Fall Open Gym Tour Vol 1: Guards to Know

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Open gyms offer an early look at how players have developed during the offseason, while also providing a first glimpse at how new additions could fit within their programs. Throughout my early fall tour across New York and New England, these guards stood out through their playmaking, shot-making and ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2571884"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab55e5111cfe"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hurd is a hard-playing two-way guard who can get into the lane with relative ease. He is a blur in transition and does a good job of mixing aggressive drives with probing the defense and creating opportunities for his teammates. Hurd plays with excellent pace and understands how to use spacing. His quick hands and even quicker feet also make him a high-level defender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2696745"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab55e5111d38"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Stepping into the lead guard role at Cushing, Bringham gives the Cougars another high-level decision-maker who takes care of the ball and consistently gets his teammates involved. He is also a capable shooter from beyond the arc when left open. College programs will want to get eyes on him over the coming months.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3725444"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab55e5111d5b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">While it is still early, Jean-Philippe looks ready to make an immediate impact for Rivers this season. A quick and crafty lead guard, his biggest strength is his ability to create offense for both himself and his teammates. He has a quick first step and makes good decisions once he gains an advantage. Jean-Philippe combines good speed with deceptive strength when the ball is in his hands.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2194726"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab55e5111d7a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A skilled passer with good positional size, Buckley looked comfortable operating as a combo guard alongside [player_tooltip player_id='2470964' first='Antonio' last='Pemberton']. He can provide value as both a perimeter shooting threat and a secondary playmaker. His feel for the game and smooth shooting stroke will make it difficult for the Masters Academy International staff to keep him off the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2294546"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab55e5111d98"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Dawson looks like a perfect fit for a Woodstock Academy staff that has historically gotten the most out of defensive-minded lead guards. A quick and shifty creator off the dribble, he is a capable distributor and an excellent point-of-attack defender. His ability to impact the game on both ends should quickly make the Miami native a popular new name among college coaches throughout the region.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2526248"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab55e5111db5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cantave has made noticeable strides both physically and within his game. Now standing around 6-foot-3, he has added athleticism and appears much more confident with the ball in his hands. The game has clearly begun to slow down for him. It will be interesting to see how he performs within an increasingly talented St. George's team this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2696703"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab55e5111dd2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Taylor got molten hot from beyond the arc, drilling 7 three pointers during 5-on-5 play to close things out for the evening. The 6-foot-3 guard did a great job of moving without the ball to get himself open. Once he saw a couple fall, he began to hunt his shot more aggressively <br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3417334"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab55e5111dee"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Based on the current roster, Ellis looks like the prime candidate to lead the Royals' offense alongside La Salle-bound senior [player_tooltip player_id='2234300' first='Johnny' last='Magna']. He is comfortable hitting shots on the move and can become extremely dangerous once he sees a couple go down. Ellis is equally impressive finishing around the rim. After emerging as one of the CHSAA's top scorers despite occasionally operating as a third option, he figures to feature heavily in the All-CHSAA conversation this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2470964"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab55e5111e0a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Pemberton is one of the best point guards in the country, regardless of class. An exceptional passer and shooter, he has a tremendous understanding of how to generate his own offense while still keeping everyone around him involved. His shooting range extends well beyond the three-point line, while his craft and basketball IQ are already at the level of a college freshman. Pemberton should be ready to make an immediate impact from the moment he steps onto a college campus.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->