Aree Hines and the Best 2029 SG’s we have seen so far

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Already these shooting guards caught our attention and are a part of the debut @PrepHoopsTN Class of 2029 player rankings. We are always looking for new-to-us players. DM your highlights/stats/game sked always to <a href="https://x.com/prephoopstn">@PrepHoopsTN</a> and <a href="https://x.com/CourtneyHoops90">@CourtneyHoops90</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/position-ranking-table {"name":"acf/position-ranking-table","data":{"class":"2029","_class":"field_65cfb7374abb9","position":"77248","_position":"field_65cfbfcb19ad6","national_rankings":"0","_national_rankings":"field_660c1d73c0e49","state":"24753","_state":"field_65cfb88a603fe"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a239c4748b9b"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Admittedly, it is very early in our evaluation process related to the Class of 2029. In order to be known by PrepHoops.com/Tennessee already most of these guys either played varsity as a freshman and/or shared highlights/camped. It is tricky to see many freshmen before 15u. Regardless, these top 12ish are certainly pacing the pack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3348957' first='Aree' last='Hines']</strong> is a dude first seen at BCAT Hoopfest 2025 with Kirkwood. That Kirkwood team looked capable of playing in the State Tournament. Not only did they feature 2027 stars [player_tooltip player_id='2309002' first='Armani' last='Smith'], [player_tooltip player_id='2278560' first='Bryce' last='Garnett'] and the Hines' brother Aree and Aaron, but they had Anthony Goring at the time. Goring would transfer to SPIRE Academy during the summer and the team lost a legitimate future D1 center/power forward. Aaron and Aree are both gritty guys that compete. Aaron is the older of the two and will graduate a year from now. Aree looks ready capable of challenging for 15ish minutes per game entering his sophomore year. Fellow guard [player_tooltip player_id='3511266' first='Travis' last='Rivers'] and he are just too good to sit even though Kirkwood High Head Coach John Stigall is loaded at the guard positions again.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">I Remember That Name</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Three ranked players feature last names that are already familiar to hoopheads. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2955842' first='Francis' last='Nwoye']</strong> is the baby of a very accomplished high school family. You'll remember Michael Nwoye and current senior [player_tooltip player_id='2373252' first='John' last='Nwoye'] (Hume-Fogg '27). Francis is more advanced than both were at this stage and he is more guard-like that Michael and John began. Things he can already do: floater, blaze by guards, mid-range, dance the feet. Nwoye was special last winter and he will earn All-District in the winter. Honestly, Nwoye could battle for District MVP if he gets enough shots up. The talent is apparent. More important perhaps...Francis is skilled, bizarrely so for a 2029.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3459615' first='Cooper' last='Burleson']</strong>. <em> There is another Burleson!?</em> Yes. Cooper's shooting touch is nice and he was a TSSAA State Tournament participant already with the 2026 Loretto Mustangs. He needs to develop his straight line speed in the short-term. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3255771' first='Ben' last='Freije']</strong> (C.P.A.) re-introduces a last night everybody in mid-Tennessee knows and Vanderbilt fans remember fondly, Matt Freije. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Freije was one of Vanderbilt's brightest stars, ranking as the all-time leading scorer upon his graduation. Freije, from Overland Park, Kansas, and played from 2001-04 for the Commodores, still is third on Vandy's career scoring charts with 1,891 points. He led the Commodores to the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2004. He earned All-America honors in 2004 along with first-team all-SEC accord. He later played professionally, both in the NBA and Europe. - Vanderbilt Sports Information</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now Matt Freije stood and stands 6-foot-9 and Ben might not get there. Few do. Here is what is to love about the son already. He plays with quick, purposeful feet. While you can literally see a lot of young players thinking through their indecisive feet Ben is attacking the vulnerable points of the floor. He sees angles and takes advantage swiftly. The lefty surprised as a better than average varsity defender in just his freshman year. Lateral mobility was stunningly quick. His arms are long and he uses them to disrupt. As a shooter Ben shines his brightest. You will see a lot more of him this year after Jeromy Davis graduated and usage rates will rise across the board.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->