Spring Stock Risers - The Guards II

Today, we begin Part II of our Spring Stock Risers series with a look at five more guards who have turned heads in recent weeks.   The following prospects have each elevated their individual recruitments with their play on the travel circuit in April and May.    O'Keefe, a big combo guard out of the Newman School, has been on a scoring tear so far this spring. The 6'4" guard, who runs with Garner Road Basketball Club on the 3SSB circuit, averaged 21.0 points per game during Session 2, including a 43 point outing. He has a smooth shooting stroke from behind the arc, does a nice job using hesitations and change of pace dribbles to beat his defender off the bounce, and is a crafty finisher when he gets to the rim. He's a priority recruit for the Ivy League right now and could continue to see his stock rise this summer.     Afolabi, an athletic lead guard out of Dexter Southfield, has elevated his game this spring while running with the Middlesex Magic on the HGSL circuit. A high level athlete with a college ready body, he uses his physical gifts to his advantage on the defensive end of the floor, where he's proven to be a lockdown perimeter stopper. He's explosive in the open floor, has some wiggle off the bounce, and knows how to finish through or over size at the rim. He should continue to attract scholarship level attention this summer.     Bazzano, a heady lead guard out of St. George's School, has continued to impress with his energy and compete level this spring while playing a key role for BCRI. The 6'0" guard is a terrific rebounder, making plays on the defensive end of the floor with his effort level and toughness. Offensively, he's in constant movement, using screens to get open and cutting hard to the rim off the ball. He's a next level shooter that can make movements threes, gets his shot off quickly, and can make them in bunches when he sees the ball go in the net. He should be a priority recruit for high academic programs in New England this summer.     Bedard, a tough combo guard out of the Newman School, has stood out with his ability to make an impact on both ends of the floor for Team White Mamba on the Made Hoops circuit. He's as gritty and tough of a guard as there is in the northeast, first to the floor for loose balls and willing to give up his body defensively. He can guard anywhere on the perimeter, does a nice job of forcing opponents into turnovers, and makes good decisions with the ball in his hands in transition. On top of that, he continues to improve as a perimeter shooter. He'll be a priority recruit for Division III programs in the northeast and should draw the attention of some scholarship level programs too.     Nkugwa, an athletic scorer out of Governor's Academy, has played some of his best basketball this spring for Team Sims on the UA Rise circuit. He's one of the most explosive mid-range scorers in the northeast, showing the ability to create space with his dribble and elevate quickly into his jumper. He's a good verticle athlete, but also shows quick twitch movements going laterally. He can operate on or off the ball and is an impressive finisher in the paint. Defensively, he's a terrific point of attack defender with quick hands and quick feet. The 2027 prospect has scholarship level tools and could start to rack in offers as soon as this summer.

Today, we begin Part II of our Spring Stock Risers series with a look at five more guards who have turned heads in recent weeks.