Team Preview: No Guts No Glory
Tucked away in Raleigh down on Garner Road, there’s another AAU grassroots program that goes by the name of No Guts No Glory. Headed by Ronald Austin, No Guts No Glory is a first-year program but that doesn’t mean they’re…
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Continue ReadingTucked away in Raleigh down on Garner Road, there’s another AAU grassroots program that goes by the name of No Guts No Glory. Headed by Ronald Austin, No Guts No Glory is a first-year program but that doesn’t mean they’re short on talent.
17U
They’re led by a trio of 2021 wing Randy Freeman Jr., unsigned senior Samuel Benton Jr. and NC Wesleyan signee Roderick Bailey Jr.. Freeman is a 6-foot-4 prospect that has developed a ton since the end of the high school season. He’s a confident scorer on all three levels and has consistent 3-point shot that should take him far.
Benton is a scrappy guard that picks up full court and pushes the pace on offense. He’s a smart scorer as well as a gritty defender that uses his defense to generate his offense. As an underrated shooter, utilizing his shot more should get him some more looks.
Bailey is a wiry guard that is also a pest on defense. He’s known for playing passing lanes and streaking to the basket for big dunks. He should strengthen the NC Wesleyan backcourt next season.
They’ve got other unsigned seniors on their squad too. 2019 forward Dominic Palko is one candidate that should get some looks. He’s a 6-foot-4 stretch-4 prospect that has unlimited range behind the arc but isn’t afraid to bang down low.
2020 guards Austin Manley and Jonathan Jones bring their own skill sets to the table. Manley is a crafty combo guard at 6-foot-4 that can fill it up from 3 and off the dribble. Jones is a quick 5-foot-10 guard that pressures the basketball on defense but gets to the basket with ease on offense. 2020 Alonzo Mallette is another explosive combo guard. He’s an explosive finisher that wants to finish at the rim.
15U
The No Guts No Glory 15U squad should be one to watch for years to come, even with a few younger players on the squad. Standouts are 2023 Jackson Watt, 2022 Ben Gruden, 2022 Kaden Li, 2022 Trevon Kittrell, 2022 K.J. Austin, 2022 Jakobi Bobbitt and 2024 Brandon Anderson.
Watt is a 6-foot-2 wing player that is an energizer bunny on both ends. He can score on all three levels and in the paint, he’s blocking everything. Gruden is a player that leads by example. He picks up full court on defense and wants to finish everything at the rim.
Li has nice size and length at 6-foot-1 and moves well with the ball in his hands. He’s a physical wing player that can score when needed. Kittrell is a wiry left-handed guard that has a knack for the 3-ball. His wingspan should carry him on defense.
Austin is a speedster with the ball in his hands. His quick first step allows him to blow by anybody on the defensive end and he’s a strong finisher. Bobbitt is a competitor. He showed flashes on numerous occasions of his ability to score in bunches and didn’t hesitate to move guys out his way to get to the bucket. Anderson is their youngest player but he doesn’t play like it. He’s emerging as a lead guard that should play up this summer.
Schedule:
Date | Event | Location |
May 4-5 | AAU States | Greensboro |
May 11-12 | TBD | TBD |
May 19 | Unsigned Senior Showcase | Greensboro |
May 25-26 | Big Shots Rocky Mount | Rocky Mount |
June 1-2 | Big Shots Raleigh | Raleigh |
June 9 | Phenom Showcase | Greensboro |
July 6-7 | Warmup for Live | TBD |
July 11-14 | Big Shots Myrtle Beach | Myrtle Beach |
July 16-20 | UBSA Nationals | Raleigh |