2025 Rankings: New Guards

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this article I feature previously unranked guards that performed well this past season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Many of them have the ability to take care of the rock, and they can also get a bucket if needed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2797885"],"_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-67ca26597b70e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2797885' first='Tayden' last='Francis'] jumps into the rankings due to his hustle, athleticism and ability to make tough shots. He has some shiftiness to him, which allows him to beat defenders. On defense, he brings his lateral quickness to the table and he stays active with his hands.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stats - 12.8 PPG</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2797890"],"_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-67ca26597b79c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2797890' first='Djrevan' last='Demick'] caught my attention at the state semifinals. He is fairly agile, and is also an adequate ball-handler. Althought Mater East's guards threw a lot of pressure at him, he did well most of the game. Demick is also someone you can rely on defensively. He collected 2.9 steals per game this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stats - 6.5 PPG</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2797851"],"_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-67ca26597b802"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2797851' first='Imry' last='Johnson'] came on to my radar during Faith Lutheran's game with Bonanza. I noticed Johnson attacking the basket with a full head of steam, and he also made some not so easy finishes. I also believe he has the height and wingspan needed to succeed at the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stats - 5.4 PPG</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2798438"],"_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-67ca26597b84a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2798438' first='Gavin' last='Kepler'] is a defensive stud. He averaged 4.0 steals a game this season and 1.7 blocks per game. He has a tendency to anticipate his opponents passes. Kepler also doesn't give the guy he's guarding much room to operate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stats - 9.3 PPG</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2723605"],"_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-67ca26597b889"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2723605' first='Damon' last='Ameperosa'] can drive to the hoop when he really hits the gas pedal. He also has the vertical to make sure that he doesn't get blocked when he goes up with it. In addition to his offensive skills, he can play some quality defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stats - 10.2 PPG</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2798440"],"_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-67ca26597b8e3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2798440' first='Theodore' last='Edquilang'] comes into the rankings at #156. While I didn't get to see him play a ton this season, I liked what I saw from him against Faith Lutheran. He is a confident shooter and plays hard. I also noticed him looking to create shots for his teammates and he came up with the game winning assist in that game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stats - 4.5 PPG</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->