#PHChiTownTipOff: Max’s Guard Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Seven of the top guards I saw over the weekend in Chicago at the Prep Hoops Chi-Town Tip Off!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2531961"],"_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-67ffae15964ac"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Amarion had one of the best performances I saw out of any prospect all weekend. In a highly anticipated matchup with AyoDos Elite, Amarion was making play after play to push [program_tooltip program_id='2452456' first='Mac' last='Irvin Fire'] to a win. His pace makes him extremely unpredictable coming off screens, as he can utilize the screen to get downhill, or hesitate and reject the screen, going the opposite direction to get into a pull-up jumper. Even in a fast paced game that was out of control early on, Amarion never really looked sped up or uncomfortable. Showed impressive body control on some difficult finishes at the rim. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2423423"],"_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-67ffae159652b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Playing up at the 17u level, Braylon didn't look out of place for a second. The 2027 guard is such a versatile player as he was comfortably pulling up for deep threes, defended a number of spots out on the perimeter, rebounded well as a guard, and showcased some impressive body control inside. He has the explosive athleticism to just hang in the air to finish through contact, and also got up for a two handed dunk in the second half of the game I watched. Really like the pace he plays with, capable of lulling his defender to sleep before exploding to the rim.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2831276"],"_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-67ffae159658c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Johnny is an unselfish player who was constantly creating good looks for his teammates in the two games I watched over the weekend. He just found ways to get into the lane, and from there was able to kick it out to his shooters, or thread the needle to one of his forwards stepping in from the dunker spot. Was at his best as a facilitator, but recognized when he had the space to go up and finish on his own. Has a long frame at 6' that helps him get up in passing lanes on the defensive end. Averaged 3.8 assists per game as a sophomore, including 9 in the playoffs against eventual state champs Milwaukee Academy of Science.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2553904"],"_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-67ffae15965df"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">J'cobi had a monster performance against [program_tooltip program_id='2452456' first='Mac' last='Irvin Fire'] 15u on Saturday morning. Despite the loss, Mathis had his team in it until the very end, all while playing without subs and ending the game with just four players on the floor. He has limitless confidence offensively, able to pull up for deep threes, or got at the trees and finish at the rim. He brought a ton of energy to the floor, and was getting fired up after every bucket his team scored. [program_tooltip program_id='2452456' first='Mac' last='Irvin Fire'] has a talented group of guards, and J'cobi was going back and forth with them all game long to make it one of the best games of the weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1561921"],"_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-67ffae1596637"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Tyler was likely up with the event leaders in charges taken. The Whitnall guard excels at sliding his feet to beat his man to the spot and drawing contact. Whether it's coming from defending on the ball, or getting into good help-side position, Tyler is going to draw multiple charges just about every game. Offensively he's no slouch either, as he was a consistent scoring presence for [program_tooltip program_id='2391400' first='Team' last='Herro']. He's fearless attacking against size, and is so crafty with finding various angles to finish against taller players. Looks ready to step into a bigger role for Whitnall as a senior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1561882"],"_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-67ffae1596687"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[program_tooltip program_id='2828974' first='Manitowoc' last='United'] plays some of the best team basketball you'll see out of anyone this spring/summer. A big part of that is the unselfish play of [player_tooltip player_id='1561882' first='Micah' last='Kubsch']. The ball never seems to stick in his hands, and he excels at getting into the lane to create openings for his teammates. At 5'6 he's able to effortlessly weave through defenders to get into the lane, and from there he has the vision to pick out any open teammate. He's just constantly looking to create good looks for his teammates. When left open though he can torch you from three on his own.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2834186"],"_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-67ffae15966e1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Nigel had some of the most impressive finishes I saw all weekend. The freshman guard has the rare ability to contort his body in mid-air, and finish from the most difficult of angles in traffic. Against [program_tooltip program_id='2452456' first='Mac' last='Irvin Fire'], the 5'10 guard took off from the edge of the lane, and converted on a 360 lay-up around a defender. Also has a high arcing three point shot with the ability to create his own looks off the dribble. Exciting young guard to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->