NEA’s Emerging Wings and Guards

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the season inches closer and closer, these eight prospects will have several chances to raise their stock and get heads turning. Tracking their improvement areas will show which players can make the leap to collegiate competition right away. Keep us updated on ALL prospects over on “X“ and “Instagram,” just tag @PrepHoops_AR &amp; @VortexSportsArkansas. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Evals from Elite Arkansas Training Preseason Showcase 2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hybrid Wings</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2574722"],"_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-68d35f3d36333"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jordan combined his length with quick first-step explosiveness. He thrived attacking downhill in transition, using floaters and finesse to beat help defenders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Projection - An athletic spot-up wing with Jordan's athleticism, at the next level, makes him a solid role player, with upside as a secondary creator.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Areas to Improve</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Consistency in perimeter shooting</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Decision-making on kick-outs versus finishing through contact</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2971476"],"_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-68d35f3d363c1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Madden fits best as a secondary playmaker off the wing. He moved well without the ball, cut sharply to the rim, and attacked closeouts with assertiveness. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Projection - With improved decision-making, Jakyran projects as a combo guard at the next level who can play up tempo and keep defenses off balance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Areas to Improve</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Strength on contact to finish through bigger defenders</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Developing a sharper court vision</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2971509"],"_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-68d35f3d3642c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jacob's 6'4” frame and motor give him balance and toughness. He played unselfishly, ran the floor well, and knocked down a smooth one-dribble pull-up after losing a defender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Projection - A floor-spacer who can hit with accuracy, Jacob's ceiling is a 3-and-D two-guard with a nose for steals in the passing lane and points off jumpers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Areas to Improve</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Ball handling in traffic and finishing</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Defensive consistency inside and out</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2731418"],"_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-68d35f3d36496"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A smooth shooter that plays with pace, Lane stretched defenses with movement on the arc and looked for shots from outside. He backed it up with solid rebounding from the wing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Projection - Lane profiles as a high-IQ shooter at the forward spot, with upside if he expands his playmaking.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Areas to Improve</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Driving angles against closeouts and quicker defenders</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Consistency as an on-ball defender</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2382018"],"_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-68d35f3d36503"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kyler's energy is contagious. He was vocal and active often, getting involved on defense and looking to facilitate in the halfcourt.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Projection - A glue-guy wing whose motor and coachability make him an ideal role player at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Areas to Improve</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Refining and sharpening his shooting mechanics and footwork</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Ball security and playmaking against pressure</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Table Setting Guards</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2574681"],"_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-68d35f3d3656f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A hustle-minded point, Dallas played good perimeter defense and shared the ball well. His court awareness was also sharp in a fast-paced game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Projection - Dallas has the toughness and work ethic for success, with upside if he sharpens his scoring instincts and shot-creation.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Areas to Improve</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Creating his own shot under duress</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Limiting turnovers and increasing assists</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2864631"],"_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-68d35f3d365d8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Marcus demonstrated his speed and burst in space, attacking defenders aggressively on straight-line drives.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Projection - As a slashing point guard, Marcus can carve out a role as a spark plug who converts chaos into points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Areas to Improve</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Mid and long-range shooting consistency</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Decision-making when driving against drop coverage</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2866841"],"_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-68d35f3d3663f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Markel ran the guard spot under control with pace. He showed a veteran's calm in clutch moments, knowing who to get the ball to.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Areas to Improve</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Scoring efficiency at all three levels</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Defending against perimeter shot creators</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->