Upper Midwest Finals: Max’s Guard Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Six of the guard prospects who stood out over the weekend at the Prep Hoops Upper Midwest Finals!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2954092"],"_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-6a16ed5374baf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Fred was the floor general for a [program_tooltip program_id='2075310' first='Northstar' last='Titans'] team that made it all the way to the 16u championship game. He was one of the quickest players in the gym this past weekend, able to get to just about any spot he wanted to off the dribble. At 5'9 he was fearless attacking the basket, able to freeze defenders with a hesitation move and then blow by to get into the lane and finish. If the help-side was able to react in time, Fred did a good job of locating an open shooter out on the perimeter. Added in a couple of three point makes on his own in the game I watched.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2560528"],"_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-6a171374b1bfb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ryan was all over the floor coming up with plays for Minnesota Rise on Saturday morning. Defensively he showed quick hands as well as instincts off the ball that helped him come up with a handful of steals throughout the game. Always seemed to be in the right spots at the right time to make a play. Offensively he was a true floor stretcher from beyond the arc. Has a pure lefty stroke that helps him connect at a high rate from three. He played a key role in helping lead his team to a 3-1 record.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2140543"],"_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-6a171374b1c63"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Akeem is an absolute pest on the ball defensively. The DeLaSalle guard provides constant ball pressure on opposing point guards, and was picking up full-court just about every possession. Running with Minneapolis Central, his pressure helped force a number of mistakes on Saturday night that helped his team get some easy transition buckets. He also stepped in to take a pair of charges in the lane throughout the game. Offensively he's an unselfish player who keeps the ball moving, and knocked down two threes against Minnesota Chill.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2417305"],"_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-6a171374b1c9e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">There haven't been many 2028's producing at the level Romeo has been this spring. On Saturday he helped lead his WCU team to a hard fought win over [program_tooltip program_id='2075674' first='Minnesota' last='Heat'], throwing down an explosive dunk, flying all over the floor defensively, and converting on some acrobatic finishes. I saw him later in the semi-finals, where again Romeo just found ways to get to the rim and finish at a high percentage. He's simply more athletic than just about every other guard he comes up against, and finds ways to use it to his advantage to put up big numbers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2416653"],"_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-6a171374b1cd3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Alex helped lead [program_tooltip program_id='2075672' first='Minnesota' last='Fury'] to the 17u title, and was key in their quarterfinals win over [program_tooltip program_id='2517147' first='Wisconsin' last='Breakaway']. It took most of his team until the second half to get going, but in the first half it was Alex who was keeping them in the game on his own at times. Healy showed impressive change of speed that allowed him to go from 0 to 60 in the blink of an eye to attack the basket. Alex was getting to the rim before help-side defenders could react, and extending to finish away from his body from a variety of angles. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2826833"],"_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-6a171374b1d07"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Knighten is one of the quickest guards in Minnesota's 2029 class. Offensively he's an extremely unselfish player who you'll rarely see overdribble. When the ball comes his way, it's a quick decision to hit a catch-and-shoot three, attack a gap, or quickly swing it to a teammate. Good vision off the drive to dump it off to a big or kick it out to an open shooter. LEAD Sports Academy likes to pressure the ball all over the floor, and Lamar's quickness helped them force turnover after turnover in both games I watched.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->