Maryland/DC/VA Summer Stock Boosters: 2019 Guards (Part 2)
We spent most of June and July on the road evaluating prospects from the DMV at various events, and now its time to take a look back at what we’ve learned. Here we begin by taking a look at some of the players who’ve helped themselves with consistently strong play over the summer. In this edition we highlight five class of 2019 guards that have done just that. Special thanks to Open Look Analytics for providing all advanced stats referenced below.
6’2 PG Xavier Johnson | Team CP25/Episcopal (VA)
Xavier Johnson gained valuable experience last summer playing up on the 17U Adidas Gauntlet, and we were not surprised to see him excel in a primary lead guard role this summer with Team Chandler Parsons. A high IQ floor general who is efficient with the ball, the 6-foot-2 rising senior played a key part in his team finishing eighth among all Gauntlet Gold Teams in Points-Per-Possession Differential, and has seen his recruitment begin to trend up as a result. Johnson led Team CP25 in Assist Rate (20.3%), FT% (77.4%), was second in % Minutes Played (74%), Offensive Rating (111.1), True Shooting % (58.6%), but also had a relatively low Usage (17.4%) and Turnover Rate (19.7%).
6’2 PG Callum Baker | Canada Elite/Bishop Walsh (MD)
While Canada Elite did not perform well on the UAA, Callum Baker showed that he can make an impact at the next level in a multitude of ways, specifically with his defense and shot making abilities. The versatile 6-foot-2 guard held his own, and did so while shooting efficiently and not only rebounding but also defending at a high level. Baker led Canada Elite in 3P% (34.4%), FT% (88.9%), but also was among the team leaders in Steal% (1.7%) and Turnover Rate (19.5%).
6’2 PG Heru Bligen | 6th Man Warriors/St. Andrew’s (MD)
Despite not playing on a “circuit” team this summer, Heru Bligen showed that he is more than capable of high level lead guard play in a very competitive Hoop Group Showcase League. The aggressive playmaker, who holds a handful division one of scholarship offers from the likes of Stony Brook, Robert Morris, and Coppin State, is a no-brainer division one prospect with the intangibles that should enable make an impact from day one.
6’0 PG Jordan Hairston | New World/Westfield (VA)
Jordan Hairston not only showed that he could make shots against high level competition this summer, but also convert efficiently while holding his own on the defensive end. The skilled point guard prospect, who recently picked up his first division one offer from Boston University, should see more schools pull the trigger sooner rather than later as a result of his consistently productive play. Hairston led New World in Effective Field Goal% (66%), True Shooting% (66.1%), and 3P% (52.3%), and finished second in Steal% (1.8%), Offensive Rating (121.9), and Assist Rate (15.5%).
6’1 PG Jahmir Young | Team Takeover/DeMatha (MD)
One could argue that Jahmir Young had a more productive summer than any other point guard on Team Takeover’s roster this summer. The skilled and explosive southpaw was as consistent as any player for Keith Stevens when called upon, and the numbers don’t lie. Young led his positional peers in Offensive Rating (123.4), True Shooting% (58.6%), Defensive Rebound% (9.6%), Assist Rate (19.4%), Turnover Rate (11.1%), and 2PT% (52.9). He is also one of only two players to feature in every game for TTO this summer despite his relatively low Minutes Share (40.6%).