Top 5 Guards We’re Excited to Watch
The guard play across the state is electric and there is a buzz about different players from North to South and classification to classification. We have some undersized guards that can flat out play and score. We have some big…
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Continue ReadingThe guard play across the state is electric and there is a buzz about different players from North to South and classification to classification. We have some undersized guards that can flat out play and score. We have some big guards that can go inside and outside. There are guards that are an absolute blur on the floor. Then you top it off with those athletic guards that will posterize you. There is a lot to be excited about when it comes to guard play in Utah. The talent stems from Division 1 to the Nwac.
#1 6’2 Nolan Hickman Nolan Hickman 6'2" | PG Eastside Catholic | 2021 #29 Nation UT (Wasatch Academy)
If you want to see someone make the game look easy, you’re going to have to travel on down to Mount Pleasant to watch this 4-Star floor general work. The University of Kentucky commit is the real deal. He is a Top 30 player in the country and a Top 5 PG in the country as well. Nolan has all the tools you would want in a player that is running your team. He plays with his eyes up and can control the pace of the game in every aspect. He can speed up players on the defensive end and he can play under control at such a fast pace which will make him electric at the next level. He has some Chris Paul type game as he can really get to gis spots and make tough shots look easy fading away.
#2 6’4 Collin Chandler Collin Chandler 6'5" | CG Farmington | 2022 State #28 Nation UT (Farmington)
A lot of people knew Collin was good, but did they know he was as good as he is currently showing, probably not. Collin has put in so much work and it is paying off. He has shown his new tools that he has acquired this off-season against notable players across the west coast. Collin is the product of a player that put in work during the quarantine and it is paying off. He will be ranked among the top players in the country by a lot of media outlets because he has earned it. We are excited to watch what he can do against local competition. Farmington opens against East which will be the first look we get at one of the top players in the Class of 2022. You can’t give Collin too much space because he will hit some tough shots over you or he will simply drive you down to a spot where he can hit. You can’t play too close because he will blow by you and get to the rim as he has added multiple finishes to his layup package.
#3 5’11 Quentin Meza Quentin Meza 6'0" | PG Cyprus | 2023 State UT (Cyprus)
This kid is fun to watch. He has the type of game that is hard to defend because he can make his own adjustments to the way teams have decided to defend him. He has some impressive range and he simply finds ways to score. He is quick, fast and crafty out on the perimeter and when he gets into the paint. Quentin should be one of the top scorers in the state as he knows when to turn it on and take over. His movement without the ball in his hands in elite. One of the most impressive aspects of his game is his ability to read defenders off of the pick n’ roll. Oh, and by the way he is only going to be a sophomore.
#4 6’1 Jordan Ross Jordan Ross 6'3" | PG Link Academy | 2023 #132 Nation MO (Pleasant Grove)
Jordan is another one of those players that has put in some major work during this break as he has been getting in some impressive workouts with some notable players. His game is absolutely smooth. With some nice pieces around him, not only is he going to be fun to watch he is going to be fun to play with as he is always looking to make the right play. With a lot of Division 1 interest and some Division 1 offers already Jordan is another Class of 2023 prospect that has that game that you must watch.
#5 6’1 Noa Gonsalvez (Lehi)
With Noa committing to Dixie State a few months ago it’s easy to see that Noa’s game is special. He has some bounce and he can score at those three levels. This year will be different as he will be in an open offense. He will be one of those players that will be exciting to watch because he let’s the game come to him.
Notables
Talon Valdes Talon Valdes 6'0" | PG Juan Diego | 2021 State UT (Juan Diego)
Cannon Devries Cannon Devries 6'0" | PG Weber | 2022 State UT (Weber)
Trace Ross Trace Ross 6'3" | PG Corner Canyon | 2021 State UT (Corner Canyon)
Isaac Finlinson Isaac Finlinson 6'6" | CG Dixie | 2021 State UT (Dixie)
Rex Sunderland Rex Sunderland 6'4" | PG Davis | 2022 State UT (Davis)
Richard Isaacs Jr. (Wasatch Academy)
Chudi Anosike Chudi Anosike 6'5" | CG Murray | 2023 State UT (Murray)
Ben Krystowiak Ben Krystowiak 6'4" | CG Brighton | 2021 State UT (Olympus)