Ranked 2023 Guards Making Waves
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Updates to the 2023 rankings saw 13 new players added. Guards jumping into the list joined a solid group of rising juniors. A bunch of small school studs like Alec Carlson Alec Carlson 6'1" | CG Pawnee Heights | 2023…
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Continue ReadingUpdates to the 2023 rankings saw 13 new players added. Guards jumping into the list joined a solid group of rising juniors. A bunch of small school studs like Alec Carlson Alec Carlson 6'1" | CG Pawnee Heights | 2023 State KS (58), Jett Vincent Jett Vincent 6'0" | CG Canton-Galva | 2023 State KS (59) and Jordy Dolloff Jordy Dolloff 5'10" | PG Wichita Classical | 2023 State KS (60) entered the ranks.
Prep Hoops will be watching the summer tournaments for other 2023s who merit inclusion to the list, which will be updated in September.
Some of the ballers who were already on the list have impressed this summer. Here’s a quick look at the recent work of some of the guards in the 2023 rankings:
17 Britton Dutton Britton Dutton 6'0" | SG Argo Comm | 2023 State KS , 6-foot-1 guard, Midwest Magic Elite, Ellinwood HS:
Dutton is challenging himself by playing up with a really talented Magic club that has a lot of good guards. For that reason, Dutton is playing a lot of off-guard, which allows him to move without the ball and catch and shoot on the move. Dutton has a high-quality midrange jumper, which he can knock down moving in any direction, including jumping back to create space. He’s an athletic and tough player who can handle the rigors of playing up a level.
20 Kellan Simoneau Kellan Simoneau 6'2" | PG Rose Hill | 2023 State KS , 6-foot-1 guard, TBB KS, Rose Hill HS:
Ever the solid point man, Simoneau is getting a chance to work on all his skills this summer, because he’s on a club loaded with quality ball handlers. Simoneau is showing off a nice stroke from behind the arc, and ability to feed the post and find shooters from the wing. He also demonstrates some intense on-ball defense against really quality opposition. One thing that stands out about Simoneau, he’s practically flawless from the line. That’s a great skill in a point guard who will have the ball in his hands at crunch time.
21 Wesley Fair Wesley Fair 6'2" | CG Wichita Collegiate | 2023 KS , 6-foot-2 guard, TBB KS, Wichita Collegiate HS:
Fair earned some all-state recognitions for his fine work for Collegiate last season. For TBB KS, he’s showing off his powerful build and ability to lock on a man and shut him down. With so many talented offensive players on the club, Fair doesn’t have the ball in his hands a ton, nor does he take a ton of shots. But there’s no question he can score, having put up 12 points per game for a talented Collegiate squad as just a sophomore.
45 Sincere Austin Sincere Austin 5'10" | PG Topeka West | 2023 State KS , 5-foot-10 guard, Team KC, Topeka West HS:
Austin has grown since he was first ranked. He’s probably closer to 6-foot-1 now than last year when he came highly recommended by his club coaches. Since then, he gradually earned playing time for guard-rich Topeka West and was on the floor a lot during the Chargers during their run to the state finals. He’s demonstrating his smooth handle and ability to pick the right time to aggressively attack the bucket.
30 Brady Strausz Brady Strausz 6'3" | CG Andover | 2023 State KS , 6-foot-3 guard, TBB KS, Andover HS:
With so many quality guards on TBB KS, Strausz is showing he deserves to run the point and can be trusted to get the ball to the right places. His passing and court awareness shows up quickly, and he demonstrates a little flair for the highlight. He is strong with the ball, attacks the defense and creates his own shot when the opportunity arises. With graduations at Andover, look for Strausz role to really grow.
35 Keller Hurla Keller Hurla 6'0" | CG St. Marys | 2023 State KS , 6-foot guard, SSA Elite, St. Marys HS:
Playing up some this summer to continue to develop his game, Hurla is holding his own with the 2022s. He is a dynamite shooter from deep and in the midrange. He can drive and get off jumpers and floaters with his quickness and quick release. Hurla’s top-notch ball handling helps him find his own shot, but he’s also dishing out a lot of shot opportunities. Hurla averaged nearly 14 points per game as a sophomore leader of a really good high school team.