Spring Kick Off (2017): 17U standouts (shooting guards)
DENVER, Colo. — Prep Hoops takes a look at some of the top 17U shooting guards who impressed this past weekend in Denver at the Spring Kick Off (2017).
0/24 — Cortney Dean, 6’5, 2018, Billups Elite
Dean is a lock-down defender who has a nice floater in the lane that he uses to finish tough chances. He had a good battle on Saturday with Mikey Wycoff of SSA Elite and was often left on an island 1-on-1 and held his own.
2 — Daylen Kountz, 6’3, 2018, Colorado Hawks
The state’s premier players in the 2018 class, Kountz helped lead the Colorado Hawks to the Spring Kick Off (2017) tournament championship as his squad won a hard-fought battle over SSA Elite Black. He is a smooth shooting guard able to get his own shot off the bounce, can get all the way to the bucket and finish around the rim and has a smooth left-handed stroke.
3 — Sam Bannec, 6’3, 2018, Billups Elite
Good finisher in traffic. Nice all-around game. Can create his own shot off the bounce and has a nice mid-range jumper that he sets up off the dribble. He’s an elite shooter from the perimeter.
4 — Sam Tilley, 6’4, 2018, Fort Collins, Colorado Titans
Has a raw skill set, but has good size and length. Has some really good moments in transition, finishing several tough chances on the break.
12 — James Pilon, 6’2, 2018, Arvada West, Wild
The Wild were essentially a high school team and Pilon was their best player. Averaged a team-high 14 ppg game last season. Has a nice crossover dribble and had some good moments shooting pull-up jumpers. Has a nice all-around game, can shoot the 3 and attacks the bucket.
21 — Mohamed Diallo, 6’4, 2018, George Washington, Colorado Titans
Smooth 2 guard that is good off the bounce and attacks the basket well. Has decent size and finishes well in transition. Really liked his ability to mix it up and attack the basket.
31 — Cole Sienknecht, 6’1, 2018, Manitou, The Force
Good, strong build for a guard. Does a good job finishing around the basket. A left-hander, Sienknecht has a nice outside shooting touch. A good rebounder and solid all-around performer.
43 — Mikey Wycoff, 6’3, 2018, SSA Elite Black
One of the better unsigned seniors in Kansas, Wycoff has reclassified and plans to attend Link Prep in Branson, Mo. He’s an elite shot creator, able to get his own shot off the bounce at nearly any time. He can play both guard positions and as he showed over the weekend leading SSA Elite to the championship game, is a winner.