Way Too Early HS Preview: 2024 Breakout Guards
In this article:
With the AAU season coming to a close, it means we set eyes on the high school season that is still over three months away. Still, it’s never too early to pump out some early preview content based off the…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingWith the AAU season coming to a close, it means we set eyes on the high school season that is still over three months away. Still, it’s never too early to pump out some early preview content based off the players that we have evaluated over the last five or so months. For this piece, I’ll take a look at some rising junior guards who are set up to have a breakout 2022-23 season.
Brendan Johnson Brendan Johnson 6'4" | SG Calvert Hall | 2024 State MD | Calvert Hall
Johnson was exceptional throughout the EBA Summer League in June and it looks as if he’s ready to carry a much heavier load as the primary scorer for head coach Gary Neal. The 6-foot-3 guard is an efficient marksman on catch-and-shoot three’s, has good footwork coming off a variety of screens while being shot ready on the catch and can utilize 1-to-2 dribbles in a hurry to get to his spots for pull up jumpers. He helped lead the Cardinals to an 8-0 record in summer league and was the consistent scoring presence in each contest. Paired with transfer point guard Tyrin Bizzelle, the two form one of the most intriguing backcourts in the Baltimore Metro area.
Martin Somerville Jr. Martin Somerville Jr. 6'3" | PG Southern California Academy (CA) | 2024 #264 Nation CA-S | Bishop McNamara/Prospect U
McNamara is absolutely loaded at the guard position and will be forced to trot out some smaller lineups in spurts throughout games because of the depth at the position. One of those guard who will catch more eyes is Somerville. A 6-foot-2 lefty, Somerville can get it going in a hurry from the corners and has he showed throughout DMV Live, he’s a guy who only needs the slightest bit of time and space to get his shot off. He uses the threat of being a sniper to his advantage by attacking closeouts, getting into the paint and locating open teammates as the defense scrambles.
Isaiah Williams Isaiah Williams 6'3" | CG Rosedale Christian | 2024 MD | Rosedale Christian Academy/Team Thrill
Williams made the switch to Rosedale where he should be presented as an option both on or off the ball. He’s a lead guard that dictates pace in the open floor, uses his quick burst to get to the rim and has the balance to stop on a dime for mid-range jumpers after creating separation. When locked in, he can be a menace on the defensive end pressuring his man into turnovers. Most importantly, Williams plays with an edge and toughness that’ll help contribute to wins for the revamped program.
Ty Bevins Ty Bevins 6'5" | SG Gwynn Park | 2024 State #157 Nation MD | Gwynn Park/New World
To those that follow the high school scene closely, Bevins is no secret. He has great positional size at 6-foot-5 and understands how to play off of others to find opportunities for himself. He has a fluid and consistent shooting stroke that demands the defense attention at all time, but also has the know-how and athleticism to blow by rotating defenders for above the rims finishes. His size, length and athleticism all contribute to him being a major weapon defensively where he could realistically guard 1-4 positions in the league that he competes in.
Tyler Boston Tyler Boston 5'10" | PG Bullis | 2024 State #291 Nation MD | Bullis/Team Thrill
There aren’t many players locally that I’d take at the point guard position over Boston when you consider how he can adjust to whatever pieces are around him. The 5-foot-10 point guard is an orchestrator in every sense whether that means getting his team together in the half court, pushing the ball in transition while making sound decisions or dissecting the defense in ball screen scenarios. Boston can make his defender pay for late closeouts, work in isolation situations where he can create space for himself from 12-to-15 feet or get to the cup for dump-off passes to awaiting bigs. He just knows how to play the positions while supplying a gritty intensity with his individual defense, and all of this will be reasons why Bullis is one of the better teams in the DMV when the dust settles.