Grassroots Recap: Top 16U Guards
The grassroots season has come and gone. While everything about the experience was different, there were still standout players and exciting moments throughout every weekend. Here are some of the top 16U guards from the summer: Jasper Hedin Jasper Hedin…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe grassroots season has come and gone. While everything about the experience was different, there were still standout players and exciting moments throughout every weekend.
Here are some of the top 16U guards from the summer:
Jasper Hedin Jasper Hedin 6'5" | SF Winona | 2022 State MN , MN Lightning Ellerbusch
Whatever Hedin’s stock was going into the summer, I don’t see how he couldn’t have raised it with his play. The 6-foot-6 Winona swingman was a standout every time his team played, showcasing big time potential on both ends of the floor. He was the point man when they went with a 1-3-1 full court trap, where his length was an absolute weapon. He initiated offense, created his own shot, scored at the rim, knocked down 3-pointers and made plays for guys. He’s got all the physical tools and he combines it with a well-rounded two-way game.
Antonio Blueitt, Comets Elite 2022
Blueitt had an excellent sophomore season with Buffalo and in watching him play this summer, it’s clear he’s ready to take the reins for the Bison over the next two years. He’s smooth, skilled and smart. Blueitt’s got a unique ability to balance facilitating and making the game easy for his teammates, with getting his own shot. He’s deadly from the mid-range but can score from all three levels efficiently. He seems to know exactly what his team needs and when it needs it. He’s a solid defender, who has the length and strength to guard up in a lineup, but also the quickness and smarts to stick with waterbug type guards. He’s just the definition of solid.
Samuel Rensch Samuel Rensch 6'6" | SF Hutchinson | 2022 State MN , Fury Wilde
On a Fury Wilde team that had no shortage of talented players, Rensch was a standout on both ends of the floor. He passed the eye test for starters, as he’s 6-foot-6, rangy and athletic. He glides up and down the floor effortlessly, and impacts the game in a variety of ways. He’s a good passer, he can score in the paint, he’s a smart cutter and he’s capable of guarding all sorts of different players.
Maddox Alipate Maddox Alipate 6'1" | PG Benilde-St. Margaret's | 2022 State MN , Fury Wilde
Alipate doesn’t give the opposition a break. He’s aggressive attacking the paint and pushing the tempo, creating scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates. He’s excellent when it comes to creating off the dribble and seems to excel when he’s playing through contact. He’s a heady playmaker and an excellent decision-maker. He’s got a smooth-looking outside jumper and deep range too. Keep an eye on him this upcoming winter on what should be an awesome Lakeville South team.
Parker Behne Parker Behne 5'11" | PG Elk River | 2022 State MN , Comets Belka
Behne was a quality guard at Elk River during his sophomore year and he seems to be getting better with every passing tournament. He’s got a silky perimeter jumper and the burst to create his own shot against set defenders. He’s a hard-nosed defender too, and does a good job getting up underneath opposing ballhandlers while being in good position to help and recover off the ball.
RJ Spencer RJ Spencer 6'3" | SG Totino-Grace | 2022 State MN , MN Select Davis
Totino-Grace has a silly amount of young talent and while there are some guys who will get more pub, Spencer is a guy to keep an eye on just as well. He’s a big, athletic guard who plays with a high motor on both ends of the floor. He puts pressure on the passing lanes and creates turnover opportunities, but also has the athleticism to recover and stick with his man. He’s an assertive, aggressive slasher who does a great job breaking down first-row defenders, playing through contact and either scoring in the paint or making plays.