2023 Guards That Stood Out During Live Period
Christian Hammond Christian Hammond 6'3" | SG Colorado Prep | 2023 #160 Nation CA-S – Cherry Creek/Rough Riders-Give Coming into the season as the state’s top guard for 2023, Christian Hammond Christian Hammond 6'3" | SG Colorado Prep | 2023…
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Continue ReadingChristian Hammond Christian Hammond 6'3" | SG Colorado Prep | 2023 #160 Nation CA-S – Cherry Creek/Rough Riders-Give
Coming into the season as the state’s top guard for 2023, Christian Hammond Christian Hammond 6'3" | SG Colorado Prep | 2023 #160 Nation CA-S looks to solidify himself as Cherry Creek’s leading scorer this season. Last season, Hammond averaged 11.4 points per game at Cherry Creek, ranking third behind two seniors who have now graduated. The junior combo guard is too quick for most defenders, where he can use a simple jab or cross to create plenty of separation. On top of his agility, Hammond’s quick jump-shot off-the-catch and off-the-dribble allows him to be one of the few legitimate three level scorers in Colorado. While he is a score first guard, Hammond possesses the ability to hit passes in the pick and roll along with long distance full court dimes. He was also the only non-senior on Cherry Creek that averaged over 10 points per game, keeping tabs on offensive usage will be fascinating.
Silas McCurnin Silas McCurnin 6'2" | PG Poudre | 2023 State CO – Rocky Mountain Fever/Poudre HS (pictured above)
Averaging 22.4 points per game and leading his team in scoring, Silas McCurnin Silas McCurnin 6'2" | PG Poudre | 2023 State CO could be one of the state’s top five scorers this season. He is most comfortable getting his shots off the catch, where he needs absolutely no space. Similar to Hammond, he possesses a quick, lower release equipped for long range accuracy well beyond the three point line. Through his 14 games last season, McCurnin averaged nearly ten three-point attempts per game, where he converted 42% of those opportunities. His shooting splits are just as incredible for a sophomore (at the time), where he posted shooting percentages, (fg/3p/ft), of 51/42/86. McCurnin is not just a shooter, he uses his gravity to make defenders go over on screens which creates easier at-rim opportunities. He proved to have excellent touch around the rim, showcasing touch on floaters and off-hand layups. While I would not consider him as a primary playmaker just yet due to his passing numbers, he has plenty of time to build upon these areas.
Archer VanSickle Archer VanSickle 6'4" | CG Valor Christian | 2023 State CO – Regis Jesuit/PLUTO Prospects
Another confident ballhandler, VanSickle will be asked to make the jump at Regis along with teammates Tarea Fulcher Tarea Fulcher 5'11" | PG Regis Jesuit | 2023 State CO and Cole Records Cole Records 6'3" | SF Regis Jesuit | 2023 State CO . VanSickle is a scorer at heart, who can punish you off the catch and off the bounce. Unlike most complementary two-guards, he makes sure to keep the ball alive in case he finds a cutter or catches the defense sleeping. While he can take a while to heat up, once the 39% three point shooting VanSickle finds the muscle memory there is little opponents can do to stop him. I look forward to seeing how VanSickle improves as a secondary ballhandler next to Fulcher, as his on-ball creation will be needed for the next level.
Tarea Fulcher Tarea Fulcher 5'11" | PG Regis Jesuit | 2023 State CO – Regis Jesuit/Rough Riders-Give
When we talk about shifty athletes, Tarea Fulcher Tarea Fulcher 5'11" | PG Regis Jesuit | 2023 State CO immediately comes to mind. At only 5’10”, he does incredibly well leveraging his low center of gravity to manipulate on-ball screens for shots around the rim. An example of this would be selling a drive, as his defender moves to catch up, Fulcher will bring it back only to explode past the off-balance defender. Given his lack of size, Fulcher is creative using his playmaking toolbox with either hand through an array of crossovers and hesitations. Going forward, I would like to see him incorporate the cross-jab that has been popularized by NBA sensation Ja Morant. Given his ability to control pace, Fulcher is also a playmaking maestro as he accurately makes one-handed skip passes or hits the roller through traffic. Regis will be a tough team, featuring well known perimeter threats such as Matt Yost Matt Yost 6'5" | SF Regis | 2022 State CO , Cole Records Cole Records 6'3" | SF Regis Jesuit | 2023 State CO , Kyle Sandler Kyle Sandler 6'7" | SF Hargrave Military Academy | 2022 State CO , and Archer VanSickle Archer VanSickle 6'4" | CG Valor Christian | 2023 State CO . This team will be the perfect set-up for Fulcher, who will have ideal spacing to create for himself and his team.
Rickey Mitchell Rickey Mitchell 6'3" | CG Smoky Hill | 2023 State CO – Smoky Hill/Rough Riders-Give
Another excellent shot creator, Mitchell has the ability to heat up unlike most guards in the state. The Metropolitan State Team Camp was the first time I saw him, he put on a show with 51 points with at least six unassisted threes. The funny part with Mitchell, he has that ability to hit shots from six feet beyond the arc and as he gets stronger the consistency only grows. Since he can be so prolific on the perimeter, defenders cannot afford to leave him much space at all. Thus allowing him to blow by aggressive defenders who stray well beyond the three-point line. While possessing such gravity, he does well baiting defenders often leading to fouls around the rim.