Ruggles played well when we saw him earlier this summer. He plays with an edge that’s hard to ignore. He got downhill, stepped ou and shot the ball a bit, and was using his size. I liked how he put pressure on the defense, and that is something that could translate. That’s the same mentality I’d love to see carry over to the showcase because guards who consistently play downhill tend to separate themselves, and he brings that. 

Ruggles is a young guard we’ve gotten eyes on, and he began to stand out with an aggressive, confident style of play. He can put pressure on defenses, attack downhill with purpose and keep defenders on their heels. What really stands out about him at this stage is how composed he looks finishing through contact, using creative angles and positioning to get shots off around the rim. He shows natural scoring instincts, including spin moves, body control and the ability to adjust his shot when needed. Beyond the scoring he competes with energy and brings a strong feel for the game on every possession. As we continue tracking this class, Ruggles is clearly trending as a watchlist level guard moving forward

Ruggles was a player who had my attention this weekend as a solid young guard for Blaze Basketball, who was very aggressive and assertive throughout the event. He had some bump finishes where he converted through contact and was the initiator of physical play, and that is rare from a young guard. He’s confident, he understands counter moves, and he was a creative finisher at the basket. He had a few spin move finishes, drew contact, and has great instincts. He continued to apply pressure to defenses, and that unlocks a ton in his game. Ruggles is a player to keep an eye on as he has an excellent feel for the game.