“Must See” Sophomore Guards this Summer Live Period
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The Spring AAU season has come and gone and we have seen some awesome guards picking it up and putting it down. There are a lot of 2025 players who we have yet to see this travel season. These guards…
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Continue ReadingThe Spring AAU season has come and gone and we have seen some awesome guards picking it up and putting it down. There are a lot of 2025 players who we have yet to see this travel season. These guards now have one year of high school basketball behind them and another period of AAU basketball in the rearview mirror. In this article, we look at more Sophomore guards who we must see this upcoming summer live period.
Phantasia Lauriston Phantasia Lauriston 5’8″ | CG Palm Bay | 2025 State FL is that versatile player who we haven’t seen much of this travel season. Lauriston can play the one the two or the three. She has a nice jump shot from outside, she is a very good mid-range shooter, and she penetrates well to the goal. Lauriston also has a very good stop-and-pop game that she utilizes when she can’t get all the way to the rim. She is full of energy and has her motor running for the entire game. Lauriston has a high basketball IQ and seems to always be a step ahead during the game. Defensively, she is a tenacious player who applies great on-ball pressure. Can’t wait to see Lauriston this summer live period.
Highlights
Mia Heredia Mia Heredia 5’6″ | CG Dr Phillips | 2025 FL is a top-level elite defensive player and is one of the best lockdown defenders on this list. Heredia has the speed, quickness, and athleticism to get the job done. Heredia has locked down some very good ballers this past Spring AAU season and she takes great pride in her craft. She is definitely one of the best young guards in the 2025 class. In addition to defending the top ball handlers, Heredia also handles the rock. She is versatile and can play the point guard position or the shooting guard position. Heredia can score from the mid-range area and has a nice jump shot. She uses her speed to get to the rim and can finish with the left hand or the right hand. Looking forward to seeing this upcoming summer live period.
Highlights
Destiny Donaldson Destiny Donaldson 5’9″ | SF Ribault | 2025 State FL is a player I can’t wait to see this summer live period. Donaldson can play the two, the three, or the four. She can fill it up on the wings and take it inside and cause problems. Donaldson is equally dynamic in the paint where her effort increases tenfold. She is relentless on the boards. This past high school I watched Donaldson secure nearly 10 to 15 rebounds – before halftime! She is a workhorse in the middle. Donaldson also runs the floor and is a baller in the transition game. She fills the lanes, covers the ground in a hurry, and when she catches it she knows what to do with it. Can’t wait to see Donaldson this summer live period.
Lamiyah Hogans Lamiyah Hogans 5’10” | CG San Jose Prep | 2025 State FL is that must-see player as well. The last time I saw Hogans was at a workout and she was securing her first college offer. Hogan’s is about as versatile as anyone on this list. She is an aggressive scorer who looks to score from behind the arc, rip it to the midrange, penetrate to the paint, or take it all the way to the rim. She has a well-rounded game with the ability to pass the ball, rebound the ball, and use her length to defend in space, but there is no doubt about the main objective – to fill it up from anywhere on the court.
Trista Brown Trista Brown 5’6″ | SG Oakleaf | 2025 State FL is the epitome of confidence. Last summer, Brown was a standout at several camps I attended. She’s one of the best 2025 guards in the city and looking forward to seeing Brown this year. Brown is an aggressive point guard who has a scorer’s mentality. She can shoot the long-range ball and will pull up on the break in a hurry. Brown does a good job of pushing the tempo, drawing defenders, and passing the rock to open teammates. Looking forward to seeing Brown this upcoming summer live period.
JoLesa Birkhead is a smooth lefty who can shoot the ball from anywhere on the courts. Birkhead is athletic and fast and does a good job on defense as well. Looking forward to seeing the lefty drain some shots this upcoming summer live period.
Olivia Staples Olivia Staples 5’6″ | SG Freedom | 2025 State FL is the best shooter on this list. She recently posted double figures in threes in the Candace Dupree Invitational. She is a pure shooter I cant wait to see this upcoming summer live period.
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Zion McRae Zion McRae 5’4″ | SG The Villages | 2025 State FL Is one of the most versatile and athletic guards on the list. McRae is an experienced baller who has played varsity basketball since she was in the 6th grade. McRae has an understanding of a lot of game situations. McRae can score the ball from anywhere on the court and she is a lockdown defender. Looking forward to seeing McRae this upcoming summer live period.
Samantha Bautista Samantha Bautista 5’7″ | CG SLAM! (Miami) | 2025 State FL is likely the best playmaker on this list. Bautista has the basketball IQ, the handles, the craftiness, the ability to create and make her own shot, and the ability to create shots for her teammates. She can handle the ball going left or right and score with either hand. Bautista is a player to see this summer live period.
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Sy’monique Simon Sy’monique Simon 5’6″ | SG Cardinal Mooney | 2025 State FL is one of the most electrifying and energetic guards in the 2025 class. Simon can do it all on the court – shoot and defend. Her biggest asset is her energy on the court. She is a game changer and competitor who has that “it” factor when on the court. Simon is a player we look forward to seeing this upcoming summer live period.