Parham's Top Playmaking Guards at Prep Hoops Live in Plainfield

The talent level in the backcourt was loaded all weekend long at the PH Live event in Plainfield. Guards from multiple classes stepped up by showing poise, scoring instincts, court vision, and the ability to create offense for themselves and teammates. Whether it was downhill pressure, deep shooting range, or facilitating in transition, these guards consistently controlled the pace of games throughout the weekend.     [player_tooltip player_id='2814017' first='Davion' last='Tate'] – GPA 2027   Tate put together a strong weekend by showcasing his playmaking ability and overall offensive skill set. The sturdy Maine West guard played with confidence and control while creating offense at all three levels. Tate knocked down deep threes, especially off the dribble, and mixed in smooth mid-range pull-ups throughout the weekend. He also attacked the paint effectively and finished on drives to the rim. Beyond the scoring, Tate did a great job of keeping teammates involved and moving the basketball within the offense. His combination of toughness, shot creation, and passing made him one of the more productive guards in attendance.   [player_tooltip player_id='2960697' first='Lazavion' last='Kelley'] – YnR 2029   Kelley played like one of the more polished young guards in the class. The freshman guard showed a terrific feel for the game and consistently made smart reads offensively. Kelley's quickness immediately stands out, especially when paired with his deep shooting range and ability to create separation with the dribble. Defensively, he played with active hands and brought energy on both ends of the floor. He also displayed maturity in how he controlled tempo and facilitated offense. Kelley, the younger brother of Latrell Kelly, already looks comfortable competing at a high level and continues to trend upward.   Robert Smith Jr. – [program_tooltip program_id='2452456' first='Mac' last='Irvin Fire'] 2030   Smith Jr. showcased why he is such an intriguing young prospect. The 6-foot-3 guard has terrific size for his age along with long arms and advanced skill. The son of a legendary coach, Smith Jr. played with confidence and composure while operating as both a scorer and creator. His ball handling ability allowed him to get wherever he wanted on the floor, whether it was attacking for scoop finishes or getting downhill in straight-line drives. He also displayed a clean-looking jumper from both mid-range and beyond the arc. His blend of size, feel, and offensive versatility stood out all weekend.   [player_tooltip player_id='2429121' first='Keandre' last='Simon'] – IL Warriors 2027   Simon made an impact with his speed and ability to break defenses down off the bounce. The smaller guard consistently got into the lane using his quickness and showed a natural ability to collapse defenses. Once inside the paint, Simon did a solid job of finding teammates on kick-outs to shooters along the perimeter. His pace with the basketball and ability to create advantages helped keep defenses under pressure throughout the weekend.   [player_tooltip player_id='3587106' first='Sam' last='Briggs'] – Rockford Elite 2028   Briggs emerged as one of the more entertaining floor generals to watch throughout the weekend. The 5-foot-9 point guard plays with tremendous speed in the open floor and constantly keeps defenders guessing with his shifty handle and creativity off the bounce. Briggs showed strong playmaking instincts, threading several impressive passes to cutting teammates while also making accurate kick-outs to shooters around the perimeter. His ability to pass comfortably with either hand really stood out, as he consistently delivered sharp passes right on target while on the move. Shot the ball very well on Sunday morning, a player to track going forward.   Zaccheus King – Alabama Muscle 2028   King brought physicality and explosiveness to the guard spot. Built like a running back, the compact guard was relentless attacking the basket and played with a nonstop motor on both ends. His quick first step consistently helped him get downhill, and one noticeable improvement in his game has been his finishing ability around the rim. After struggling at times with difficult layups earlier in his development, King now looks far more comfortable and controlled when attacking traffic. His toughness, burst, and defensive activity made him one of the more impactful guards in attendance.   Kyle Himes – WM Premier 2028   Himes once again proved to be one of the more exciting guards to watch this weekend. The lightning-quick playmaker consistently got to his spots while remaining under control offensively. Himes thrives in transition where his explosiveness and speed become difficult to contain. Around the rim, he finished in a variety of ways and showed creativity when attacking shot blockers. He also displayed a strong understanding of how to move without the basketball, getting open off screens and staying balanced on catch-and-shoot threes. His pace, scoring instincts, and feel continue to stand out.   Everen Akison – OPS 2028   Akison delivered one of the stronger guard performances of the morning sessions. The crafty guard carried much of the offensive load for his team while showing excellent control with the basketball. Akison used tight handles and deceptive change-of-pace moves to consistently get defenders off balance and attack the paint. He did a great job of drawing contact and getting to the free-throw line throughout the weekend. His ability to create offense while staying poised under pressure was highly impressive.

The talent level in the backcourt was loaded all weekend long at the PH Live event in Plainfield. Guards from multiple classes stepped up by showing poise, scoring instincts, court vision, and the ability to create offense for themselves and teammates. Whether it was downhill pressure, deep shooting range, or facilitating in transition, these guards consistently controlled the pace of games throughout the weekend.