Top Unsigned Guards: West Oaks Academy
Catalyzing West Oaks defensively and neutralizing scorers with physicality, Class of 2017 guard P.J. Person’s confrontational defense has led West Oaks. Originally from New York, the hard-attacking Person brings a toughness that head coach Kenny Gillion preaches with an iron fist.
Person scored 18 points and was a major factor defensively with four steals, leading West Oaks to a 61-54 signature victory over reigning 5A state champ Calvary Christian last month. Person’s ability to instigate turnovers and convert them into transition buckets has been pivotal for a guard-laden West Oaks team.
“The key to our early success is defense,” said 6-foot Class of 2018 guard Tyrieke Blakeney, a transfer via Agape Christian, where he averaged 20 points last season.
“We try to play hard on that end. We know that we’re faster than most teams, so we just try to get out and run too. The goal is to win out through the rest of the season and get a state championship. Coach Gillion wants us to play hard and play as a team and play as a team because we have multiple players who can score so he just wants us to execute on offense. He makes sure that we’re locked in at practice and giving 100 percent at all times.”
Blakeney, a crafty scorer who has a nifty pull-up game and thrives at attacking the rim, is one of several gritty guards propelling the defensive minded, veteran core.
A.J. Neal, Class of 2021
Well-built guard has come a long way in a short period of time. Possessing deft long range 3-point shooting ability, Neal has become more of an all-around scorer. Adding bulk to his frame has enabled him to get into the lane more. Neal has played varsity since he was a seventh grader, playing behind bullish guard Andres Feliz. Like Blakeney, the younger brother of Chicago Bulls guard Antonio Blakeney, Neal has the “basketball old soul” factor working in his favor. He saw the older guys make it and understands the work ethic and sacrifices required at the next level.
Tyrell Jones, Class of 2019
With an advanced downhill game, gear-changing speed, and the ability to hit transition 3-pointers, Jones has all the attributes of a sheer gamer.