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Bigfoot Hoops: Battle in the Rockies 17U Guards Stock Heating Up

Bigfoot Hoops: Battle in the Rockies 17U Guards Stock Heating Up
Bobby Lopez
Bobby Lopez May 7, 2025 @ 07:47 AM
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In this article:

Michael Thalacker
Michael Thalacker 5'11" | PG/SG | 2027
CO
Yeriel Okal
Yeriel Okal 6'0" | PG/SG | 2026
CO
Lyrik Smith
Lyrik Smith 6'2" | SG/SF | 2026
CO
Mekhi McNeal
Mekhi McNeal 5'8" | SG | 2026
CO
Jaedon Ward
Jaedon Ward 6'4" | SG/CG | 2026
CO
<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After a weekend full of standout performances, a handful of backcourt players are seeing their stock shoot up. From sharp-shooters lighting it up from deep to floor generals controlling the tempo and locking down on defense, these guards are turning heads and making a serious case for themselves.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1577161"],"_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-681b5659bb0c6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ward was absolutely locked in this past weekend. He looked confident from the jump, creating buckets for himself with ease and setting up his teammates like a true floor general. His shot was falling and the three ball was smooth. He also had a deadly mid range jumper that no one could stop. Ward was constantly scanning the floor, finding open shooters, and making the right reads. He played with poise and vision, always one step ahead of the defense. It felt like every time he touched the ball, something good happened. Just an all-around standout performance</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2823178"],"_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-681b5659bb153"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Thalacker had himself a breakout weekend and definitely made some noise. He played like a true floor general, taking charge and leading his team with confidence. What really stood out was how easily he got past defenders. His handles and ball handling was tight, and his crossover was tough to stay in front of. He had no problem getting into the lane, where he really thrived. Whether it was a smooth layup or a soft little floater, he made it look easy. His ability to break down defenses and create looks inside made a big impact. He's definitely one to keep an eye on moving forward</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2816798"],"_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-681b5659bb1cd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Smith had a solid breakout showing and really put his skill set on display. He was a scoring machine all weekend, finding ways to get buckets from all over the floor. Smith was knocking down jumpers, finishing at the rim, or pulling up in the midrange or deep, he had it all working. He brought the energy on defense too, staying in front of his man, playing physical, and staying active with his hands to force turnovers. He played with confidence and hustle on both ends and it was definitely a standout performance and a name to remember</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2817483"],"_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-681b5659bb243"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Okal had big time showcase showing out on both ends of the floor. Offensively, he hit shots from deep, pulled up in the midrange, and attacked the rim with confidence. He kept the ball moving, made the right reads, and got his teammates involved. His ability to create offense in different ways made him a constant threat every time he touched the ball. On the defensive end Okal locked in on his matchups, moved his feet well, and stayed disciplined. Whether it was poking the ball loose or jumping passing lanes he was all over the place. That two-way effort made a huge difference and helped set the tone for his team. It was the kind of all-around performance that turns heads</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2386535"],"_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-681b5659bb2b8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">McNeal was your classic shooting guard this past weekend — smooth, confident, and just everywhere on the court. He had the green light and made the most of it, knocking down shots from all three levels with ease. Whether it was a pull-up, a corner three, or a tough finish at the rim, he made it look natural. What really stood out, though, was his feel for the game. His instincts were on point and McNeal never forced anything, just made the right reads and took smart shots. You saw that he knew exactly when to shoot, when to pass, and where to be. Just a really composed, high-IQ performance that gave his team a big boost</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->

After a weekend full of standout performances, a handful of backcourt players are seeing their stock shoot up. From sharp-shooters lighting it up from deep to floor generals controlling the tempo and locking down on defense, these guards are turning heads and making a serious case for themselves.

Jaedon Ward

Jaedon Ward

CO
SG/CG
HEIGHT 6'4"
POS SG/CG
CLASS 2026
View Player
​
Jaedon
Ward SG/CG
Class
2026
Height
6'4"
HS
Legacy
|
CO
Bigfoot Hoops: Battle in the Rockies 17U Guards Stock Heating Up
Ward was absolutely locked in this past weekend. He looked confident from the jump, creating buckets for himself...
Written by Bobby Lopez
Read more at PrepHoops.com
Prep Hoops

Jaedon Ward

Instagram Twitter
State: Colorado
School: Legacy
Club: Team Kaun
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Michael Thalacker

Michael Thalacker

CO
PG/SG
HEIGHT 5'11"
POS PG/SG
CLASS 2027
View Player
​
Michael
Thalacker PG/SG
Class
2027
Height
5'11"
HS
Skyline
|
CO
Bigfoot Hoops: Battle in the Rockies 17U Guards Stock Heating Up
Thalacker had himself a breakout weekend and definitely made some noise. He played like a true floor general,...
Written by Bobby Lopez
Read more at PrepHoops.com
Prep Hoops

Michael Thalacker

Instagram
State: Colorado
School: Skyline
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Lyrik Smith

Lyrik Smith

HEIGHT 6'2"
POS SG/SF
CLASS 2026
View Player
​
Lyrik
Smith SG/SF
Class
2026
Height
6'2"
HS
Coronado
|
CO
Bigfoot Hoops: Battle in the Rockies 17U Guards Stock Heating Up
Smith had a solid breakout showing and really put his skill set on display. He was a scoring...
Written by Bobby Lopez
Read more at PrepHoops.com
Prep Hoops

Lyrik Smith

State: Colorado
School: Coronado
Club: 7070 Athletics
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Yeriel Okal

Yeriel Okal

HEIGHT 6'0"
POS PG/SG
CLASS 2026
View Player
​
Yeriel
Okal PG/SG
Class
2026
Height
6'0"
HS
Pine Creek
|
CO
Bigfoot Hoops: Battle in the Rockies 17U Guards Stock Heating Up
Okal had big time showcase showing out on both ends of the floor. Offensively, he hit shots from...
Written by Bobby Lopez
Read more at PrepHoops.com
Prep Hoops

Yeriel Okal

Instagram Twitter
State: Colorado
School: Pine Creek
Club: 7070 Athletics
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Mekhi McNeal

Mekhi McNeal

CO
SG
HEIGHT 5'8"
POS SG
CLASS 2026
View Player
​
Mekhi
McNeal SG
Class
2026
Height
5'8"
HS
Overland
|
CO
Bigfoot Hoops: Battle in the Rockies 17U Guards Stock Heating Up
McNeal was your classic shooting guard this past weekend — smooth, confident, and just everywhere on the court....
Written by Bobby Lopez
Read more at PrepHoops.com
Prep Hoops

Mekhi McNeal

State: Colorado
School: Overland
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

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