Top Performing Guards Breakdown at the Heat Wave

A number of guards performed well at the Heat Wave, and it was challenging to identify the top performers throughout the weekend. Several guards stood out, along with a number of other impactful prospects who delivered strong performances. Emani Sahmanovic | East Coast Elite - Emani was crafty getting to the basket and drawing fouls. He stayed aggressive all weekend, consistently getting to the line. He even hit a game winning jumper to seal the victory. He remained confident throughout the event, and his impact was undeniable. He competed hard on both ends of the floor, and that energy was contagious all weekend. [player_tooltip player_id='2879135' first='Ethan' last='Riullano'] | Uptown Elite - (Pictured Above) He was aggressive offensively and connected on multiple threes while also getting downhill. On defense, he stayed attached to his assignment, remained vertical when contesting shots, and even stopped a break with his awareness. He knocked down mid‑range jumpers, moved well off the ball, and turned steals into breakaway layups. He also assisted over the top of defensive pressure for layups multiple times. He had grown a few inches since last season, and that added size only strengthened his overall game. [player_tooltip player_id='3143753' first='Harrison' last='Riolo'] | NYBA - When he seen a few shots drop from deep, he truly found his shooting groove. I caught myself wondering, “How does he keep getting open?” and it's because of his movement off the ball. Even when he's not handling it, he remains just as engaged. Jayden Hill | LI Level Up - He started the weekend strong with an eye catching performance. His ability to knock down threes and convert difficult passes was impressive. He moved well off the ball, consistently making himself an offensive threat. [player_tooltip player_id='3669526' first='Joshua' last='Johnson'] | North Star Knights - He played north & south while remaining aggressive getting into the paint, converting contested layups. His ability to penetrate showed his fearlessness and willingness to embrace contact. He was a gritty, all out defender who played hard every moment he was on the floor. [player_tooltip player_id='3662049' first='Logan' last='Moriarty'] | [program_tooltip program_id='3670949' first='New' last='York Wild'] - Logan shot the ball well showcasing his shooting from off the catch, from the dribble, and even after executing a successful DHO on the right wing, which created enough space for him to get into his fluid jump shot. When he was knocking down jumpers, he was also setting up others. As defenses adjusted, he began to display his complete game. Sebastian Orr | Team U1 - He was steady all weekend and was never sped up. His level headedness helped the team win the 13U Championship. His ability to shoot the ball, space the floor, and make numerous plays were impressive. He is quick with the ball and able to get past defenders, which supports his playmaking ability. Trystin Pope | LI Level Up - Pope was an aggressive downhill lefty who used his speed and quickness to get to into the paint and finish consistently. He played under control, finding angles to get to his spots on the floor.

A number of guards performed well at the Heat Wave, and it was challenging to identify the top performers throughout the weekend. Several guards stood out, along with a number of other impactful prospects who delivered strong performances.

Emani Sahmanovic | East Coast Elite - Emani was crafty getting to the basket and drawing fouls. He stayed aggressive all weekend, consistently getting to the line. He even hit a game winning jumper to seal the victory. He remained confident throughout the event, and his impact was undeniable. He competed hard on both ends of the floor, and that energy was contagious all weekend.

Ethan Riullano Ethan Riullano 6'2" | PG Archbishop Stepinac | 2029 State NY | Uptown Elite - (Pictured Above) He was aggressive offensively and connected on multiple threes while also getting downhill. On defense, he stayed attached to his assignment, remained vertical when contesting shots, and even stopped a break with his awareness. He knocked down mid‑range jumpers, moved well off the ball, and turned steals into breakaway layups. He also assisted over the top of defensive pressure for layups multiple times. He had grown a few inches since last season, and that added size only strengthened his overall game.

Harrison Riolo Harrison Riolo 5'7" | PG Archbishop Stepinac | 2029 State NY | NYBA - When he seen a few shots drop from deep, he truly found his shooting groove. I caught myself wondering, “How does he keep getting open?” and it's because of his movement off the ball. Even when he's not handling it, he remains just as engaged.

Jayden Hill | LI Level Up - He started the weekend strong with an eye catching performance. His ability to knock down threes and convert difficult passes was impressive. He moved well off the ball, consistently making himself an offensive threat.

Joshua Johnson Joshua Johnson | North Star Knights - He played north & south while remaining aggressive getting into the paint, converting contested layups. His ability to penetrate showed his fearlessness and willingness to embrace contact. He was a gritty, all out defender who played hard every moment he was on the floor.

Logan Moriarty Logan Moriarty 6'2" | SG/PG Putnam Valley | 2027 NY | New York Wild - Logan shot the ball well showcasing his shooting from off the catch, from the dribble, and even after executing a successful DHO on the right wing, which created enough space for him to get into his fluid jump shot. When he was knocking down jumpers, he was also setting up others. As defenses adjusted, he began to display his complete game.

Sebastian Orr | Team U1 - He was steady all weekend and was never sped up. His level headedness helped the team win the 13U Championship. His ability to shoot the ball, space the floor, and make numerous plays were impressive. He is quick with the ball and able to get past defenders, which supports his playmaking ability.

Trystin Pope | LI Level Up - Pope was an aggressive downhill lefty who used his speed and quickness to get to into the paint and finish consistently. He played under control, finding angles to get to his spots on the floor.