West Mania: 17u Playmaking Guards

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA — The MADE Hoops and EHA Circuit collaboration put together another strong event in the Southern California area this weekend. The event featured a collection of show company teams from the EYBL, 3SSB and Puma circuits in addition to many of the top independent teams out west. Below we break down the top playmaking guards we saw among the 17u programs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Aiden McIntyre | 2026 | Team Build Up (CA)</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McIntyre is flying under-the-radar among west coast guards but he deserves to be in the conversation with SoCal's best point guards in the 2026 class. The quick-twitch lefty has great blow-by speed in transition and half-court situations and gets downhill to the rim for crafty finishes. McIntyre can get paint touches out of ball screens and his ability to put pressure on the rim draws in the defense and allows him to create for teammates.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Camarion Bead | 2026 | AAO Flight (AR)</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bead was one of the more solid all-around guards we watched in this event. The 6-foot-1 junior impacted the game in a variety of ways and was efficient with his offensive touches. The Bryant (AR) high school product used his physical frame and length to get by perimeter defenders off the bounce and to the rim where he finished through contact. Bead was at his best when controlling and managing the game and getting his teammates involved with drive and kick opportunities.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Jaelon Germany | 2026 | Houston Hoops (TX)</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Germany showed the ability to set the table for teammates at a high level. His pace, vision and ability to get into the lane and play off of two feet opened up the floor for his team. Germany's presence and command for the point guard position stood out in transition situations where he attacked the rim with control and vision and made high IQ decisions when to pass and when to score.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Jeremiah Hunt | 2026 | Cali Rebels (CA)</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The game comes easy to Hunt and he should be one of the biggest stock risers out west in the 2026 class. The 6-foot-2 guard plays with great feel and pace, understands how to manage scoring and distributing and doesn't force the issue offensively. Hunt can score in a variety of ways from crafty finishes over rim protectors to pull-up mid-range jumpers and three's off the catch and off the bounce.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Logan Haustveit | 2026 | Utah Prospects</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Haustveit is of the "true" point guard mold in that he brings an unselfish, pass-first mindset to the floor. The 5-foot-10 dual-sport athlete keeps his eyes up the floor in transition, advances the ball to open teammates and keeps the game simple by running offense, moving the ball and getting his teammates involved.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Cello Jackson | 2026 | Nightrydas (FL)</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jackson is a bigger guard who understands how to use his size and strength to get to his spots where he can be effective. The 6-foot-4, 200-pound junior has the ball skills and feel on the perimeter to create for himself and others off the bounce. He has some throwback feel to his offensive game in his ability to score craftily around the basket and use his physical tools to take advantage of smaller defenders inside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">TJ Harris | 2026 | AZ Factory</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Harris has great speed and quickness in open court and transition settings and uses it to blow-by defenders for paint touches where he can score or create for others. The 6-footer flashed his crafty finishing package around the basket but also knocked down mid-range and three-point jumpers off the bounce.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->