In the Queue: My Favorite ’27 and ’28s

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Put these young 802 hoopers on your radar! There's an electricity to this group; they all play with agile vigor, always ready to make an impact on either end. Plus, if you're looking for some <em>actual </em>PGs, you'll find a few in here. Let's go!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2711459' first='Pascal' last='Munezero'], 5'8 G - Burlington H.S. Class of 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hands down one of the best players in the state, Pascal's a natural PG with a defensive motor. That motor combines with his outstanding athleticism + strength to equal constant disruption. Ballhandlers fear his fullcourt pressure as he gets in their jersey, turns them repeatedly, forces TOs, and can recover on anything. Moreover, his off-ball anticipation is just at worrisome. It creates countless transition opportunities, which is where Pascal thrives. A cornerstone defender, high-IQ PG, and trusted facilitator of the O who sends the dominos falling off the bounce or the catch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2408951"],"_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-68829db155f33"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lafayette's ability to do quite literally everything for this PA squad caused quite the stir when they took down the eventual D3 champs in the regular season. Defenses threw everything at Jack, and yet he still managed to get his 3-level scoring off with athletic drives, impressive mid-range sticks, and smart 3pt shooting. Moreover, he sees the floor and balances all that creation with aware feeds, dissecting rotations. A versatile, lock down defender too, Jack can dig in on ballhandlers and plug up holes with ease. A two-way combo with all the tools to explode this spring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Michael Rodriguez Gurrero, 6'3 W - St. Johnsbury Academy Class of 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A lanky wing who enjoys space to isolate, Michael can get it going. Rodriguez Gurrero has the handle to break his defender down, get them on his hip, and score in myriad ways with that advantage. Short-range jumpers and floaters and agile inside finishes are unleashed. Moreover, I like his defensive profile; good size and athleticism with the quickness to guard down + rebound the rock. Someone to watch out for.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Owen Scott, 6'2 W - Champlain Valley Union H.S. Class of 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Owen's aggression and confidence offensively bolstered CVU, hitting shots around the rim, from elbows and short corners, and out to 3pt land with heady cuts into his spots. His interior feel/touch suggests he's been a post-player in the past, but his readiness to make a play from the wing shows his growth. Defensively dynamic, Owen can cover numerous wing and forward positions with his footwork, length, and court awareness, and he rebounds at a good clip. Owen took big steps this year both in skill and with his attack-oriented mindset.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2528166' first='Mo' last='Abdirahman'], 5'8 G - Burlington H.S. Class of 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The athletic activity from Mo manifests as hardnosed defense, quick rotations, and snappy offense. Abdirahman locks in on PGs and uses his long arms + agility to bother, or he's hunting off the ball, ready to cut off whatever the next action brings. That causes plenty of errant plays, and he's a guy who can turn TOs into buckets quickly. In the offensive halfcourt, Mo is a scoring PG who likes to create in pnr or in 5 out, able to break his man down and get to the rack with his scoring mindset. A tough two-way guy who creates a lot of opportunity.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jonah Paquette 6'0 G, Essex H.S. Class of 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The combo guard provides a lot of service with his floor spacing, comfort organizing the offense, and sharp off-ball movement. Paquette makes defenses pay with his knockdown shooting and savvy relocation, creating angles for clean shots or to attack closeouts. Yet he can come down and organize too, taking pressure off primary ballhandlers. Defensively scrappy and versatile, Jonah covers multiple positions and moves reliably in rotations. A smart, efficient guy on both sides. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sam Kyhill, 5'7 G - Fair Haven Union H.S. Class of 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A bulldog at the PG, Kyhill plays with no fear. Sam's tight handle, passing, and organization leads to effective offense inside and out, as does his ability to create an advantage off the bounce and finish craftily within the 2nd layer. Defensively, Kyhill digs in and relishes a tough matchup. His footwork is clean, his ability to corral a PG into tight spots is wise, and in turn he causes tough decisions. The IQ and feel are obvious. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2571911' first='Tyrell' last='Robertson'], 6'0 G - Burlington H.S. Class of 2028</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>His quiet demeanor can fool you; Tyrell brings it. Robertson's mind for the game, skillset, and adaptability stand out. Ty's reads and anticipation on both ends exceed his years, able to see cracks in the defense and hit cutters or read opponent actions and disrupt. Plus, he's a strong 2-level scorer at this point with a mid-range loading. With timely + aware passing, the ball doesn't stop. Lastly, he has the mindset to plug and play wherever and however necessary. A talented, team-oriented player. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brady Gangl, 6'2 G - Champlain Valley Union H.S. Class of 2028</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You see Brady and you think basketball player. Long, good height, solid frame and natural athleticism. The physical tools are complimented by a solid skillset comprised of strong slashing and defensive versatility. He moves in the offense well, finding gaps to exploit. He catches the ball ready to make a quick decision, able to finish well at the iron or keep the defense rotating. Once that jumper is dialed in, Gangl's going to be a problem.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2568419' first='Sawyer' last='Judkins'], 5'8 G -Burlington H.S. Class of 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Judkins missed much of the winter season due to injury but I would be remiss not to mention him. The southpaw has big time game with his 3-level scoring touch, shifty handle and pesky defense. Sawyer's never afraid of the big moment, hits his shots at a good clip, and understands how to collapse a defense and get the ball in open hands. When healthy, one of the best PGs in VT regardless of class. I look forward to seeing him on the floor again soon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->