Big Shot's Best: Local Guards

New readers: Use code Proia30     Our scouts traveled to Henrico, VA to attend a great event hosted by Big Shots and Paul Biancardi as a warm-up event, with competition across all three high school age groups (17u-15u) in addition to some good middle school bump. Our team covered a ton of ground watching local grassroots teams duke it out in front of national scouts and college coaches (non-D1) from across the country. Let's zoom in some of the best local guard prospects that I saw this weekend from Maryland and Virginia!    -Came away impressed with the moxie and competitive drive displayed by Fraser as he led his team to a near-upset win over TME as a guard prospect that isn't afraid of the moment. Fraser grabbed attention with a 360 layup through a double team to score in transition, played off of two feet to force the defense to collapse and free up shooters, snaked the ball screen to knock down the jumper then got the steal and score at the rim late in the 2H to tie the game. Love the way that he operates in chaos to snag 50/50 balls on the ground or in the air when he chipped down on bigs from the low block to punch above his weight with boxouts. Fraser finished with 10 points on the afternoon.     16p 2a 2r vs TME   -Palmer plays for a very deep DC Assault 16u group that took their first loss of the season matched up with a Tre Mann Elite group that should be amongst the top Pro16 teams in the country. Palmer's shot creation ability was evident throughout the game as a guard that moves well off the ball to create high-percentage looks off the catch. But he can also create his own shot from all three levels pretty consistently, with the best example of that being an isolation play from the right wing where he snatched back a double crossover to hit a sidestep 3 over a 7-footer that finished the game with 5 blocks. Palmer knocked down two other dagger threes, was successful in drawing contact around the rim and beyond the arc (7/8 on FTs), and used that scoring gravity to attack closeouts to create open looks for teammates. If he can add some weight to his frame, he should become an even better on-ball defender that uses his IQ to contest shots or fight over screens.     -Jones stood out in a matchup with Richmond Heat with his skill as an on-ball creator. Jones got downhill without a ball screen to score at the rim with regularity throughout the game, both in transition and in the halfcourt because of his creativity and decisive reads. Loved how fluid his change of direction was on his crossovers and he showed a nice touch with inside hand layups, floaters, and reverse layups in the key. I also thought he did a good job of kicking the ball ahead in transition and using his pivot to evade double teams and create better passing angles to open teammates.     17p 6r 4a 2s vsDH2B x GG16s   -Man oh man, Bodiford's first step is pretty lethal in the halfcourt as a shifty guard that shows an advanced ability to get a step on his matchup and shield the layup attempt by getting into his opponent's chest a step before he gathers to score. Bodiford scored on several hesi crossovers into downhill drive and AND1 layups at the rim, manipulated the defense with head and ball fakes to cause them to freeze just long enough to be out of position to contest layups or bump cutters on their way to the rim. Bodiford knocked down a 3, took the ball coast to coast after he snagged a defensive rebound to score over the big at the other end on several occasions, and showed advanced vision as a point guard prospect that passes his teammates open. Was a key contributor for OLGC JV group last year, wouldn't be surprised to see him challenge for varsity minutes this summer.     6p 5r 3a 4s vs VA Havoc   -Farrell is blossoming amongst a deep guard rotation for DC Assault 15u that emphasizes ball pressure and ball movement to win basketball games. Farrell possesses a smooth handle that allows him to fire 1-handed passes off a live dribble with either hand to maximize his vision within the halfcourt. I also came away impressed with his ability to hound ballhandlers without fouling to get the top foot over an arriving ball screen to chest up with his matchup to take up his airspace whether he accepts or rejects the screen. Farrell's change of pace on downhill drives makes it difficult to stay in front and he can quickly raise up off the dribble whether he comes off middle ball screens flat or snakes the pick to keep his defender in jail behind him. Love that he's able to play aggressive at both ends of the floor without playing out of control-- a rarity in young guard prospects at his age.

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