5 District 10 Guards Having Impressive Starts to the AAU Season

District 10 showed some excellent guard play during the high school season, and it's spilling over into the early stages of AAU. These five guards have stood out so far.    Tykie Butler has shown off dynamic playmaking abilities, defensive tenacity, and leadership qualities. Butler's quick first step helps create scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates. His offensive confidence has grown over the last year. Defensively, Butler shows relentless on-ball pressure and quick hands. At a recent event, a college coach told me "Tykie Butler is one of the best on-to-ball defenders I've seen all weekend."     [player_tooltip player_id='2466501' first='Nando' last='Mirarchi'] has emerged as a standout performer in the early stages of the spring AAU sessions. His exceptional shooting range, playmaking abilities, and leadership qualities have garnered attention from college programs. Mirarchi's ability to shoot from NBA range forces defenders to extend their coverage, creating opportunities for his teammates. His court vision and decision-making skills make him an effective facilitator, while his defensive tenacity adds to his all-around game. There is zero doubt in my mind that Mirarchi can defend anyone at the next level.     Alex Price's offensive game is evident in his ability to score efficiently from various spots on the court. He boasts a reliable mid-range game, particularly excelling at pulling up off the dribble. Price shows excellent basketball IQ during fast-break situations, making intelligent decisions and finishing well at the rim despite being a bit undersized. Defensively, he does not shy away from contact and uses his physicality to his advantage, both in on-ball defense and when fighting through screens.     Casey Darr has added quite a bit of polish to his game. A returning floor general who already carried a reputation as a gritty on-ball defender, Darr now pairs that calling card with an expanding offensive arsenal. That said, Darr continues to hang his hat on stopping people. He slides laterally with far more quick-twitch burst than his frame suggests and anticipates passing lanes, routinely turning deflections into live-ball steals that ignite transition chances. Because he takes the assignment of guarding the opponent's best perimeter scorer, teammates feed off his energy. The biggest leap I've seen is in his shooting confidence. Defenses that sag to contain drivers are now paying the price—Darr sets his feet quickly and buries the jumper.     Demario Smith has had an eye‑catching start to the spring AAU circuit. Coming off an outstanding JV season in which he flashed both scoring punch and playmaking ability, Smith has translated his game against travel‑ball competition. Offensively, he stands out for his shooting range and confidence. When opponents close out hard, his explosive first step lets him blow by and finish at the rim with either hand. However, Smith is more than a scorer. He reads the floor well, pushes the ball early in transition, and shows natural point‑guard instincts. That willingness to share the ball, combined with a calm handle and poised decision‑making, has helped his teams play at a fast pace with few turnovers. Coaches also praise his composure and work ethic. Because Smith spent most of the high‑school season behind elite upperclassmen like Nando Mirarchi and Ahmari Horton, his breakout this spring has surprised those who hadn't seen him in extended minutes. With several live periods still ahead, Smith's stock is rising quickly.

District 10 showed some excellent guard play during the high school season, and it's spilling over into the early stages of AAU. These five guards have stood out so far.