Jr. EYBL: Carolinas’ Top Young Guards

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>USE CODE “baxley30” FOR 30% OFF THE FIRST PURCHASE OF ANY SUBSCRIPTION</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The future of basketball in the Carolinas was on full display at this weekend's Jr. EYBL event in North Augusta, where some of the region's top 2030 and 2031 prospects competed against elite talent from across the country. Among the standouts were several young guards from North Carolina and South Carolina who showcased advanced skill, confidence, and poise well beyond their age. Here are the backcourt prospects who made the strongest impressions:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2419237"],"_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-6a54014ff35dd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">First up on this list of the Carolinas' Top Young Guards is [player_tooltip player_id='2419237' first='Jayden' last='Lewis']. Lewis is the starting Point Guard for Maryland-based Team Durant and just transferred to Gray Collegiate Academy following an All-State 8th-grade year at Camden. Jayden had the offense running smoothly all game long in Thursday's matchup with Bradley Beal Elite, doing a good job of making reads and getting his teammates involved. Team Durant runs a lot of ball-screen actions, but even when sets broke down, Lewis was able to create off the dribble, as well as get out in transition and attack a retreating defender. Jayden finished with 14 points, 5 assists, and 3 steals in the win. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3688293"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":3688311,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-6a54014ff3634"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Emory is one of the top emerging prospects in South Carolina. Having just received offers from Georgia, Coastal Carolina, and Presbyterian, he was definitely one I wanted to watch compete against the best in the country. McIntyre didn't have a ton of ball-handling or playmaking responsibility for this CP3 squad, but he did make his presence felt on the defensive end of the floor and got more comfortable offensively as the game went on. He is a skilled shooter off the catch, has a unique feel as a passer, and is explosive playing off two feet in the lane. Emory had 10 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists by my count until the 2:00 mark of the second half in a matchup with NY Rens. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":3693243,"_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-6a5421c53f33f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The first North Carolina guard to make the list is Pannell. Zayden runs with Emory on [program_tooltip program_id='2226228' first='Team' last='CP3'], and he is often the guy who has the ball in his hands to start possessions. I tracked Pannell with 8 assists in Thursday's first game, as he did a great job of creating paint touches where he can kick to shooters, dump off to a big man, or finish himself. CP3 was at their best when he got downhill, and he also had some success playing with speed in transition. Zayden is certainly one of the young guards to know out of the Greensboro area. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3671550"],"_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-6a54014ff3694"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Although I didn't get to see him at his very best, there were still lots of good things to see from Jackson on Thursday. He is a fast-paced Point Guard who wants to push the tempo every chance he gets. Whether that's after a turnover, a missed shot, or even a made one, Dickerson was always looking to gain an advantage and get a teammate an easier look. He also displayed some shiftiness with the ball in his hands and has a strong frame, so it's all about understanding the right way to play and the right chances to take in order for him to be his best and his team to be successful.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3693257"],"_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-6a5421c53f3b6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Flipping down to the 2031 class, [player_tooltip player_id='3693257' first='Ray'Kell' last='Mosley'] out of Dixie High School and [program_tooltip program_id='3565368' first='Twelve' last='Time'] is an early one to get familiar with. He went for 10 points, 5 assists, and 6 steals in a high-level matchup with AEBL on Thursday. Mosley has good burst and twitch for his age, which allows him to frequently get into the paint and beat defenders in the open floor. That, along with his handle, was evident all game long. His finishing, shooting, and facilitating all came in waves, but once he gains the feel and consistency, Ray'Kell has the chance to be a special guard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3693260"],"_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-6a5421c53f407"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='3693260' first='Teddy' last='Ward Jr.'] rounds out this list of the Carolinas' Top Young Guards. He goes to American Leadership Academy Middle School and was playing with [program_tooltip program_id='2134373' first='Team' last='USC Unleashed'] in Augusta this week. Despite being one of the smallest players on the floor, Ward Jr. had no problem getting his shots off on the perimeter and wasn't shy to attack the rim. He hit 3 second-half threes and had a nice floater on Thursday against Pro Skills, displaying an early, intriguing offensive skillset. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->