2029 Guards: Names to Know

[player_tooltip player_id='2916865' first='King' last='Smith'] - Smith is a six-foot-two-inch Hopkins and [program_tooltip program_id='2075431' first='D1' last='Minnesota'] 3SSB 2029 big guard. Smith is taller, and sturdier than others his age, and even some older. This size advantage gives him the advantage scoring close to the rim. Smith is above average finisher. Smith is a tough perimeter defender and athletic enough to recover on smaller quicker guards to track them down and block their shots. Smith is just about solid at everything and he's been very consistent this spring and summer. Smith's biggest area of improvement is being a better jump shooter.   https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJp04PJO59Q/?igsh=MXZsdTR3N3FyOXlx   [player_tooltip player_id='2353796' first='Jaylen' last='Greer'] - The six-foot Greer has been playing JV at Two Rivers since 7th grade, and last season played some Varsity. This spring and summer Greer has been the lead ball handler for Uncheckable Sizzle carry much of the responsibility of bringing the ball up the court not to mention the scoring load. Greer is a good jump shooter, from beyond the arc and in the middle range. Greer does well getting to spots with the ball and finding opportunities to score. Greer is developing more as a creator, is getting stronger, and will need to be more consistent as a defender.   <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/sxMcOudeplI?si=kAYF0mckHC7ja36Q </div></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='2910369' first='Quianny' last='Christian'] - Christian is a quick first-step guard for [program_tooltip program_id='2075431' first='D1' last='Minnesota'] 3SSB and will be at Edina this coming season. On D1MN Christian is the starting point guard next Smith handling much of the ball handling responsibilities. Christian has good vision, makes the right passes, and is a knock down 3-pointer shooter. Lack of size right now is Christian biggest area of growth.   https://youtube.com/shorts/tJLHiVulcT8?si=Vd5gDZtO5hkkl8K9   [player_tooltip player_id='2853260' first='Beckham' last='Nelson'] - Nelson is a six-foot-two-inch guard from Minnetonka where he played JV as an 8th grader and plays with Hoop Habits for AAU. Nelson will probably settle in as a secondary creator as he fits well as a combo guard. Nelson can shoot, pass, rebounds his position and is a good team defender. In a 14U Championship Game Nelson carried his team versus a tough MN Falcons squad.   <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/H1MCBlnKQuw?si=pJm86R-mpb0aBsGs </div></figure>   Eli Thompson - Thompson is a six-foot-one-inch point guard from Minnetonka where he played on JV as an 8th grader. On Hoop Habits Thompson is the lead ball handler and distributor and immediately what sticks out watching Thompson is his ability to pass the ball, even as a 7th grader last year. Thompson leads players well and anticipates paths for scoring chances for his team. Thompson plays aggressive with the ball, can score at all levels and works on the defensive side of the ball. Thompson will need to get quicker and stronger.   https://youtu.be/zHaOMo7Bo1M?si=iZQ43J_AsTAFsfTD   Kyle Joyner - Joyner is a six-foot-two-inch guard from Hopkins and [program_tooltip program_id='2075431' first='D1' last='Minnesota'] 3SSB 2029 team. Joyner is a very good outside shooter, smooth shooting motion and good range. Joyner uses size, length and strength defensively. Joyner's development as a ball handler is key to him being more than just a court spreading shooter.   [player_tooltip player_id='2419997' first='Gio' last='Horton'] - Horton is a six-foot-one-inch guard from Apple Valley and plays with MN Falcons. Horton had one of the best and most impressive shooting performances of the summer that I watched. In a title game versus Hoop Habits Horton hit 7 3-pointers and scored nearly 30 points in MN Falcons 2nd Prep Hoops Next championship in Minnesota. Horton plays both guard positions well, moves with and without the ball well, and holds up on the defensive side. Like many 14U and incoming freshmen, Horton will need to get stronger to compete consistently.   [player_tooltip player_id='2524096' first='Rashad' last='Smith'] - Smith is a five-foot-nine-inch guard from Brooklyn Center where he played Varsity as a 8th grader and averaged around 10 points per game. Smith is fast with the ball and when scoring Smith is a “Microwave scorer” so once Smith gets going he's hard to limit. Smith is better off the dribble attacking downhill than anything but is a solid outside shooter.   [player_tooltip player_id='2844822' first='Curtis' last='Vogel'] - Vogel is a tough downhill driver that is fast and quick with the ball. Versus PJ Hoops in June Vogel scored multiple times driving to the basket making lay-ups at the rim and hitting short floaters in the painted area. Vogel's size could be a problem as he ages if he doesn't grow although he is strong and doesn't allow players to push him around.   [player_tooltip player_id='2917765' first='Tanner' last='Heinen'] - Heinen is a six-foot-one-inch guard from STMA and played with [program_tooltip program_id='2123709' first='MN' last='Rush'], Heinen played JV at STMA as an 8th grader last season and in the game I saw him versus Elk River he certainly belonged. Heinen didn't need the ball in his hands to be effective as he can score on spot-ups from the perimeter as he's a good outside shoooter, and he moves well away from the ball without the ball. As a secondary creator he can makes plays for teammates passing the ball from the wing. Heinen will need to get stronger, and foot quickness will be important for him.   [player_tooltip player_id='2917776' first='Will' last='Korbmacher'] - Korbmacher is a six-foot-one-inch guard from Orono and PJ Hoops JR EYBL. Korbmacher has been getting better and better the more I see him play. From April to June Korbmacher has made good strides as a scorer off the ball and is a good shooting threat in the mid-range as well as beyond the 3-point arc. Using ball screen action going to his right his one, two dribble pull-up game is very good.   [player_tooltip player_id='2860656' first='Telen' last='Ferguson'] - Ferguson is a fast and quick St. Cloud Tech and Team Get Shook point guard. Ferguson is a smaller guard compared to the rest on this list but seeing his 2 older college level basketball brothers, growth seems likely. Ferguson is a good outside shooter, spotted up or off the dribble.   [player_tooltip player_id='2382427' first='Ezekiel' last='Duo'] - Duo is a five-foot-nine-inch guard from Maple Grove and played with [program_tooltip program_id='2075310' first='Northstar' last='Titans'] Strand this past AAU season. Duo is fast, and quick with the ball and without. He was the Titans primary ball handler, handling ball pressure and getting the offensive going. Duo is a good driver and slasher from the perimeter. Duo uses his speed, quickness and length well on the perimeter securing loose balls and deflecting passes. Duo's biggest area of opportunity is becoming a more consistent shooter from mid-range and the perimeter.

King Smith King Smith 6'2" | SG/CG Hopkins | 2029 State MN - Smith is a six-foot-two-inch Hopkins and D1 Minnesota 3SSB 2029 big guard. Smith is taller, and sturdier than others his age, and even some older. This size advantage gives him the advantage scoring close to the rim. Smith is above average finisher. Smith is a tough perimeter defender and athletic enough to recover on smaller quicker guards to track them down and block their shots. Smith is just about solid at everything and he's been very consistent this spring and summer. Smith's biggest area of improvement is being a better jump shooter.