Incoming Freshman Guards to Buy Stock In

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kentucky's class of 2030 is full of fresh talent especially at the guard positions. Here are a few who should be able to carve themselves a varsity role in their breakout campaign:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3578819"],"_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-6abaa82fb9077"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Male Bulldogs' backcourt took a tough hit from graduation. Arguably an even greater blow landed by way of the transfer portal which carried away several key guards including 2028 Jordan Mitchell, a 2nd-Team All State honoree last season. Now insert [player_tooltip player_id='3578819' first='Isiah' last='Minter'], a thin-framed, multi-level scoring threat that can make an immediate impact for the 7th Region powerhouse. At 6'2" and growing, his length and ability to knock down open shots could get him on the court from jump. Those attributes combined with his pace and confidence as a playmaker, however, will set him apart. I envision Minter and #4-ranked 2030 [player_tooltip player_id='3250729' first='Mason' last='Calhoun'] to be the next great Male duo for years to come.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"JJ Taylor","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2030","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77246","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Louisville Male","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6abaa82fb9155"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another piece of reinforcement at the guard spot for the new-look Male Bulldogs, it's hard to say if JJ will get his shot this year or need to bide his time in development. What I can be certain of his JJ's potential. Regardless of when the opportunity presents itself, he'll benefit from the attention that the Bulldogs' big men will draw and from the fact that the brunt of guard duties will be held by others. These factors amongst others could give him enough breathing room to fill a supporting role as a knock down shooting threat that also provides some ball handling relief. Both are skills that I can attest JJ performs very very well. Long term, however, he projects as a high-level shot creator that could be a lead guy in the future.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3733904"],"_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-6abaa82fb90ae"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Trent's significant level of varsity experience from the previous season will do him wonders as he steps into a more substantial role for the highly touted Bruins this year. Although on the receiving end of portal movement after landing #18-ranked 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2389668' first='Garrison' last='Gilvin'], Ballard was also hit heavy by the graduation bug. Trent's 3pt shooting accuracy is reliable and it should serve as a timely energizer that drives momentum during scoring runs. I'm intrigued to see how he handles himself when opportunities to make decisions present themselves, but I anticipate his handle, speed, and court vision will help him thrive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3722224"],"_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-6abaa82fb90d1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I was thoroughly impressed with what I saw from Will at the Kentucky Freshman Showcase this past August. His comfortability within the pocket of screen actions stood out as did his shooting efficiency from deep. The opportunity that could possibly be laid before him to make an immediate impact at Spencer County this year, however, is even more intriguing. 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2532049' first='Charlie' last='Allen'] will almost certainly run the show at the point guard position but there could be wiggle room for Will to step in as a backup ballhandler and even more room for him to operate as a free-roaming off-ball threat thanks to his size and shooting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3690001"],"_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-6abaa82fb90f1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I became familiar with Ronyal's game this past summer through travel ball action and I'm confident that he'll have a shot to be one of Louisville's top guards within the next few years if not sooner. He's a fearless scorer who has limitless range from deep. On top of that, he has a quick first step when attacking from the perimeter and enough wiggle to get all the way to the rim versus slow-footed defenders. Seneca Head Coach Leroy Hickerson has been known to give young talent significant responsibility at the varsity level over the past couple of years, and I think Ronyal could be next up, especially after the loss of key guard pieces to the transfer portal.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->