AAU World Championships: 5th Grade Backcourt Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Orlando, FL — </strong>With 42 teams competing in the 5th Grade Division I bracket, the AAU World Championships once again served as an excellent evaluation setting for some of the top young prospects in the country. Our 5th Grade coverage begins in the backcourt, where several guards stood out with their ability to create offense, make sound decisions with the ball, and impact games as both scorers and playmakers. The players featured below consistently distinguished themselves against quality competition and headline our first look at the top performers from the 5th Grade Division I field...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3700409"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":3700484,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a6004b72de8d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Keon Chaney was one of the tougher guards to keep in front at the AAU World Championships because of his handle, change of pace, and ability to create separation. He kept defenders off balance with his shifts and hesitation moves, regularly turning small openings into quality scoring opportunities. Once he got into the lane, Chaney had the touch and creativity to finish plays or pull up when the defense collapsed. His offensive skill set is advanced for his age, and he consistently generated quality offense with the ball in his hands.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":3700440,"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":3700445,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-6a6004b72df0b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mike Dean Jr. backed up the reputation he has built as one of the premier guards in the Southeast with another strong showing at the AAU World Championships. He has a natural scoring instinct and already knows how to generate offense in a variety of ways. Dean was comfortable pulling up from well beyond the arc, but he was just as effective attacking off the dribble and getting all the way to the basket. Much of his team's offense flowed through him, and as his physical tools continue to develop, he has every chance to stay among the top prospects in the 2033 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":3700441,"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":3700482,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a6011929facd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Knox Reddick, the son of Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick, is beginning to establish his own identity as a player. Much like his father, shooting has quickly become the foundation of his game, and he reinforced that at the AAU World Championships. Reddick was among the purest perimeter shooters in the 5th Grade Division I bracket, getting his feet set quickly and needing very little time or space to get his shot off. New Heights did an excellent job running actions to free him up, and he rewarded them by stretching defenses with his accuracy from beyond the arc. His ability to consistently knock down open looks made him one of the more dangerous floor spacers in the 5th grade division.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3700421"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":3700494,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-6a6004b72df63"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Isaiah Whisnant played a major part in leading Sniper Gang Elite to the 5th Grade Division I championship at the AAU World Championships. The combo guard consistently made the right reads with the ball in his hands, knowing when to create for teammates and when to hunt his own offense. He delivered timely scoring, was comfortable operating from the mid-range, and absorbed contact well on drives to the basket. Whisnant's pace, composure, and decision-making gave Sniper Gang Elite a steady presence in the backcourt throughout its title run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3700425"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":3700490,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-6a6004b72dfba"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Liam Wilborn was a big reason Team Durant reached the 5th Grade Division I semifinals at the AAU World Championships. The lead guard played with outstanding poise, handled pressure well, and rarely looked sped up with the ball in his hands. His handle created passing angles that most guards his age don't see, and he consistently delivered the right read to keep the offense flowing. When the game tightened up, Wilborn responded with winning plays, showing the confidence and feel you want from a primary ball-handler.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stay tuned for more from Prep Hoops Next!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->