New England Juniors to Watch: Combo Guards
The region has many athletes who can control the pace, initiate their team’s offense, and play off the ball. A guard who shows that versatility is extremely valuable and makes them the ultimate threat to a defense. Here are some…
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Continue ReadingThe region has many athletes who can control the pace, initiate their team’s offense, and play off the ball. A guard who shows that versatility is extremely valuable and makes them the ultimate threat to a defense. Here are some combo guards from the class of 2022 who should have our undivided attention.
Taejan Silva – Virginia Prep Sports Academy/Brockton – 6’5” – SG/SF/PG – 2022
Silva is a mismatch nightmare at the guard spot. He has the unique combination of height, speed, strength, and ball-handling ability to play multiple positions on the court. A proficient perimeter shooter, Silva can be a huge threat off the ball spotting up. VA Prep has many players who can create offense in the halfcourt; therefore, having a player like Silva capable of knocking down catch and shoot jumpers is vital to the team’s success. Silva is a trustworthy ball-handler who will not turn it over and is excellent at starting the fast break with his pinpoint outlet passes. I believe his most underrated attribute is his passing. The zip he puts on his chest passes in the open court, and being able to lead his teammates to the basket can get overlooked because he is such a great scorer. Silva’s 6’5” frame comes in handy when VA Prep wants to break a press because he can push dribble past the opponent and muscle them past the midcourt. Silva is an athlete who makes life easier for his team with his elite all-around offense game and is difficult to contain for opposing teams.
Axel Traina – Cushing Academy – 6’2” – PG/SG – 2022
Transferring from Seattle, Washington, Traina can’t wait to showcase his skills for Cushing Academy. One of the more unselfish players you will watch, Traina, moves the ball beautifully on offense. He is always looking to make the extra pass and turn down shot opportunities for himself to get a better scoring opportunity for his teammates. Traina moves without the ball well and is conscious of spacing and where to be on the floor. His accurate perimeter shooting keeps the defense on their toes and is deadly in the pick and roll from the wing. Capable of hitting his big with a precise pass off the roll or coming off the screen and pulling up from mid-range, the junior transfer can maximize the team’s offense’s efficiency when the ball is in his hands. A pesky on-ball defender, Traina slides his feet well and gets in the ball handler’s shorts to force tough shots and turnovers.
Denzel Correia – Rocky Hill County Day – 6’3” – PG/SG – 2022
Correia is one of the most aggressive scoring combo guards. He has the physical gifts and skillset to take over a game on offense whenever he wants. His array of iso moves and ability to separate from his defender allows him to score at will. His length at 6’3” gives him a considerable advantage to elevate over the defense when shooting jump shots or attacking the rim. As dominant a scorer that Correia is, what goes underappreciated is what he does off the ball. He is not a player who sits around the perimeter waiting for the ball to come to him so he can go to work on offense. Correia is a guard who will do little things such as set an off the ball screen to keep the offense moving or working high post against a zone defense. As a basketball player, his intelligence and I.Q. are where the value is with Correia and not just his sheer athleticism and size. He can make his team better without scoring and recognizes when he needs to assert himself and carry the load offensively. When you add on the physical attributes, it enhances his game and makes him one of the best two-way guards in the region.
Isaac Allen – Methuen High – 5’10 – PG/SG – 2022
Allen is a very explosive scorer, and it is impressive how easy he can put up points considering his size. Displaying a quick first step and a killer crossover, Allen can get into the paint at will. His killer instinct at the end of games separates him from other scorers in the Merrimack Valley Conference. When the game is on the line, Allen takes his game up a notch and shows poise and confidence to close out games. His ability to shoot and hit over a taller defender, while highly contested, is jaw-dropping and he makes it look easy. Hitting these difficult shots so effortlessly adds a dimension to his game that makes him unstoppable on the offensive end. Besides his scoring, Allen is a phenomenal rebounder for his size. His ability to crash the glass adds to his value on the court and allows coaches to play him at the 2 guard spot. He is an excellent three-level scorer who is unselfish enough to make sure his teammates are involved in the Methuen offense. A gritty defender always willing to sacrifice his body and take charges, Allen has the lateral quickness and mental toughness to defend both guard positions.
Pat White – Apponequet High – 6’5” – PG/SG – 2022
White is having a spectacular junior campaign. Ranking 3rd in points, 1st in rebounds, and 2nd in assists in the South Coast Conference, it is clear that he is one of the most well-rounded players in Eastern Massachusetts. Realistically, you can play White at four different positions, but he is very effective initiating the Apponequet offense at the 1. For a player to have that big of a size advantage at the point guard position, they would naturally just dominate the smaller defender and score over them repeatedly. White is such a skilled passer that he instead looks to get his teammates involved rather than shoot it every possession. His bounce passes stand out because they are so crisp, and he can put them right in his teammate’s hands in a position to shoot. When he is not orchestrating the offense, he is finding open spots on the outside to shoot. White can light it up with the best, and it is impossible to bother his shot due to his fast release and height. A valuable asset in the pick and roll game, the junior combo guard sets solid screens and can pop and drill the three or roll hard to the hoop, where he is so good at absorbing contact and finishing.
Julio Goodridge – Virginia Prep Sports Academy/Brockton – 6’3” – SG/PG – 2022
Goodridge is an elite shooter. He is a threat to shoot once he crosses midcourt and has the concentration to bury shots contested. When defenses run him off the three-point line, Goodridge has no problem showing off his mid-range game and is automatic. He is a unique off-ball scorer because he does not need to dribble to leave a significant impact on the court. His catch and shooting ability is so deadly that when he is working on getting open by running off of countless screens, he does not need to put the ball on the floor to create a shot. Goodridge is also a player you can trust to initiate the offense. A terrific ball-handler, the 6’3” guard takes care of the ball and creates opportunities for his team, therefore providing a good backup option at point guard if needed. Goodridge in transition has shown that he is much more than just a knockdown shooter. His ability to lead the break with accurate outlet passes or keeping the ball and slicing his way through the defense to score makes him an excellent combo guard for Virginia Prep.