Beyond the Assist: Six Young Playmakers Worth Tracking

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A young guard can put up points and still leave questions about how well he runs an offense. The more interesting evaluation starts with how he creates those points: Does he pressure the defense with the dribble? Can he recognize an opening before it closes? Does he make teammates better when the ball is in his hands?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Those are the details that make playmaking worth studying beyond the box score. These six prospects offer different starting points, from attacking guards to a forward who can help initiate the offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3537318"],"_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-6ad084c7453af"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kline gives us a lead-guard prospect to watch as he develops his command of an offense. The focus moving forward is how consistently he can control possessions, create advantages and keep teammates involved without forcing the action.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Boog's Take:</strong> Watch the decisions between the highlight plays. Pace, timing and knowing when to move the ball can tell us a lot about a young floor general.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2899329"],"_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-6ad084c745421"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thomas offers an interesting combination of ball-handling and playmaking potential. His ability to balance his own scoring with getting teammates involved gives him multiple ways to influence the offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Boog's Take:</strong> Building on his ability to read defenders and deliver the ball on time could help Thomas become an even more complete offensive organizer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3665943"],"_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-6ad084c74546d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Carrier is a name to follow in the 2032 class. For a young guard, court vision becomes more valuable when it translates into timely passes, effective ball movement and the ability to create something when the defense takes away the initial attack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Boog's Take:</strong> Pay attention to how quickly he processes help defense. Recognizing the opening is important; delivering the ball before that window closes is what makes the play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3563313"],"_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":3794144,"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ad084c7454b4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Echols represents the older class in this group. His development as a creator will be worth tracking through his ability to pressure the defense, get into useful areas of the floor and turn those advantages into productive possessions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Boog's Take:</strong> The key is what happens after the initial penetration. Can he finish through traffic, find the open teammate or reset the offense when the defense recovers?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3579334"],"_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-6ad084c7454fb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Karls adds a combo-guard option to the discussion. Playmaking isn't limited to traditional point guards; players who can contribute on and off the ball while making quick decisions can give an offense more flexibility.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Boog's Take:</strong> Watch how he creates without dominating the ball. The ability to make the next pass, attack a closeout and keep the offense moving can expand his role.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3565490"],"_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-6ad084c745548"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Baker gives this group another young point guard to monitor. His continued growth will come down to managing possessions, adjusting when defenders cut off his path and making sound decisions when the offense gets crowded.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Boog's Take:</strong> I want to see how he responds when the easy play isn't there. Counters and composure are important markers in a young guard's development.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->