growing, perfecting his fundamentals, and mastering his shot even further. I expect him to do just that this summer and next season - plenty of heads are bound to turn as a result.     Jason is QUICK and he can take it coast to coast on his opponents in mere seconds. He's not reckless, though - he shows an impressive amount of patience for someone so speedy and his basketball IQ is off the charts. I'm not surprised Wooden is a dual student athlete - most just can't keep up with his burst. He scans the floor incredibly well and doesn't hesitate to capitalize on whatever the defense gives him. His ballhandling is next level and he demonstrates his offensive versatility by showing that he can drive and beat his defender going either direction. He's talented at finishing through contact in the lane - his hang time and his focus in the air are unbelievable. He's got strong legs and he puts them to use with the elevation he regularly gets on his jumper. He's a dangerous two-way guard that can burn you in multiple ways if you're not playing your best ball. He gets after it on the defensive end as well, using his stellar vertical on that end to block shots and alter jumpers for his opponents, turning their hard shots into incredibly difficult attempts. Wooden is mature for his age, which I love to see. He communicates well and takes every opportunity to lift his teammates and others up - both on and off the court. I expect Jason to make a ton of noise this year and he already has my attention!     Kaison is a shifty, FAST point guard that knows how to lead the charge down the floor for his squad. Great ballhandling skills give him the ability to beat his defenders in either direction and he's absolutely excellent at finishing through contact. He can shake and bake the best of his defenders with a quick spin move and deadly crossover readily available in his bag at any time. He's got a beautiful touch on his shots when driving the lane - often accurately under-handing or finger-rolling it high off the glass for a high-percentage and-1 over opposing bigs attempting to protect the rim. The way he lays it up on the move reminds me a lot of Steph. Leonard has an impressive passing ability as well - consistently finding open teammates for easy buckets using the space he creates with his afterburners and aggression. Opposing coaches are often throwing multiple defenders at him because his speed and shot-making ability simply exhausts and frustrates his opponents - leaving them huffing and puffing and in foul trouble. Kaison is going to make a ton of noise this year and he's one to catch live every opportunity you get.     Harrison has the potential to turn into an AD-like prospect with his impressive size and quickly blossoming abilities. I love watching him shoot because his form, rotation, and elevation are all incredibly beautiful. He's got the body of a forward, but he moves and handles like a guard - which is a wonderful thing to find in the modern game. Jones is aggressive with quick hands and that makes him dangerous on both ends of the floor. He's got a mean Euro step and he's long and lengthy which helps him cover an immense amount of space with his strides. He has the ability and speed to blow by his defenders, but he doesn't have to use it much because he has multiple inches on most of his opposition and simply rises and sinks shots with ease. He's a two-way guard that can make his opponent regret driving into the paint with his fierce blocks and elite rebounding ability. You can play him in multiple positions and he will be unbelievably effective. Harrison will keep growing, getting better, and turning into what I assume will be an eventual superstar.     Braylon has an incredible shooting touch and impressive footwork to match. His specialty is his floater and it rarely touches anything but the bottom of the net. His court vision is excellent and he uses it effectively on both ends - dismantling his defenders and disrupting passing lanes to snatch lazy dishes and create extra opportunities for his team. His patience and elite ballhandling ability are a lethal combination on offense, allowing him to break down his opponents in multiple ways. Edwards also sets his teammates up for success with his amazing passing ability and arm strength - regularly throwing full-court and cross-court passes and delivering the ball beautifully. He uses his length and size to eat up boards on both ends of the floor and create chaos for opponents trying to get up a shot against him. I'm incredibly impressed with Braylon's all-around game - he's versatile, extremely skilled, and a team player. I expect Edwards to turn many heads this year and to keep folks talking as he continues to get better and better.

There are players out there that just jump out at you. There's something special about them - the way they elevate their team, themselves, the fans, even their coaches. Below are a handful of student athletes that display what it means to be an absolutely crucial part of their teams.