NHR State 2025 Next: The Guards

<p>[player_tooltip player_id='2419994' first='Carter' last='Cupito'] - MN Falcons/Phelps - The 2030 Minnehaha Academy guard playing 14U and quarterback in football has been so good this spring. The ball screen dribble pull-up he has breaks down defenses since they play him to drive because of his quickness with the ball and his aggressiveness getting downhill. Cuptio's growth in height and strength have made him so much better on top of his skillful footwork and passing. Late in the 2nd half versus Hoop Habits in the championship Cupito came to the weakside to block a lay-up attempt when the game was getting tighter.</p>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2415014' first='Liam' last='Cheeks'] - MN Fury Wanzak - Cheeks is a five-foot-six-inch guard for Fury Wanzak and Holy Family. Cheeks is a skillful ball handler, traditional point guard type, and a solid on-ball defender. With the ball Cheeks seemed poised, calm and ready to run what his team was trying to do.</p>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2860656' first='Telen' last='Ferguson'] - Team Get Shook - The 2029 St. Cloud Tech guard [player_tooltip player_id='2860656' first='Telen' last='Ferguson'] shoots the ball very well from the perimeter and showed he could lead his team game after game. Versus [program_tooltip program_id='2698536' first='TVP' last='Elite'] he scored 18 points for Team Get Shook and led them all weekend making plays as a scorer, ball handler and passer.</p>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2839290' first='Ebba' last='Gabi'] - [program_tooltip program_id='2698536' first='TVP' last='Elite'] - Back-to-back weeks I've seen [player_tooltip player_id='2839290' first='Ebba' last='Gabi'] up close and he can handle the ball and shoot it from the perimeter. Playing largely in a 2-player attack offense Gabi is comfortable as a primary ball handler and leading the offense. Off the dribble is much of his game, and he shoots the open looks when spotted up.</p>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2419997' first='Gio' last='Horton'] - MN Falcons - The 2029 Apple Valley guard scored 22 points in the first half of the championship game versus Hoop Habits. Horton hit 3-pointers from all over the court. In the first half he knocked down catch and shoot corner 3-pointer, and back-to-back above the break pull-ups. Horton attacked the basket from the perimeter and finished strong through contact a few times.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/EkFQ1zWIR1c?si=nX9kLlceAVSexqVC </div></figure>   <p>Elliott Thompson - Hoop Habits - Thompson is a 2029 guard from Minnetonka that played JV as an 8th grader last season. Thompson is so steady with the ball in his hands dictating game flow with a strong handle and good passing vision. Not afraid to shoot open shots, and Thompson stays active defensively and rebounds well for his position.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/zHaOMo7Bo1M?si=nnAXhUksRyQ3Ypwr </div></figure>   <p>KJ Barber - 4TheLoveOfTheGame - Barber is a 2029 guard that played with a tough aggressiveness that the competition couldn't match. On the ball he moved his feet and used his quick hands to deflect passes and rip opponents. Barber went to the rim hard for scores and showed solid athleticism for his age.</p>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2917776' first='Will' last='Korbmacher'] - PJ Hoops - The 2029 Orono guard in back-to-back weeks showed his dribble pull-up mid-range was his go to move. Korbmacher's level of play has certainly risen since early May and he's playing with much more confidence with the ball. </p>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2420000' first='Arnulfo' last='Flores II'] - MN Falcons - The 2029 Inver Grove Heights guard is quick and fast with the ball. Flores showed solid aggressiveness and toughness, and is selfish with the ball. Flores doesn't let his size hurt him defensively and works both sides of the court.</p>   <p>Marcus Patten - 4theLoveoftheGame - The 2029 guard was smooth off the ball in the game I saw for him with 4TLOTG. Patten moved well and when he had the ball attacked the rim hard. Patten showed ability to make tough contested lay-ups and a willingness to shoot outside shots.</p>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2844822' first='Curtis' last='Vogel'] - SW MN Stars - The 2029 guard for SW MN Stars was their primary ball handler almost the entire game versus PJ Hoops. Vogel showed quickness with the ball from the point of attack, passed the ball well, and took charge as a lead defender from the POA position. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/streethistory/status/1929234359443194243 </div></figure>

Carter Cupito Carter Cupito 5'9" | PG Minnehaha Academy | 2030 MN - MN Falcons/Phelps - The 2030 Minnehaha Academy guard playing 14U and quarterback in football has been so good this spring. The ball screen dribble pull-up he has breaks down defenses since they play him to drive because of his quickness with the ball and his aggressiveness getting downhill. Cuptio's growth in height and strength have made him so much better on top of his skillful footwork and passing. Late in the 2nd half versus Hoop Habits in the championship Cupito came to the weakside to block a lay-up attempt when the game was getting tighter.