MN Prep Hoops Expo: Underrated guards

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>High Level guard play was on display at the Prep Hoops MN Expo! Here are a few guards who raised their stock this past weekend!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2140691"],"_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-6aba3285a2eef"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Santiago Connell shot the most efficient 3-ball of the expo, from what I saw. He is deadly efficient in catch-and-shoot situations. Being teamed up with teammates on Team 5 who drove the ball aggressively was the perfect complement for him. He played his role by stretching the defense with red-hot shooting, which in turn opened up more driving opportunities for his team. I expect Santiago's shooting ability to be a factor for Shakopee High this upcoming season!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2140543"],"_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-6aba3285a2e7a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Akeem Everett has the never back down mentality that every coach loves to coach. In 5-on-5 play, Akeem made his presence felt by consistently making effort plays. He used his quickness to attack the heart of opposing defenses all afternoon, opening up opportunities for teammates with quick dump-offs while also demonstrating great body control to finish at the rim himself against much bigger players. Defensively, he used his quickness, active hands, and active feet to be a pest, making it frustrating for opposing guards to run their offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2411777"],"_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-6aba3285a2f39"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I really am a fan of the way Lavon Jordan showcases his ability to be a floor general. Lavon played his point guard role well, making the right plays at the right time. He was unselfish, knowing when to get the ball to open teammates and when to feed the hot hand. When guards play the right way, the ball finds them again more often than not, which was the case for Lavon. I liked how he used ball fakes and head fakes to attack defenders closing out, creating opportunities for the one-dribble pull-up and stop-and-pop jump shot, both of which Lavon was knocking down efficiently.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2414516"],"_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-6aba3285a2f7d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kaiden Deveaux impressed me with the poise he played with offensively. He had some great moments in both 3-on-3 and 5-on-5 play, where he carried the offensive load for his teams. Kaiden did a great job reading a defender's feet, understanding when to get into his jump shot and when to attack the basket. Kaiden was especially effective creating his own shot off the dribble and his ability to knock down the three forced defenders to respect him on the perimeter, opening up driving lanes. Kaiden showcased a well-balanced offensive attack that he'll look to bring into the season as a depth piece for a high-powered Totino-Grace program.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2560510"],"_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-6aba3285a300d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mario Williams played efficiently and confidently this past Saturday at the MN Prep Hoops Expo. The quick guard consistently found ways to create offense, using his speed and change of pace to get downhill. When bigger defenders met him at the rim, Mario relied on excellent footwork and multiple pivots to create enough separation to get his shot off. On the defensive end, Mario brought plenty of intensity to the point of attack. He regularly picked up opposing guards before half court and made them work to advance the ball, using his lateral quickness to stay attached and take away driving lanes. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->