Northern Colorado Preview: Productive Point Guards of 2026

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These lead guards have found either longstanding or recent success handling the rock, setting up the offense for their team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1509232"],"_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-670eacb7c9369"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Smiley follows an incredibly productive club season, working to round out his offensive skill set. Already a physical lead guard who finds ways to draw in the defense, he commands plenty of gravity with the ball. An area of intrigue is the shotmaking profile from behind the arc, developing his abilities out of the pick and roll. Gearing up for an even more productive season, Smiley has a great shot to stay the leading scorer in the Northern League. Recently finding success above the rim, the guard has gotten more effective swatting away shots at the rim or throwing down powerful dunks. Particularly last season at Windsor, Smiley put up 16.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.6 assists while converting 50% of his shot attempts. This all follows a trip to the 5A finals last season, no small feat.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1764303"],"_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-670eacb7c93c7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gonzales brings skill with the ball, among the most energizing lead guards in this class. Adept at controlling the pace versus tight ball pressure, he is among a handful of true point guards in the state. Part of what has allowed the undersized guard to maintain success has been his facilitating abilities, adept at threading the needle through tight windows. This all follows averages of 16.5 points and 6.5 assists per game, set to control the flow for this group for the coming seasons. He is no slouch on the defensive end, adept at reading the floor to intercept passing lanes or pick the pocket of his opponent.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2478523"],"_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-670eacb7c940c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kheng is at his best while attacking the basket, a physical backcourt presence up at Skyline. Returning as the leader in points, assists, and rebounds following the departure of multiple key seniors, the guard is set for a big role this season. Putting up 9.8 points, 4 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game, the guard will be the offensive engine for the new look group.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1622237"],"_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-670eacb7c948c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Burton's tight handle paired with his willingness to get deep into the paint for finishes or kickouts makes him a name set to break out at Frederick. Bringing smooth footwork once anchored in the paint, he is rarely sped up by opposing defenses. Burton brings productivity, following success last season with averages of 6.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game. While a dependable scoring option in the paint, Burton still has room for growth behind the arc, the next step to rounding out his offensive game.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1622284"],"_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-670eacb7c94ca"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lechuga has the ball on a string, allowing him opportunities to playmake out of ball screens. He showed upside as a shot creator from distance or the mid-range, smoothly rising up from all three levels. As he continues to get more comfortable facilitating in the halfcourt, Frederick shows plenty of upside with their wealth of backcourt playmakers.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1622320"],"_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-670eacb7c944d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Continuing to provide value handling the rock, the guard repeatedly set up teammates with great looks over the course of the summer. Primed for opportunities at the point or as a secondary, his ball skills and court vision will be essential to maximize this group's size in the frontcourt. Nesbitt remains at his best in the fullcourt, ready for the extra pass, working to set up his teammates.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->