PH Spring Kickoff: Freshman Guard Standouts – Competitors

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1578002' first='Jack' last='Young'] - Regis Jesuit - Basketball Bureau</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1904055,"width":137,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/IMG_3104.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/IMG_3104-edited.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1904055" width="137" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Young will be an impactful guard from a variety of facets of the game. At roughly 5'10, the freshman had the ball on a string, proving capable handling pressure from multiple defenders. He was dependable kicking out to open shooters, even using a bit of flash on no-look passes. Should help defense cut off the drive, Young was adept getting to his mid-range pullup jumper, an important aspect for any guard's offensive upside. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1903877' first='Palmer' last='Bass'] - Overland - [program_tooltip program_id='2078364' first='Colorado' last='Hawks']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":1904049,"width":154,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/IMG_3022.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/IMG_3022-edited.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1904049" width="154" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bass gave it his all on both ends of the floor at roughly 5'8. The freshman showed upside as a knockdown shooter, complimented by an especially quick shot form. Although undersized, Bass showed excellent anticipation in the passing lanes, deflecting or stealing away the ball on five different occassions in their game versus [program_tooltip program_id='2075395' first='Colorado' last='Anarchy']. There is no doubt the guard sees the floor well on the defensive end, with more reps on the ball, Bass could be an under the radar combo guard for the 2026 class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1578220' first='Talbert' last='Borne III'] - George Washington - Basketball Bureau</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1904034,"width":139,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/talbert.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/talbert-edited.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1904034" width="139" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Borne is a bouncy athlete who is electrifiying in transition. The guard threw down multiple dunks in his matchup against Colorado Clutch, proing himself as an above the rim athlete. What stood out was Borne's soft touch on floaters and overall consistency with the jumper. He proved himself as someone much more skilled than just a pure athlete. The guard possesses a fairly quick first step, allowing him to be extra dangerous as a backdoor cutter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1622284' first='Dante' last='Lechuga'] - Frederick - [program_tooltip program_id='2075395' first='Colorado' last='Anarchy']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":1904036,"width":148,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/lechuga.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/lechuga-edited.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1904036" width="148" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lechuga acted as an extension of the coach, communicating on both ends to direct the team. At roughly 5'9, Lechuga showed his skill with the ball, getting plenty of opportunities running pick and roll opportunities. Should the defense sag off on those screens, he is more than capable stepping into the jump shot from beyond the three point line. Despite his size, Lechuga is no slouch on the defensive end, meticulously keeping his head on a swivel for defensive rotations. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1903571' first='Levi' last='Clark'] - Faith Christian - New Mexico D1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1904073,"width":140,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/clark.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/clark-edited.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1904073" width="140" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clark was excellent through Saturday's events, taking whatever the defense gave him. At roughly 6'1, Clark was adept utilizing his pivot foot or a tight crossover to get defenders into poor positioning, often getting the initial advantage from a single dribble move. Should help arrive, the guard was adept at absorbing contact and finishing straight through the defense. There are few guards from this event who were as efficient scoring in the paint. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1863241' first='Raylen' last='Rigney'] - Rogers - BDH Elite 2026</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":1904040,"width":147,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/IMG_3044.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/IMG_3044-edited.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1904040" width="147" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rigney was especially versatile as a scorer, while matching up well versus opposing backcourt threats. The 5'11 guard out of Washington state was a constant scoring threat from inside and outside. Proving capable knocking down triples, even multiple times in transition. The guard utilized his scoring gravity to get downhill, where he had no trouble initiating contact. Rigney also brought the energy on defense, stealing the ball at the point of attack and going coast to coast on multiple ocassions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->