WCE AZ Spring Preview: ’26 Guard Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On April 13th I attended the&nbsp;<strong>WCE AZ Spring Preview</strong>&nbsp;located at the Phhacility in Phoenix. I watched 15-17U and found some incoming talented freshmen plus some good unsigned seniors looking for college homes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Here were the top soph guards I viewed:</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1150901' first='John' last='Mattingly'] Sunnyslope (Monstarz 17)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the top scoring point guards in the entire AIA. He makes the extra pass and he understands how to changes speeds better then most in the class locally. He scores with deep jumpers beyond the three point line, pull-ups and takes contact well. He will score thru the contact or get fouled and cash in at the foul line.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2134454' first='Kameron' last='Pippen'] Palo Verde (Team RHJ 17)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A physical pure point guard is a downhill stud thru traffic. He can create his own offense off the dribble with a very shifty handle. He can rise up from mid-range, which seems to be his sweet spot and drill it. He has a quick trigger from well past the three point line and has next level court vision.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1306040' first='Hayden' last='Maynard'] Phhonenix Prep (AZ Select 16 UAA) </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A scoring point guard can shoot the three and score it inside with offensive rebound put backs showing good body control. He is a good passer with drive and kicks and he is a physical on-ball defender.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1694989' first='Brody' last='Postorino'] Notre Dame Prep (AZ Select 16 UAA)&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A combo guard who is one of the better on-ball defenders and can collect steals in bunches. He holds his ground and has good lateral quickness. He can score with euro moves in the lane and he plays from the neck up. He uses his strength and burst to get a step on a defender.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1697292' first='Rylan' last='Parsley'] Sandra Day (AZ Select 16 UAA)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A scoring wing with easy above the rim bounce on the break. He can score in the post with good footwork and go up to score. His catch three can be a weapon in college and can score with either hand. He will crash the glass on both sides of the court and when he is rolling, he is hard to stop. He had 20+ points.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2275986' first='KJ' last='Fauske'] Seton Catholic Prep (AZ Select 16 UAA)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A true combo guard sees the court well to make a play. He will give up a good shot for a better one. He scores it with his jumpers from both levels and may have the quickest release of anyone in state and comes with range beyond the three point line. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1832786' first='Marcus' last='Murray'] Sunrise Mountain (AZ Select 16 UAA)&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A rare pure point guard has a tight handle with real speed. He is very quick with the ball in his hands and will burst to the basket and use the floater game. He is very quick on the defensive end with impressive lateral quickness. He has next level court vision and will dime his teammates in stride.  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2249642' first='Travon' last='Howard'] ALA West Foothills (AZ Legacy 16 Elite)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An all-around combo guard can play and defend multiple positions. He can grab the ball off the glass and push it up the court like a point guard and find a teammate. He moves the ball well and he can let it fly from the three point line with range.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2414049' first='Ryan' last='Milner'] Horizon (Peak 16 Gold)&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A decent sized scoring point guard is a newcomer for me. He can score with the catch three and he can create his own offense with a nice handle and a little shift. He is quick in the passing lanes to collect steals and should have a breakout season for the Huskies.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2412264' first='Ty' last='Ty Bynum'] Valley Vista (AZ Legacy 16 Elite) (Pictured) </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An athletic scoring guard is another newcomer for me. He can score in transition with his speed and athleticism and shoot it from the three point line. He can pull-up from mid-range, fall away from his defender and get to the basket off the dribble.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->