2025 Noisemakers: Talented Guards

I've never seen a time where we have more talent at the guard position than today. The game has evolved to favor guard play, and you can imagine how big the talent pool is in a state the size of Texas. Below are a handful of players you'll want to be sure and catch during their upcoming season.    Carmelo is a lengthy, quick point guard with excellent ballhandling skills. He uses his handle to get out of virtually any jam and he has the court vision and IQ to find open teammates consistently throughout the game for high-percentage opportunities. He's got a deadly crossover that can shake the best of lockdown defenders and he shows an impressive ability to think quickly on his feet and make good decisions at the drop of a hat. He's the opposite of reckless - despite his elite speed, he's smart and slows himself down when surveying the floor to make his next decision on offense. He's got a solid jumper and can sink it from beyond the three-point line when he's not creating chaos for his opponent in the paint. His quickness elevates his defense and makes him a strong two-way player - showing consistent hustle to stay in front of his man and frustrate them into turnovers and bad decisions. Martinez is going to make a ton of noise this upcoming season and he's one to be sure and catch when you get the chance.     Easton has a mid-range and three-point shooting ability that is as smooth as butter. He moves fantastically without the ball and knows how to get to his favorite spots on the floor with ease. He's extremely dangerous as a catch-and-shoot threat, but that's not all he does. He has the ability to drive either direction on his opponents and he doesn't shy away from capitalizing in the paint - whether that be a sweet drive and kick for an easy bucket for a teammate or putting his head down and getting a basket himself. Hupp is vocal and confident and he makes good decisions on the court. He knows what he's good at and he does those things extremely well. He's a key piece to have on any winning team. Easton is already garnering attention and I expect that to increase even more this upcoming season.     KJ is a combo guard that can shoot lights out with beautiful form. He's incredibly fast, so if the shot's not there for him, he'll turn on the afterburners and use his handle to leave his defender huffing and puffing in a cloud of dust while they watch him add to his point total. He's got incredibly quick hands that he puts to use on the defensive end - swiping steals and leading the fast break for his squad in the opposite direction. He's the first to loose balls every time and he has impressive hang time - which he'll use to contort his body in mid-air and get himself the best look at the basket for an easy score. KJ is smooth from mid-range and behind the arc, but he's a monster in the paint. His downhill burst can be absolutely unstoppable and he'll dunk on his opponents' heads if they're not careful. Williams is a solid rim protector on the break as well - always looking for chase-down block opportunities, anything that can help his team. KJ will only continue to make waves this season and I expect them to get bigger and bigger.     Myles is an elite decision-maker on the hardwood and he's got a floater that will make you sing. He's a marksman from beyond the arc and knows how to position the ball on the drive to protect himself from the lengthiest of defenders on the way to two more points. His passing ability is next level - no-look, cross-court, scoop to the corner, bounce through the thinnest of lanes - he's always making his teammates better and he very seldom turns the ball over. He prides himself on being an excellent two-way combo guard and that's made apparent through his work on defense. Stays in front of his man, creates disruptions and steals consistently, and never takes a play off on either end of the floor. Fernandez is one of the hardest workers on the defensive end that I've seen recently. Myles is set to garner significant attention this upcoming season and the amount of work he puts in warrants exactly that.     Tosin is a big and strong combo guard that can often defeat his opposition using muscle alone. Pair that with his solid shooting ability, excellent decision-making, and getting buckets consistently through contact and you've got yourself a guard that's going to make a ton of noise for your squad. I love Tosin's physicality - if the shot's not there for him, he drives with force to the key and bangs bodies to get the hoop and the foul. He's smart on the floor and doesn't often take the first shot available. He has the talent and skill to work his way through the possession and get himself or a teammate the highest-percentage shot opportunity available. He's always moving, always involved on every play, and constantly makes positive impact plays for his team. Tosin is a must-see when you have the opportunity and I can't wait to see all the attention he gets this upcoming season.

I've never seen a time where we have more talent at the guard position than today. The game has evolved to favor guard play, and you can imagine how big the talent pool is in a state the size of Texas. Below are a handful of players you'll want to be sure and catch during their upcoming season.