San Antonio Rankings: Top 2021 Shooting Guards Pt. 2
CITY RANKINGS SERIES: SAN ANTONIO – Highlights the top 50 players in the San Antonio-Metroplex and surrounding areas for the 2021 class. We now move on to the shooting guard position, where 15 playmakers made our top 50 rankings. Each…
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Continue ReadingCITY RANKINGS SERIES: SAN ANTONIO – Highlights the top 50 players in the San Antonio-Metroplex and surrounding areas for the 2021 class. We now move on to the shooting guard position, where 15 playmakers made our top 50 rankings. Each of these players stood-out and made an impact with their play during grassroots circuits or for their respective varsity teams throughout their high school career.
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Here is the San Antonio Rankings: Top 2021 Shooting Guards Pt.2 (#1-7)
#1 – Shane Johnson Shane Johnson 6'3" | SG San Antonio Johnson | 2021 State TX (6-2) – Johnson
Johnson comes in at the top spot of our shooting guard rankings as the dual-sport athlete had a huge junior season both on the hardwood and on the gridiron. A physical playmaker at the wing position, Johnson can light up opponents from three-point territory or play through contact and finish at the rim. Has a smooth and effortless shot and release. Has good vision and is a strong passer. Battles for rebounds, and does a great job of attacking the offensive boards. Earned All-District 27-6A First Team & MVP / TABC 6A Region 4 All-Region Team
#2 – Jonas Carlisle Jonas Carlisle 6'3" | SG South San | 2021 State TX (6-2) – South San Antonio
Carlisle enjoyed an impressive junior season with South San Antonio averaging 15.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.9 steals per game for the Bobcats. He does most of his damage in the paint and in the mid-range, but he also possesses a nice three-point shot where he can hit as a spot-up shooter or off the dribble. Very strong finisher at the rim with either hand and can post-up smaller guards. A technically sound player. Carlisle also plays hard on defense and does a great job of defending guards on the perimeter and mid-range. Earned All-District 27-6A First Team
#3 – Keilon Johnson (6-4) – Madison
An elite defensive player who is also tenacious on the boards, Johnson is a bulldog on the court who is always hustling. Averaged 14.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.3 steals during his junior season for Madison. Johnson is a lockdown defender who is tough to get around and is also a terrific help-side shot blocker. Goes after rebounds aggressively. Has great size for the shooting guard position. On offense, Johnson attacks the rim and has several moves that allow him to create space to finish at the basket. Shot 48% from the field and 33% from beyond-the-arc. Earned All-District 27-6A First Team
#4 – Gavin Gibson (6-3) – Brandeis
A long and lean wing prospect, Gibson is a three-level scorer who is just tapping into his potential as a shooter. Gibson averaged 10.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.3 steals during his junior year for Brandeis. Has a smooth release and can hit shots with defenders in his face, including catch-and-shoot three-pointers. Has a nice pull-up mid-range jumper. Shot 58% from the floor and 41% from three (26 makes). Shows great ability to get around opponents to attack the basket. Gibson also displays good vision when penetrating and kicking it out to teammates. Earned All-District 28-6A Second Team
#5 – Akhwari Smith (6-2) – Steele
Smith was a playmaker on both ends of the court for Cibolo Steele during his junior season, averaging 11.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.0 steal per contest. The uber-athletic guard shot over 50% from the field and was the second-leading scorer for the Knights. Does a great job of attacking the basket and can be an acrobatic and creative finisher. Flashes on defense with elite quickness and anticipation. Smith also does a great job running the fast break and finishing in transition. Earned All-District 26-6A First Team
#6 – Kaijon Thornton (6-2) – Wagner
An explosive lefty who can play either guard position, Thornton averaged 9.5 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.0 steals for Wagner this past season. Uses his elite short-area quickness and burst to get by opponents into the paint. A smooth finisher around the rim who can also splash with some impressive dunks. Has a developing three-point shot where he could be lethal from deep during his senior year. Thornton has a locked-in focus on both ends of the court. Earned All-District 26-5A Second Team
#7 – Joseph Taylor (6-3) – Johnson
Taylor has nice size and bounce for the wing position, and was an impact player for Johnson during his junior season. Taylor is all over the court making plays and can be a difference-maker on defense creating steals and turnovers. Plays terrific off-ball defense and has great awareness. Taylor is explosive when going toward the basket and can finish above taller opponents. Has a nice mid-range pull up jumper, and is a great spot-up shooter from deep. Earned All-District 27-6A First Team