Junior Guards To Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've taken deep looks at the Class of 2023 over the last few days--Today, let's look at some of the top junior guards in the Garden State primed for breakout seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1406993' first='Anthony' last='Akande']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/anthony-akande/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/anthony-akande/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;</strong>| 6'3” | G | Newark Arts 2024</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Explosive summer on the AAU circuit has seen Akande's stock shoot through the roof and interest from a host of scholarship level programs is there for him, including an offer from Iona. He's a skilled ballhandler who can break defenders down off the dribble but can also step away from the hoop and beat defenders from range. Arts has several major pieces returning this year. He had 21 vs Orange and 13 vs Bayonne as top games as a sophomore. Big riser in our rankings this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1153956' first='Jeremy' last='Clayville']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jeremy-clayville/"></a>&nbsp;</strong>| 6'1” | G | St Joe's Metuchen 2024</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clayville showed that he was a serious scoring threat as a sophomore. He's got a quick release on his shot but also has skills with the ball in his hand and breaks defenders down. He's a good passer and capable lead guard who can facilitate an offense. He had 27 vs Union Catholic and 21 vs Delbarton as a sophomore. Colleges will be lining up to follow him the next two years following his transfer from DePaul to St Joes of Metuchen. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1153991' first='Gio' last='Panzini']</strong>| 6'5” | G | Saint Rose 2024</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Panzini has delivered on the promise thusfar in high school. A strong guard with all the skills to be a D-1 player, Panzini gets the job done at both ends of the floor. He's got an expanding skillset—He can attack the rim off the dribble, pull up from range to draw defenders from the basket, his defensive game continues to get better and he's got a great understanding of the game. He had a few statement games as a sophomore, including 22&amp;13 vs Saint John Vianney, 23&amp;9 vs St. Joes of Metuchen, 17 vs Camden Catholic and 15 vs Rutgers Prep. &nbsp;Panzini plays for [program_tooltip program_id='2078590' first='Team' last='Rio'], so he will have plenty of eyes on him from D1 coaches over the next two years--He also transferred from RBC to Saint Rose, along with several other talented players, giving the Purple Roses an opportunity to contend for the Shore Conference title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1153277' first='Peyton' last='Seals']&nbsp;</strong>| 6'4” | G | Ramapo 2024</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Part of a trio of returnees who will put Ramapo in a position to make a big run this season. Seals is a physical guard who is crafty with the ball in his hands. He can attack the basket off the dribble but can also pull up and create shots. He's got a great understanding of the game and can facilitate when called upon in the backcourt. He had 27 vs Bergen Catholic and 25 vs Don Bosco Prep, showing what he is capable of. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1407072' first='Rahmire' last='Sanon-Kelly']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/rahmire-sanon-kelly/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/rahmire-sanon-kelly/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;</strong>| 6'1” | G|&nbsp; Newark University 2024</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An aggressive guard who is not afraid of contact on offense when breaking down defenders and slashing to the hoop. He showed that he's got ability to run an offense and should have a big leap as a junior. He was a contributor as a sophomore, dropping 13 on East Side and Central, also chipping in 10 vs Seton Hall Prep. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->