The Next Wave of 3A Backcourt Talent

A lot of these evaluations start with a simple note in the notebook: "Need to see more." That's where this group falls. None of these guards are complete unknowns, but they also aren't the players everyone is talking about. What they have done is show enough flashes to make me curious. With bigger opportunities likely ahead this season, these are a few 3A combo guards that could find themselves on a lot more radars before long.   Use code dev30 for 30% off and secure access as we're going through rankings and got you covered for the grassroots season. You don't want to miss any of our scouting.     [player_tooltip player_id='2843156' first='Elijah' last=''] was one of 3A's top scorers and under the radar standouts a season ago as he led Olathe to an 18-6 overall record. Gordon put up 19.3 points a game. The scoring consistency and impacting the game on both ends of the floor gave his team a chance every single night, and he had a stretch to finish off the year where he averaged 24 points a game to make a deep playoff push. Everyone knew whose hands the ball would be in for Olathe, and he still delivered. The combo guard also put up 3.9 steals a game, and recorded 3.5 rebounds a game to go along with it. He shot the 3-ball, attacked the paint, and finished amongst bigs and had a consistent mid-range game as well. Heading into his junior year, I am expecting him to have an even bigger year and be more of a name that others know. He's a solid 2028.     Meeker is not a player that we have covered before, which is a bit shocking given how he was able to perform as a junior. The 5'11 combo guard was a scoring force for Meeker as he put up 18.4 points a game. There were not many shots that he did not like, as he was a tough shot taker and maker, and he was the team's leader on the floor. Sanders also had 5.8 rebounds a game which showed his efforts on the glass, got to the FT line, and he showed up in big games. Now a year older, I am expecting a boost in his game and for the game to slow down for him a bit more. He's a name to watch who we have big expectations for heading into the season.     This is our first time writing about Grayson Clay, and with the season that he had, it will not be the last time. Clay had some key moments for Liberty Common as he put up 13.9 points a game as a junior. The 6'1 CG was lights out from deep as he hit 45 3-pointers on the year, had two assists a game, and also helped out on the boards. Clay had the green light for Liberty Commo,n and now he will step into a spot where he's the team's leading scorer and go-to guy. He will have to be ready for double teams, find the open man, and get the ball moving. Liberty Common will go as he goes so it's a big year for him.     Roaring Fork was a team that earned everyone's respect this year as they played with chemistry, hard, and the right way. One of their top players and will be their returning best player is guard, Quentin Galbraith. Galbraith did what was asked of him as a floor general who had to score, facilitate, and keep Roaring Fork in games. They won their conference with a perfect 12-0 record and had a solid season at 20-4. He put up 11.8 points a game while being a defensive pest who got his hands on everything. He had 2.2 steals a game, turning defense into offense, and had some momentum-changing plays. Big year for him to get on more radars but is an under-the-radar player poised for a big year.     Rose is a player who we have seen have some flashes for Yuma, and those flashes have kept him on the radar, and he's stepping into an important junior year where he can be a glue guy and difference maker. Rose can be a plug-and-play kind of guard who runs the offense, gets the team in their sets, attacks off the dribblle and uses the PnR to get to who he wants, and when he's looking to score, he's even better of a player because it opens up the rest of the offense. He had a couple of big games this year like against Limon and Akron where he was efficient as a scorer and made the right choices. But also others like against McClave and Wiggins where they didn't need the scoring but more of the setting the table. Now it is about finding that blend and getting his name out there as an under-the-radar player who could make an impact.

A lot of these evaluations start with a simple note in the notebook: "Need to see more." That's where this group falls. None of these guards are complete unknowns, but they also aren't the players everyone is talking about. What they have done is show enough flashes to make me curious. With bigger opportunities likely ahead this season, these are a few 3A combo guards that could find themselves on a lot more radars before long.