Class of 2024: “Head of the Class” Guards
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Strong guard play has long been an aspect that has allowed Oklahoma, a traditionally smaller state, to standout to college coaches. The Class of 2024 has a deep group of guards at the top that have already achieved success at…
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Continue ReadingStrong guard play has long been an aspect that has allowed Oklahoma, a traditionally smaller state, to standout to college coaches. The Class of 2024 has a deep group of guards at the top that have already achieved success at the high school and AAU levels, while also barely scratching the surface long term.
David Castillo David Castillo 6'1" | PG Sunrise Christian Academy (KS) | 2024 #80 Nation KS , 6’2 Combo Guard, Bartlesville
Why he’s elite:
Already a 1,000 point scorer for the Bruins, Castillo’s national resume is even more impressive than his in state accolades. He’s regarded as a nationally ranked 5 star, won a Gold Medal last summer with Team USA basketball and has a chance to earn a spot on another Team USA national team later this month. While a strong overall player, scoring is what really separates the Bruin from the pack. He can draw and finish through contact, hit a floater in traffic or stop and nail the mid range jumper. Those aspects of his scoring package are nice but perhaps his best trait is his deep shooting. He might be the best three point shooter in the Class of 2024 and one of the top shooters in the state regardless of class. Castillo has game changing ability from beyond the arc. He’s deadly pulling up off the dribble or as a sniper in catch and shoot situations.
What’s next?
The question now: how does Castillo not only maintain his lofty status, but also enhance it? He’s had a successful spring playing among 17U players and other elite 2024s playing up on Nike’s premier circuit. His scoring obviously translates, with multiple games with barrages of three pointers and other skillful scoring. But these experiences against other cream of the crop players has highlighted what he needs to work on. He needs to improve his point guard skills.
Transition has been hit or mess, as there are good moments of looking ahead, making the right pass and getting the team rolling. But other times, he has preferred a slower tempo. Which combined with some over-dribbling has led to the ball stopping too much for games that involved a shot clock. To reach success at the next level, especially at the Blue Blood status that is within Castillo’s range of outcomes, his passing must start to match the levels of his amazing scoring ability. One of the reasons Trae Young, a player with similar accolades and youthful success, was and is still so amazing is his passing. Shooting often draws the attention with Young, but he racked up insane assist numbers with great vision and touch on passes. The ability to elevate teammates as a floor general is the next step for Castillo.
Dayton Forsythe Dayton Forsythe 6'3" | PG Dale | 2024 State #206 Nation OK , 6’2 Point Guard, Dale
Why they’re elite:
The small town standout has a Class 2A State Title to his name and impressive full stat lines throughout the season for Dale. After a slower start to the spring, Forsythe has hit his stride as an elite scorer and creator on Nike’s 16U national circuit. While many local small colleges are vigilantly watching Forsythe, hoping to entice him to stay at home. An offer from Portland this spring does place him firmly in the mix for a future at the Division One level.
What’s next?
This spring against national competition has been a good indicator of how he’ll need to continue to adjust from the small gyms of rural Oklahoma to the bright lights of “D1” arenas. Instead of relying purely on strength and athleticism to create space for scoring, he’s becoming more skillful and thoughtful with the ball.
Operating out of ball screens is seemingly a speciality for him now. Anytime the defense goes under, he can step into a three and make the defense pay. Overcommit, he’ll make the right pass. Along with simply finding a way to slither to the rim to get off a good look at the basket. Forsythe is shaping up to be a strong all around lead guard and proof that small school production can translate to any level.
Chiante Tramble Chiante Tramble 6'2" | PG Edmond North | 2024 State OK , 6’2 Point Guard, Moore
Why he’s elite:
Rivaling Castillo for most skilled player in the class is Tramble. He’s another player in this class that has hit the ground running with big production from his freshman season, and a trip to the Class 6A State Title Game as a sophomore. Tramble has outstanding court awareness and great feel for the game. He was a smart set up man for athletic teammates at Moore, but also knew how to get own shot. One of the best examples of this was in the state title game. Against a more athletic foe, he knew how to use the full court in smart ways to create space to score in a variety of ways. Tramble could tell when they were playing off and would step in for an open three or stop and nail the pull up. When overplayed he has an understanding of angles to get by foes, hit the floater or draw contact at the rim.
