Summer Standouts: Sub 6′ Guards

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today, we'll continue to take a look at prospects that elevated their games over the summer, with a focus on sub 6' guards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These five individuals found different ways to stand out while attracting the attention of college coaches this summer. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now let's learn why!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2341414"],"_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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66cbd5469a6b5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Echevarria had a terrific summer while running with <em>Above the Rim Elite</em>. A big time scorer, Echevarria has turned himself into one of the region's top perimeter shooters. He's elite in catch and shoot situations, but also has the ability to create space off the bounce to get into his shot. He's a quick twitch athlete that has some wiggle in tight spaces and the ability to finish in a variety of ways around the rim. He's a willing ball mover, does a great job of moving without the ball, and has solid burst when getting downhill. Defensively, he has quick feet and quick hands, allowing him to be a solid on-ball defender. He's solidified himself as a potential scholarship prospect and should be on the radar of colleges coaches this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2325870"],"_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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66cbd5469a712"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Dakane shined at the <em>NEPSAC Showcase</em> and during his time with <em>BCRI</em> this summer. A blur in transition, Dakane can impact the game with his speed and quickness on both ends of the floor. He's physically strong, has solid burst, and is one of the best rebounders at his position in New England. His perimeter jumper has come a long way over the last 12 months, but his calling card is still his ability to get into the paint off the bounce. He's not afraid of contact and is a tough rim finisher. He's proven capable of playing on or off the ball and has learned how to utilize his speed to his advantage. Defensively, he can guard all 94' and has terrific, quick hands that allow him to generate turnovers at a high rate. He's a definite college prospect and a high level target of numerous D3's in the region.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2325850"],"_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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66cbd5469a754"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rose followed up a terrific junior campaign by being a top performer at <em>NERR's Elite 75</em>. A tough, physical guard, Rose does a great job of controlling an offense in the half-court. He's a three level scorer that is hard to guard when he gets downhill. He has nice burst, does a good job of getting into the teeth of a defense, and has shown impressive floor vision this summer. He's not afraid to be vocal and plays with a chip on his shoulder. His impact on the football field can be seen on the basketball court as he's a tough defender that can guard multiple positions and doesn't shy away from physicality. He has the ability to be an instant impact recruit at the Division III level and should have a long list of coaches in pursuit this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2540135"],"_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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66cbd5469a7e3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gonzalez was one of the top guards in attendance at <em>NERR's Elite 75</em> this summer. A terrific ball-handler, Gonzalez shows impressive floor vision and the ability to make every pass in the book. He did a great job of getting his head up in transition and initiating early offense via the pass. He can break down a defense off the bounce and get into the paint at will, where he has an advanced floater game. What really stands out is his ability to make quality decisions with the basketball in his hands while maintaining a low turnover rate. Defensively, he plays with a high IQ and does a nice job of keeping opponents in front of him. He's the type of prospect that should be able to carve out a role quickly at the next level and should have a long list of schools to choose from come next spring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2021498"],"_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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66cbd5469a88b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">LaDuca made a name for himself this summer with <em>Connecticut Elite</em> and subsequently announced his decision to reclassify at <em>Putnam Science Academy</em>. A crafty scorer, LaDuca has the ability to put the ball in the basket at all three levels. He's a confident ball-handler that does a great job using change of pace and space dribbles to get into his shot. He proved this summer that he was one of the top perimeter shooters in the region, with deep range and a quick trigger on his jumper. When operating off the ball, he does a great job of running off screens and finding different ways to get open. On the defensive end, he battles for position, moves his feet well, and communicates effectively. He's already attracting some scholarship attention and could be on the radar of more schools now that he has reclassed at <em>PSA</em>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->