Underrated Guards in RVA/757 For Coaches To Watch (Part 1)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the summer coming to an end, we decided to take a look at some of the top underrated players that college coaches should be watching for heading into the season. Here's a look at six guards in the Richmond and Hampton Roads areas that aren't getting the love that they deserve from coaches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2470591' first='Jaylen' last='Tyler'] | 5'9” PG | LC Bird</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2479581,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/tempImageig9ai1.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/tempImageig9ai1.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2479581" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tyler has been one of the focal points of Bird's success over the past few years, and while he isn't the biggest guy on the court he knows how to run a team and does a great job setting the tone for whatever team he's on. The 5'9” lead guard oozes toughness with his ability to pick up full court and is great in the press, he gets downhill and makes good decisions when he breaks down the defense, he can finish over bigger defenders when he gets downhill, and he makes winning plays on both ends off the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3571374' first='Desmond' last='Clark'] | 6'0” PG | Manchester</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clark had a breakout junior season for Manchester, leading them to a state tournament appearance and emerging as one of the top guards in the Richmond area. The 6'0” guard plays much bigger than he is as he's a strong finisher when he gets downhill, he can knock down open shots from deep, he can pick up and guard multiple positions, and he is a good rebounder for his position too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2898040' first='Tyson' last='Harper'] | 6'0” PG | King's Fork</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Harper is part of a very talented King's Fork backcourt, and he's got a lot of schools interested in him with his all-around skillset. He has a great frame that will continue to fill out when he gets into a college weight room, he uses his size to create space and finish when he gets downhill, he can score the ball from all three levels off the bounce and off the catch, and he uses his length well to challenge shots and get deflections as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3571360' first='Anderson' last='Allen'] | 5'9” PG | Peninsula Catholic</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Allen had a good season for PC last year and will likely be in more of a feature role with some of their top players graduating, and he looks like he's up for the challenge this summer. The 5'9” guard is a menace defensively with his ability to get under ball handlers and make them uncomfortable, he has a deadly first step to blow by defenders, he is very good as a playmaker in transition, and he can knock down open shots as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2815376' first='Noah' last='Cannon'] | 6'2” CG | Nansemond River</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cannon transferred to Nanosecond River last season from Nansemond Suffolk and had a very good season for them as one of the surprise teams in the Hampton Roads area. The 6'2” combo guard has great positional size and is a good athlete who can get downhill and finish through contact, he can use his size to shoot over defenders with a good pull-up, he is a good rebounder who can start the break, and his strength allows him to play and guard multiple positions too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2898043' first='Melvin' last='Wofford Jr.'] | 5'10” PG | King's Fork</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wofford was the other part of King's Fork's two headed backcourt attack last season, and while he may not be the biggest guy out there he can absolutely fill it up in bunches. He is quick and shifty off the bounce with the ability to get by defenders and get to spots, he can score it off the bounce from all three levels, he gets hot quickly and can ring off points in bunches, and he's very good at shooting passing lanes to turn defense into offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->