Stand out guards from Week 7
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This week’s standout guards feature some elite scorers in the state. Buckets were plentiful when seeing these guys lace them up. They also were able to balance their scoring with getting their teammates involved and are sure fire impact players…
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Continue ReadingThis week’s standout guards feature some elite scorers in the state. Buckets were plentiful when seeing these guys lace them up. They also were able to balance their scoring with getting their teammates involved and are sure fire impact players at the next level.
Efrem ‘Butta’ Johnson Efrem ‘Butta’ Johnson 6'4" | NA lbs | SG Grissom | 2022 State #NA Nation AL 6’4 SG/PG Grissom 2022
Johnson is an elite shot creator who’s a top-tier scorer in the state. Throughout the week, Johson showed an ability to stay poised no matter what the defense throws at him and hit contested shots regularly. As a three-level scorer, his game is polished and very mature for his age. He’s one of the more college-ready prospects in all of the state. His silky smooth release is effective from deep and midrange. He can post up smaller guards and create off the dribble when facing bigger wings. He’s developed a floater to enhance his in-between game, shows a nice change of pace when in iso situations, and has an array of moves to evade defenders when attacking in transition. Johnson has also demonstrated improvement in the playmaking department and has stepped up as a willing passer. He does an excellent job of breaking down defenses and catching help-side defenders over helping and giving his teammates great looks. He also takes on doubles teams and creates high percentage looks for his shooters when operating on the wing or high post.
MJ Jones 6’0 PG/SG Pelham 2022
Jones continues to dominate with speed, shooting, and competitive fire. He’s been serving 30 pieces like a Popeyes drive-thru and is pound for pound one of the best scorers in the state. Jones has elite quickness and handles that enable him to create space, break down defenders, and get to the rim at will. He’s nearly impossible to guard when going downhill in transition or coming off screens in the half-court. His jumper has improved throughout the season, and he is an excellent shooter off the catch. He can also score in the mid-range with floaters and efficient pull-up jumpers. As a playmaker, Jones has elite vision and can drop dimes if the defense over helps. He shows elite vision and accuracy when delivering the ball to shooters and creates high percentage shots for others regularly. Also is highly effective in reading and reacting in pick and roll situations.
‘22 PG Mj Jones (@m_jjones10) finished with 35p-5a-5r-5s (7 threes) in his team win on Friday! One of the best PGs available. His 4th 30+ point game of the season!! pic.twitter.com/CGmhK2HSaJ
— (Coach John) (@HawksEliteAAU) December 13, 2021
Ryan Burkett 5’9 PG/ SG Gardendale 2024
Burkett is an elite 3&D guard who can change the game on both sides of the floor. He is a top-tier defender in his class and is easily one of the more disruptive defenders in the state. As a roamer, he excels in using his elite quickness to jump passes in full-court traps; he plays like an elite free safety and feasts off of mistakes and plays recognition. Though undersized, he’s a gritty defender who willingly sacrifices his body to set charges as well. Burket is a solid shooter off the catch and spaces the floor at a high level. He can also attack closeouts and get downhill and make plays at the rim or create easy baskets for others.
Amazing finish, @GdaleBasketball 👏🏻
We are proud of you!! pic.twitter.com/5tqgNweo6e— Gardendale Girls Basketball (@rocketbball1) December 11, 2021
Simon Walker James Clemons 2025
Walker is a freshman who can shoot with the best of em’ regardless of class. He is an elite floor spacer who can operate effectively as a stationary or movement shooter. Walker possesses an excellent jumper with solid form. He has nice balance, elevation, and a rapid-fire release that mitigates the effect of closeouts. He does an excellent job of not settling for the three and uses his pump fake well to get to his mid-range pull-up, which is cash if he’s open. While being a key contributor to a playoff-bound team, Walker will continue to enhance his game and is one of the more promising prospects in the 2025 class.
Izzy Miles Izzy Miles 6'1" | CG Grissom | 2023 AL 6’2 SG/ PG Grissom 2023
Miles is one of the best combo guards in the state and a prototypical secondary ball handler. His shooting is elite coming off the dribble or on the catch. His mid-range jumper is one of the best in the state, and he always finds a way to get to his hot spots. In addition to that, he creates space with his elite first step and quickness. He does an excellent job of being efficient with his dribbles and using angles to get to the rim. Miles also excels in catch and shoot and can space the floor as an off guard with his accuracy from deep. As secondary ball-handler Miles is sufficient at running the offense, distributing shots among teammates, and executing fast breaks. He does a great job of knowing when to score and when to get others involved.
21pts 4 reb 2 stl @HoopSeenAL @Dcrealspill @977ESPN @PrepHoopsAL @GrissomHoops @UNA_Basketball @MercerMBB pic.twitter.com/OsV5wtPc0F
— Izzy Miles (@IzzyMiles5) December 8, 2021