AOG Memorial Day Classic 2025-27 Guard Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Saturday May 24th I attended the<strong>&nbsp;Attitude of Gratitude Memorial Day Classic</strong>&nbsp;at the Phhacility in Phx.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I watched one 15U game and multiple 17U and here were</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2025-27 Guard Standouts</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2147278' first='Sam' last='O'Dowd'] University/Rincon (RHJ 17) (Pictured)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A skilled guard will score with dribble drives and will play off of two feet. He will shoot off the catch from the three point line. He will absorb the contact after his straight line drives with either hand. He will score with offensive rebound put backs and is also a sneaky good passer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1540144' first='Quintin' last='Ragland'] Premier Prep Tucson (RHJ 17)&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the better two-way guards getting downhill and scoring tough shots in traffic. He will rebound, keep his man in front of him and block shots. He smartly changes speeds and gets downhill and will score thru the contact. He also has a nice floater and middle game plus he will hit the three and he is a lob dunker.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2275986' first='KJ' last='Fauske'] Seton Catholic (AND-1 17)&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The top shooter of the day was easily Fauske. He hit 11 triples off the catch with elite range in only two games. He can also side step and let it fly. He is a good passer with drive and kicks and throws the lob pass perfectly. He changes speeds well to get to the basket.  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1306040' first='Hayden' last='Maynard'] Phhoenix Prep (AND-1 17)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A strong framed scoring lead guard. He is deceptively quick to get past his initial defenders to score and takes the contact unusually well with his upper body strength. Defensively he will take charges and collect steals and lay it in with either hand.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2146237' first='Jeremiah' last='Haslerig'] Centennial ([program_tooltip program_id='2144495' first='Team' last='Elevate'] 17)&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A long, bigger guard is a multiple positional defender. He is a long strider to the basket who can also hit the corner three. He has next level body control and will score with tough takes high off the glass over the defense. He competes on defense and is quick to the ball. &nbsp; &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1736172' first='Keegan' last='Colter'] Liberty ([program_tooltip program_id='2144495' first='Team' last='Elevate'] 17)&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A bigger guard with feel and skill. He can hit the three and get downhill using his frame thru the contact. He seems to get to the free throw line every other play with his IQ and crafty play. He is a plus defender on the ball.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1676631' first='Nico' last='Velez'] Desert Vista (Jump Athletic 17)&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A quick on quick scoring point guard. He is a super shifty ball handler with real speed with the ball in his hands. He was one of the better passers on 17U I viewed. He will throw the dime in stride every time.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2435075' first='Lincoln' last='Cooper'] Liberty ([program_tooltip program_id='2144495' first='Team' last='Elevate'] 17)&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A long recent newcomer with some size for position. He can score with the catch three and shows good body control in the air. He will euro step down the lane with a sneaky tight handle in close spaces.&nbsp; &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1482166' first='John' last='Fahrendorf'] St. Mary's (Jump Athletic 17)&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A shooting guard is the three point specialist of the team. He is one of those that can get hot at any stretch during a game. He has a high arcing stroke with no wasted movement. He should be one of the main shooters in the rotation for the Knights.   </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->