Backcourt Breakouts: ’26 Guards Who Shined During May Live Period

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first live period of the recruiting calendar brought us a ton of excitement in which certain prospects continued to boost their stocks and set themselves apart from the likes of their respective classes while we also saw others burst out onto the scene and really make a name for themselves. With the May live period fully in the rear view mirror, let's dive into some prospects at the guard positions that had stand out performances over the initial live period in the month of May. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2136282"],"_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-6843674445f9d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A key piece for the NJ Panthers' 17U Academic squad, Gunther Neumann had a handful of strong scoring performances throughout the May live period. Neumann's ability to knock down open shots from the perimeter in combination with his ability to attack closeouts and finish strong at the rim was on full display. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1775140"],"_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-6843674445ff7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Every bit of the definition of toughness and grit, [player_tooltip player_id='1775140' first='Jamiko' last='Smith'] showcased much of what makes him a strong and tenacious two way player. Over the course of the live period, Smith played with a tremendously high motor and showcased his ability not only be a strong on ball defender and force turnovers at the POA but also be a threat on the offensive end of the floor, finishing through contact at the rim and knocking down open perimeter shots. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1764304"],"_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-684367444603b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A true lights out shooter from three point range, with range too, [player_tooltip player_id='1764304' first='Gabe' last='Hornberger'] displayed his ability to be a dangerous threat from the perimeter. Shooting a respectable 33.3% from three point range over EYBL's second session, Hornberger excelled at playing within himself and being a lethal threat that defenses had no choice but to close out on over the course of the May live period. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2875973"],"_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-684367444607a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another dangerous threat from three point range, [player_tooltip player_id='2875973' first='Max' last='MacEacheron'] showcased his lethal shooting ability throughout the course of the May live period. Behind multiple games with multiple made threes, MacEacheron showcased his quick and smooth release, with limitless range and versatility as a shooter. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1919205"],"_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-68436744460b6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">After a strong weekend that saw him thrived as an offensive focal point, [player_tooltip player_id='1919205' first='A'Zon' last='Young'] showcased his ability to be a reliable source of offense from the guard position for FAM Academy. Whether it was knocking down open outside shots or attacking off the dribble and finishing strong at the rim, Young showcased much of his offensive arsenal. Young also did an excellent job of keeping the ball moving in half court sets as well as pressuring the ball at the POA and forcing turnovers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Korey Morton","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'4u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77244","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Cherry Hill West","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"FAM Academy MHC","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6843674446148"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">An interesting blend of perimeter shot making and athleticism, Korey Morton showcased his ability to light it up from three point range and excel in the open floor. Morton shot the three ball at a 41% clip over the course of the live period, excelling particularly off the catch. Morton also showcased a little bit of his range from three point range as well. An elite athlete, Morton also shined filling the lanes in transition and finishing above the rim. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1608251"],"_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-684367444618b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A strong and confident ball handler, capable of playing either guard spot, [player_tooltip player_id='1608251' first='Bryce' last='Hillman'] showcased his ability to be effective as a self creator as well as a distributor of the basketball. Often times displaying his ability to make the right head both in transition and in half court sets, Hillman showed he's capable of being a lead guard in any offense that he's in and being a trustworthy decision maker. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->