Spring Preview: 2019’s Toughest Guards
The spring is now just about here and we are spending time over the next month preparing and previewing all you need to know about the 2019 class as AAU gets ready to get going. We will breakdown many areas with not only position breakdowns but the best of the best. Today, we are looking at those toughest prospects in the 2019 class.
Prospect | HT | POS | High School |
Brandon Newman | 6’3 | SG | Valparaiso |
J.P. Carroll | 5’10 | PG | Lawrence North |
McCall Ray | 5’11 | PG | Bedford North Lawrence |
Noah Smith | 6’1 | PG | Hamilton Southeastern |
Simon Banks | 6’2 | SG | Brebeuf Jesuit |
The class of 2019, as we have talked before, brings a bunch of size and a bunch of shooting. However, you still want to see the energy, that effort, that toughness.
Brandon Newman is the best of the guards in that regard. He’s so big and strong and that comes through in his play. He doesn’t sit down for anyone and he brings it every game.
J.P. Carroll, for his size, is about as tough as they come. He’s a lightning rod with his play at times and I think that toughness is what is going to make him better in the coming years. He’s able to impact the game against bigger competitors.
McCall Ray is that football/basketball kid that shows you why he’s good at both sports every time he comes out. You never worry about effort and he’s always able to play above his level because of it.
Noah Smith is a guy we like because of his toughness as a defender. He’s willing to be involved and be physical at the point of attack. He’s grown to where he is bigger than other guards and can now overpower them a bit.
Simon Banks is a big, big guard and he’s got the size and weight to be physical and tough with a variety of opposing players. He can really rebound, really guard, and has only scratched the surface but the base of his talent, the toughness and skill, is what will drive the development.