PH Nationals: Jack’s Top Performing Guards

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>This article is sponsored by VKTRY Performance Insoles - The Official Insole Provider of Prep Hoops.</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are the ten guards who impressed at the Prep Hoops National Open Championships in Minneapolis this past weekend!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1560798"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-669e9c6338fee"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lucas had a fantastic weekend, leading his team to a perfect 5-0 record and a 16U National Championship. He has automatic shooting the ball from the perimeter, creating separation from defenders off the dribble or working without the ball in the catch-and-shoot. He is a threat from well beyond the three-point line and took advantage of defenders giving him too much space. Gustafson was also relentless attacking the basket, drawing fouls and converting on tough contested finishes through traffic.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2126102"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-669e9c6339071"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jaeden is known as one of the top scorers in the state, but he impressed as a facilitator and passer this past weekend. It looks like his vision has really improved, as he played really well as his team's point guard with Kwa Silikipoh out. As usual, he was creating shots for himself on the perimeter, hitting from well beyond the three-point line. He was also converting around the rim, going to work in the half court and in transition. If Udean continues to make these kinds of improvements to his game, sky's the limit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1169136"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-669e9c63390d1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mason turned in a dominant performance in the 17U National Championship, leading [program_tooltip program_id='2075431' first='D1' last='Minnesota'] 3SSB to a blowout win over ETG 3SSB. He finished the game with a ridiculously efficient 29 points (12/15 FG), sitting the final 10+ minutes in running time. He is such a great slasher and was tough to stop from getting to the basket. He has the ability to use his athleticism to explode to the basket for high flying finishes. Klabo was also hitting shots from the perimeter off the dribble.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Nate Kelley","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77244","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Scottsbluff","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"ETG 3SSB","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-669e9c63391b4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Nate was nearly impossible to stop from getting downhill this weekend, being able to use his handle and acceleration to work around defenders. When he got inside, he converted on some incredible acrobatic finishes through traffic, leading to multiple three-point plays. The 2026 guard is also a threat from beyond the arc, knocking down shots off the catch and off the dribble.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1560807"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-669e9c633921a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Isaac continues to put his full skillset on display this summer, turning in another great weekend to finish the year. He is the perfect player to run the show for your team, being so consistent and dependable. He rarely ever turns the ball over and has great vision to get his teammates open looks. The 2026 guard can also get shots off so quickly off the dribble, constantly catching the defense off guard with deep makes from the perimeter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2285507"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-669e9c6339276"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Coriahnn was really fun to watch run the show for ETG this past weekend. He has such a tight handle and was one of the quickest players I saw. I was most impressed with his ability to create using the dribble from the perimeter. He was creating a ton of separation from defenders and hitting on some super difficult looks. He could blow by defenders to get downhill, being able to convert around the rim or kick it out to a teammate for an open look as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1579885"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-669e9c63392d3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Nolan looks much stronger and explosive this summer compared to the high school season and he was showing out this past weekend. He can score in so many different ways, being so unpredictable. I was really impressed with how he could work inside, being able to maintain control on tough finishes through lots of contact. Groves also looked good getting to his pull-up jumper in the mid-range and from three.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1560767"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-669e9c633932e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ty had a monster performance in a win on Saturday, taking over down the stretch of a game he never subbed out of. He served as his team's point guard, being able to handle the ball against pressure and create for his teammates. He was knocking down three-point looks off the dribble, but could also get inside. He is a crafty ball handler, working his way through the defense where he could cap off some tough finishes through contact.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2103372"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-669e9c6339387"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cooper turned in a solid performance in the game I saw, being able to impact the game in many positive ways. He is a knockdown shooter from the perimeter, being able to work without the ball to score, as he also had a couple layups off of backdoor cuts as well. He was effective getting to his mid-range pull-up, connecting on some really tough looks over defenders. Carlson was running in transition, which resulted in a couple scores too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1560741"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-669e9c63393e4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This was actually the first time I have been able to see Will play this AAU season, as he had a successful weekend. Most of the scoring I saw from him came inside the three-point line, being able to play at his own pace to get to his spots. He has such a smooth pull-up jumper, which he used a lot in the mid-range. He was also getting downhill for some tough layups inside, being able to finish with either hand.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->