Hoops and Beyond 2027 Guards

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Hoops Missouri takes a look at a talented group of Class of 2027 guards/wings who we watched at the Hoops and Beyond Summer Showcase at Webster Groves.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2455206,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/IMG_3479.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/IMG_3479.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2455206" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2334905' first='Gassim' last='Toure'] (Principia): The 6'3" combo guard was one of the most explosive players that I watched during the weekend. When he wanted to get to the basket, which was often, it was very difficult to stay in front of him with his quick first step and ability to accelerate. He had some big finishes at the rim, including a big two-handed dunk in traffic in bracket play against Chaminade. He is definitely one of the state's top backcourt prospects.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2455309,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/IMG_3405.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/IMG_3405.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2455309" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Calvin Nelson (Miller Career Academy): A dynamic 5'7" point guard who was one of the smallest players in the event, but he was also one of the most exciting. In a game I watched against Helias, he rallied his team back from a big deficit with some electric 3-point shooting. He was pulling up and hitting shots from well beyond the 3-point line. He has tremendous speed and quickness in the open court to beat defenders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2455310,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/IMG_3115.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/IMG_3115.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2455310" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2528034' first='Jahi' last='Martin'] (Francis Howell): A 6'0" point guard who is an impressive offensive player. He really does a good job of running the pick-and-roll as he can get downhill to get a bucket with his strength. If a defender goes under the screen, he would jump up and hit the 3-pointer. He is never in a hurry to get what he wants on offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2455312,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/IMG_3385.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/IMG_3385.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2455312" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jordan Bauman (Capital City): A 6'0" point guard who is physically strong and has a nice change of pace game. He is capable of getting to his spots to hit the pull up jumpers in the middle area. He also knocked down a couple of 3-pointers in the game that I watched. He does a good job of playing at his own speed while getting his teammates involved.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2455314,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/IMG_3141.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/IMG_3141.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2455314" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2528025' first='Sebastian' last='Bolden'] (Clayton): A 5'10" point guard who plays a very smooth and assuming game. He is an excellent 3-point shooter with a nice perimeter stroke from well beyond the line. He has good handles and playmaking ability and he plays the game under control and at his own pace.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2441726,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/Wyatt-Slay.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/Wyatt-Slay.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2441726" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2348237' first='Wyatt' last='Slay'] (Principia): A 6'3" wing player who has really emerged as an excellent all-purpose player. He is capable of guarding multiple positions with his size and strength. He is strong enough to guard bigger players inside and he can handle himself well on the perimeter. He is an excellent rebounder who will also get loose balls and extra possessions for his team. He can also knock down open perimeter shots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2455316,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/IMG_3174.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/IMG_3174.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2455316" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2528216' first='Jordan' last='Sykes'] (Helias): A 5'9" point guard who comes from a family of talented small guards from his father to his two older brothers. He has excellent athleticism and he is fearless when he attacks the basket. He's a whirling dervish who can also knock down open 3-pointers. He also showed toughness and unselfishness when he tried to take a charge against a player who was about a foot taller and about 75 pounds heavier.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2443325,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/IMG_2696.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/IMG_2696.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2443325" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2346070' first='Phillip' last='Jones'] (University City): A 6'0" point guard who has good quickness and a bit of an old school feel to his game. He's always probing the defense to get himself into the lane and he is good at backing down the defender to get to his spot. He is also a good rebounder from the guard position and he plays solid defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->