PH Chi-Town Tip Off: Max’s Guard Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Seven of the top guards I saw over the weekend at the Prep Hoops Chi-Town Tip Off!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3573375"],"_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-69df96b9e62c5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ryder wasn't backing down from a challenge going up against a loaded Breakaway 3SSB team. At 6'2 he has the size and skillset to play either guard spot, and spent a lot of time running the point in the game I watched. Breakaway features length all over the floor, but Ryder was still able to create some separation for his own shots, while comfortably handling the ball under pressure. He kept his eyes scanning the floor, and was able to get his team into their half-court sets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2832757"],"_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-69df96b9e6381"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kaiden was one of the toughest on-ball defenders I saw at the event. Although often the smallest guy on the floor, Kaiden is fearless on the defensive end, and is as scrappy as they come. He wasn't afraid to pick up full-court on his own to pressure opposing point guards, and forced a lot of mistakes in the two games I watched. Kaiden is simply a pest on the ball with lateral agility and quick hands that help him come up with steals. If there's a loose ball in his area, Kaiden is going to be the first one on the floor fighting for possession. Strong showing with [program_tooltip program_id='2075808' first='Powerhouse' last='MN'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2864848"],"_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-69df96b9e640e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Richfield guard was a key player in [program_tooltip program_id='2075808' first='Powerhouse' last='MN']'s win over Windy City Wolves on Saturday. The sophomore guard is a streaky shooter who caught fire in the first half, and ended up finishing the game with 23 points and five 3's. Despite missing his first few shots, Ian's confidence never wavered, and he hit two 3's, a mid-range, and a tough left handed lay-up within a few minutes to get his team going. Quick release and constant movement off of the ball helped him find pockets of space to catch and shoot before a defender could close out on him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3536327"],"_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-69df96b9e649d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jettrell had some impressive moments while playing up at the 17u level for Drive Pro Select. The 2028 prospect is a lefty guard who plays with a lot of confidence in his game. Although he got off to a slow start, Jett really got going in the second half as he hit shot after shot to drag his team back into the game. Morris hit a handful of deep threes, and was gliding to the rim for a handful of finishes throughout the game. The explosive scoring outburst could be a sign of things to come from the 2028 out of Burlington.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2839878"],"_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-69df96b9e6528"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">You won't find many better pure shooters in the country than [player_tooltip player_id='2765345' first='Mason' last='Martin']. He's the type of guard who could put up 20+ points without taking a single dribble, as he's that good at hitting shots off the catch. Particularly at the high school level, you don't see many players who can catch on the move and quickly square up to elevate into their jumper. Because of this Mason excelled at curling off of screens and getting his shot off before the chasing defender could catch up to him. Lights out shooter with the length needed to compete at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2408663"],"_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-69df96b9e65a9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2408663' first='Elijah' last='Chinn'] was giving Breakaway 3SSB's 17u team issues on Saturday night. Their a long and disciplined team, but Elijah was able to use his quickness to get to his spots and create for himself or his teammates off the dribble. By far the quickest player on the floor, there were times Elijah was running circles around defenders as they tried to slow him down. He was fearless attacking the basket against size, but could also stop on a dime for a pull-up jumper. He garnered a lot of attention with his handle and speed, which helped to free up his teammates for open looks. Despite the loss it was a strong showing for Chinn against top competition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2947403"],"_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-69df96b9e6629"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Orlando is the type of shooter who can change a game in a matter of minutes. That's what happened late in the first half against Meanstreets in a 15u matchup. The Breakaway guard hit a pair of deep threes to give his team all of the momentum heading into halftime. Orlando plays with a ton of confidence, and has never seen a shot he doesn't like. I saw him play last fall at the Prep Hoops Freshman Expo, and he displayed the same type of offensive game that he showed this past weekend. His shot making ability helped lead Breakaway 3SSB to a 4-0 record in the top 15u bracket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->