What’s next?
Basketball is being played at faster paces and athleticism is being prized more. Tramble has the obvious court IQ to play at those fast paces, but there will be concerns on his athleticism at the next level. He’s not the fastest or quickest player, offensively his high skill and feel for the game should negate some of that. But on defense, he must continue to work on quickness and explosion to maximize his naturally gifts to keep up with the quicker foes he’ll be tasked with covering at the next level.
Ja’Mon Valentine Ja’Mon Valentine 6'2" | CG Choctaw | 2024 State OK , 6’3 Shooting Guard, Choctaw
Why he’s elite:
A big time scorer, Valentine and the youthful Yellowjackets squad were a game away from the 6A State Tournament this spring. He’s a microwave style scorer, who change games in a hurry with his ability to get hot off the dribble. Especially with range that extends past the college three point line. Mix in a floater game for his drives and there will be few players in Oklahoma that can outscore him over the next two winters.
What’s next?
Improving his overall impact on the game. When he’s off the ball he can disappear. One of the promising signs for that progress was at the Tulsa team camp this month, where he played on the ball more. On the ball he didn’t just look to score, he played more within the offense and that showed improved passing and decision making. Becoming a complete guard to better match around his scoring repertoire will make him even more appealing to college coaches.
TO Barrett TO Barrett 6'4" | SG Link Academy | 2024 #138 Nation MO , 6’4 Combo Guard, Edmond North
Why he’s elite:
The biggest improvement by any player in this deep Class of 2024 was made by the Edmond North lead guard. Filled with raw athleticism and promise, he was molded into a lead guard for a Husky team that claimed the Gold Ball in Oklahoma’s largest classification. Only turning 16 a few weeks ago, Barrett is already a strong and athletic guard, who looks to only be a few months away from playing above the rim. Add in hard-nosed defensive play, and it’s easy to see why he earned his first Division One offer (Montana) this spring.
What’s next?
It’s refinement and staying hungry for Barrett. The refinement includes continuing to improve his ballhandling, which would match the strength and poise he plays with. His jumper is improving, especially from beyond the arc, another big step for his recruitment to continue to take off. There’s still raw aspects to his game, but if the last nine months are any indication, Barrett could follow a similar path to two other recent guards who were young for their grade; Jordan Woodard (Edmond Memorial to University of Oklahoma) and Anthony Pritchard (Daniel Webster to University of Tulsa)
Ladainian Fields Ladainian Fields 6'2" | CG Del City | 2024 OK , 6’1 Combo Guard, OKC Southeast
Why he’s elite:
Perhaps the fastest player with the ball in his hands in the state, Fields had an explosive sophomore season for Class 5A semifinalist Southeast. In transition and halfcourt, Fields has the combination of quick first step and long speed to blow by defenders. It wasn’t just on offense that he produced, defensively he averaged 3 steals a game as a sophomore. Add in the ability to hit in the midrange and the Spartan is shaping up to be one of the best all around players in Oklahoma for the next two years.
What’s next?
Fields’ future is murky compared to the other names on the list. It’s not for a lack of basketball talent, it’s because he’s a two sports star. The same explosiveness that allows him to fly up and down the court translates onto the gridiron where he’s regarded a a top WR prospect. Larger rosters for college teams and Oklahoma’s outstanding reputation as a football state simply makes it easier for players to be recruited in football than basketball. It’s very likely that he’ll follow a similar path as recent two sport stars Steven Parker, Josh Proctor and Jacobe Johnson Jacobe Johnson 6'3" | SG Mustang | 2023 State OK with a future that ends up in pads and cleats, not shorts and sneakers. If Fields does pursue basketball, he has the raw tools to potentially be a D1 player.