2024 class: Best guards in Division II
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The 2024 class saw a lot of playing time in Division II over the course of the 2020 season. Some of the prospects in the class had to grow up fast and become of the cornerstones in their respective programs.…
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Continue ReadingThe 2024 class saw a lot of playing time in Division II over the course of the 2020 season.
Some of the prospects in the class had to grow up fast and become of the cornerstones in their respective programs.
It wasn’t a bad idea to throw the freshmen in the fire, because some of them were already equipped to handle some adversity and pressure.
The 2024 class has a chance to be special. The good thing that happened to some of them was that a season was able to take place, and they were able to play a full season.
Here are the best guards that highlighted the 2024 class in Division II.
Jaye Nash Jaye Nash 6'2" | PG McEachern | 2024 State GA , Briarcrest: Nash is coming behind two-time Mr. Basketball Award winner Kennedy Chandler. Those are some big shoes to fill, but in Nash’s case, he has a chance to be in a league of his own as well. Nash started at point guard for the Saints and wanted to win right away. The 6-foot-1 point guard showed flashes of being a leader for Briarcrest. Nash is explosive, has a quick, first step and knows how to finish at the rim. He will need to shoot the ball at a high clip in order to be a hard task, but Nash, who averaged 9.0 points, 7.0 assists and 6.8 assists last season, gave viewers a small dose of what’s to come.
Cooper Haynes Cooper Haynes 6'3" | SG Briarcrest Christian | 2024 State TN , Briarcrest: Haynes played in the backcourt with Nash, and their chemistry was there from the start of the 2020 season. The 6-3 shooting guard made a name for himself by how he was able to score the basketball. Haynes got his aura of shots within the offense. He was hard to defend because he’s left-handed. Haynes, who averaged 20.8 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists on 51 percent shooting from the field, made his shots from the perimeter look easy. He has a chance to be one of the best shooters in this class.
Christian Gilliland, Northpoint Christian: Gilliland has the making of being a solid combo guard. He’s another lefty that’s hard to guard. Gilliland made a positive impact for the Trojans. He thrives in the open court, when he’s able to get down hill. Gilliland can finish with either hand. The 6-1 guard moves well without the basketball and can make shots from the perimeter. Northpoint Christian has a guard that’s only going to get better for the next three seasons.
Marcus Gray. St. Benedict: Gray had his moments for the Eagles in 2020. The shooting guard showed he’s not afraid to take shots. Gray didn’t shy away from being one of St. Benedict’s main scoring options. In just one season, he showed leadership and accountability.
Tre Davis, Lausanne: The Lynx brought back championship-experienced guards from 2019 into the 2020 in Hayden Ledbetter Hayden Ledbetter 5'10" | PG Lausanne | 2022 State TN and A.J. Dilworth A.J. Dilworth 5'9" | PG Lausanne | 2023 TN , but Davis had to help carry the load offensively. The 6-4 shooting guard is already shaping up to be an offensive specimen. Davis has a nice release and is already well-coached to take a lot of smart shots. He’s coming off a season averaging 10 points per game for a Lausanne team that’s bringing back everything in 2021.
Tyler Tanner Tyler Tanner 6'1" | PG Brentwood Academy | 2024 State #133 Nation TN , Brentwood Academy: Tanner is a warrior on the hardwood floor. He played a huge part in the Eagles’ run to the DII-AA Boys’ State Tournament Runner-Up finish. The 5-10 guard became a household name in Brentwood Academy’s semifinals win over Christian Brothers. He scored all 22 of his points in the second half and went 5 for 7 from the field. Tanner displayed his ability to take over a game. That’s a lot to ask a freshman to do, but it was in the state tournament, and Tanner wasn’t afraid to put the team on his shoulders. That drive will help him be a better player in 2021.