Adidas Gauntlet: 2021 Guards
The first live period is over and now comes the notes. We are searching through our book and seeing who stood out and made a name for themselves. Here is our evaluations from Adidas Gauntlet Gold this past weekend. These are our notes from the best 2021’s from what we saw.
Ronald Johnson – 6’1 / PG / 2021 / Park Tudor (IN) / EG10 2020
Ronald is a tall guard with some really solid scoring ability. Has good handles but likely more of an off-ball guard. Best right now, while playing up, as a shooter off the catch but capable of getting into the lane and slashing. Frame is solid and should grown and add strength easily. Good upside, just may take time playing up a level.
Khristian Lander – 6’2 / PG / 2021 / Evansville Reitz (IN) / EG10 2021
Lander has grown quite a bit in the last year, now near 6’2 and with good length and a ton of speed. He’s very quick with the ball in his hands and he gets to the rim as well as anyone his age. Will need strength to finish through that contact but the creativity he has is very high so he should always be efficient. Perimeter jumper wasn’t working this weekend but a fairly good shooter normally.
Kale Gaither – 6’0 / PG / 2021 / Union County (KY) / EG10 2021
Kale is a solid guard prospect with a good frame and wide shoulders. He’s got some solid change-of-pace and can really get up and down the floor when needed. He’s not the tallest guard and likely won’t grow a ton but he’s got a bit of strength now and seemed to use it well when he looked to drive, drawing contact and finishing through it. A little big of a bucket-getter when paired with his outside shooting.
Malik Stanley – 5’10 / PG / 2021 / Warren Central (IN) / Indiana Elite 2021
Stanley is a small, stout guard with a good amount of strength and some solid ball skills. He’s good at handling pressure and getting the offense going. He’s pretty quick with the ball at times but is more under control and uses his speed as a separator. His jumper looked really good this weekend and should follow along with Warren Central’s hot shooting guards.
Luka Balac – 6’2 / SG / 2021 / Munster (IN) / Indiana Elite 2021
Luka looks better than he did last fall, more improved as a ball handling and showed this weekend he can handle pressure pretty decently. He’s a big guard and while he’s not a point guard long term, it will be interesting to see how he develops his offensive game. His pull-up jumper was on this weekend and if that ball handling can lead to more creation ability, that is a good path to see.
Isaac Vencel – 6’1 / SG / 2021 / Bloomington North (IN) / Indiana Elite 2021
Vencel is a guard who doesn’t really have a position but produces like none other. He’s not really a point and not really an off-guard but the kid rebounds at a high level, defends pretty well, and can score it off drives and perimeter jumpers. He does well producing, especially since not many plays are going to be ran for him. Fun player to watch.
Connor Hickman – 6’2 / SG / 2021 / Bloomington South (IN) / Indiana Elite 2021
Hickman is a tall guard who has grown in the last year. He’s become a better ball handler and more of an on-ball guard who does well handling pressure and making good decision. Enough so, he could still on the ball long term. Really good shooter who seemed to make enough plays and create chances for his teammates. Improved since the fall.