Recruiting Dive: Second Five Available Guards

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While college coaches at all levels of competition have their heads buried in the thousands of players in the transfer portal, we wanted to take some time to highlight some of the top unsigned guards in Southern California. Below we take a deeper dive into the Second Five available prospects at the guard position and how they can help a two or four-year college program.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1630637' first='Jaedyn' last='Patterson'] | St. Monica</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Patterson has the ability to fill up the scoring column in a hurry and in a variety of ways. The 6-foot-2 combo guard has great feel off the bounce and uses his fluid change of speed and direction to get into a consistent mid-range pull-up jumper or off-movement three-point shot. Patterson has flashed potential as a primary ball handler and playmaker who can really pass and make plays for teammates.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1630647' first='Jeremiah' last='Hampton'] | Windward</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the more difficult transitions high school players have to make to the college level is the difference in strength and physicality but Hampton has the frame to handle that immediately. The 6-foot-4 lefty is best as a downhill driver who attacks the rim with aggressiveness and looks to initiate, absorb and finish through contact. Hampton is also a capable three-point shooter off the catch who showed improvements as an off-bounce perimeter shooter this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1630638' first='Ashton' last='McCullough'] | Oak Hills</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McCulllough is a smooth, savvy and smart guard whose combination of pace, patience and skill make him a prospect who can play with the ball in his hands or slide off of it and play a secondary attacker type of role. The 6-foot-4 senior has shown the basketball IQ needed to manage and win a big game and strikes a good balance of scoring and distributing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2119934' first='Jayden' last='Smoot'] | Rancho Christian</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We saw Smoot last weekend at an unsigned senior event and what stood out about him there is what has stood out about him all along: his size for the position and explosive vertical athleticism. The 6-foot-3 lefty elevates quickly off of one foot and is a poster dunk threat like finisher at the rim. Smoot is another prospect who, while he's best as a downhill driver and slasher in the open court, has shown improvements to his IQ and passing ability.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2119941' first='Jaiden' last='Agbo'] | Rancho Christian</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Agbo is a microwave-type scoring guard whose combination of quickness, a strong base and body control allow him to create off the dribble and get into his balanced mid-range jumper. Agbo has good shiftiness off the dribble which helps him get a step on his defender, earn a paint touch and either score at the rim or with a consistent, soft-touched floater.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->