2029 Group 4 Guard Prospects to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2029 class might have only played one season of varsity basketball, but that hasn't stopped them from making an impact. The guard class has the potential to have a big spring and summer, which they should put on display over the next couple of months. Here are the 2029 Group 4 guard prospects to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3341538' first='Elijah' last='Cortes'], 5'9 PG Union</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cortes had a big debut varsity season for the Farmers as he helped them win over 20 games. The 5'9 guard has a nice handle, which he uses to beat his defender off the bounce and finishes nicely around the rim. Cortes can also score in the mid-range and sets his feet before he shoots. He can also play off the ball and gets deflections on the defensive end. Cortes has the ability to put up points in bunches, which he should put on display over the next couple of weeks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2763190' first='Asaad' last='McLean'], 6'2 SG/PG North Star Academy</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McLean is an intriguing prospect to watch in the class as he has the ability to play both on and off the ball. The 6'2 guard explodes off the floor for dunks and can draw contact in the paint. McLean uses his size to see over his defender and can also play off the ball. He has the length to defend multiple positions on the floor and works for rebounds on both ends of the floor. McLean is a physical guard prospect who should make plays at both ends of the floor throughout the course of May and June.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3544243' first='Landon' last='Bethea'], 5'8 PG/SG Eastern</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bethea had a strong debut season and should carry it over into the spring. The 5'8 guard plays with composure on the ball as he rarely gets rattled by on-ball pressure and finds his open teammates in the half court. Bethea finishes nicely around the rim and can also score in the mid-range. He slides his feet on the defensive end and gets deflections on the defensive end. Bethea's ability to make plays with the ball in his hands is something that will help his stock in a big way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3544165' first='Jefferson' last='Taylor'], 6'0 SG Hackensack</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Taylor has the potential to have a breakout spring and summer as he should have the ball in his hands more. The 6'0 guard uses his handle to blow by his defender off the bounce and finishes in a number of ways around the rim. Taylor has a good touch in the mid-range and makes opponents pay for giving him space behind the arc. He is an underrated defender and can also push the pace in transition. Taylor's ability to stretch the floor is something that will help his game in a big way over the next couple of months.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2981661' first='Jacear' last='Whitaker'], 5'10 PG/SG Trenton Central</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Whitaker has the ability to play either guard spot, which he should put on display during the spring and summer. The 5'10 guard uses his handle to get to his spot on the floor and knows how to finish around the basket. Whitaker is more than just a slasher as he has a nice release on his jumper and sets his feet before he shoots. He is an underrated passer and works hard on the defensive end. Whitaker's ability to play on and off the ball is something that will help his game during the spring AAU season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->