Class of 2024 Guard Stand Outs in Orlando

By Michael Wholey 8/5/23 7:00 AM EST   Orlando was filled with talent in the back half of July, we take a look at some of the class of 2024 top guards.     [player_tooltip player_id='349379' first='Priyanka' last='Alibhai'] ([program_tooltip program_id='713522' first='Miami' last='Suns'] South 17U Mompremier) 5'9 Guard – Class of 2024   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/09/72-Priyanka-Alibhai.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-504598" width="120" height="180" /></figure>   Alibhai is a versatile guard that can play both guard positions and has good size and strength.  She is a high IQ player who is a good decision maker and sees the floor well.  She has a strong build and does a good job at letting the game come to her by not forcing things but also staying aggressive.  She has the ability to score at multiple levels but also is willing to make extra pass and give it up to open teammates, promoting ball and player movement.      [player_tooltip player_id='314842' first='Samantha' last='Bautista'] ([program_tooltip program_id='713522' first='Miami' last='Suns'] South 17U Mompremier) 5'8 Guard – Class of 2024   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/04/20220409_175834-scaled.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-413978" width="122" height="217" /></figure>   Bautista is a tough, competitive guard with a scorer's mentality and deep 3-point range.  She wants to score the basketball every time she touches it.  She is shifty off the bounce, has a smooth 3-point stroke with a quick release and does a good job of staying ready and spacing the floor.  She plays hard and aggressive when she is in the game and competes every possession and plays with passion and energy.      [player_tooltip player_id='349277' first='Gabby' last='Bush'] (ECU RIchardson 24) 6'0 Wing – Class of 2024   Bush is a big guard / wing that has a ton of talent.  She is a matchup nightmare on the offensive end as she can put the ball in the basket in a variety of ways.  She has 3-point range, can attack off the dribble and pull up mid-range as well as get all the way to the rim.  Her height, strength, and broad shoulders are major strengths for her and make her a challenge to defend.  Bush has a scorer's mentality and when she has it going, she is extremely hard to guard!     [player_tooltip player_id='221676' first='Jaden' last='Castro'] ([program_tooltip program_id='713522' first='Miami' last='Suns'] South 17U Mompremier) 5'4 Guard – Class of 2024   Castro mainly played point guard for [program_tooltip program_id='713522' first='Miami' last='Suns'] South 17U Mompremier.  She handled the ball vs pressure and played well out of ball screens.  She stays low with the ball in her hands and hunts the paint.  Playing the role of distributor first, Castro picked her spots to score and shoot it well from 3 when left open.      [player_tooltip player_id='248347' first='Nina' last='Green'] ([program_tooltip program_id='713590' first='[program_tooltip program_id='713590' first='[program_tooltip program_id='713590' first='FGB' last='']' last='']' last=''] Elite 17U Teal) 5'6 Guard – Class of 2024     <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/10/Nin.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-535298" width="185" height="181" /></figure>   Green has a slender build but plays with a persistent effort and energy on both ends of the court.  She is active and aggressive on both the offensive and defensive end of the floors.  She was one of the strongest defenders I saw in Orlando as she takes pride in being an aggressive on ball defender and likes to bait players to throw passes that she can run through passing lanes.  Offensively she is deceptive and plays herky jerky keeping defenders on their toes and is slippery getting by defenders and into the paint.      [player_tooltip player_id='248337' first='Danigzy' last='Mantilla'] (ECU RIchardson 24) 5'5 Guard – Class of 2024   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/10/Dani.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-535291" width="221" height="166" /></figure>   Mantilla is a hooper!  She plays exceptionally well as a playmaker with the ball in her hands.  She looks to push tempo, attack off the bounce, and get into the paint to create shot for her teammates.  She has a strong skill set and excellent court vision.  Her change of speed keeps defenders on their toes as she is patient with the ball in her hands and picks her spots to create opportunities off the bounce.     [player_tooltip player_id='349387' first='Tatiana' last='Matthews'] ([program_tooltip program_id='713590' first='[program_tooltip program_id='713590' first='[program_tooltip program_id='713590' first='FGB' last='']' last='']' last=''] Elite 17U Teal) 5'9 Guard – Class of 2024   Matthews has great strength and good size for a guard.  She is versatile enough to play both guard spots and the wing.  She did a good job attacking off the bounce, and handling contact and physical play from the defense and continuing to penetrate towards the rim.      Maylei Noreika ([program_tooltip program_id='715746' first='J' last='Sizzle']s 2024 Gold Rizzo) 5'10 Wing – Class of 2024    Noreika stood out in several games for her ability to score the basketball and her great size at the wing.  She plays under control and shoots it well from the wing and the baseline off the catch.  Noreika hit multiple 3-pointers in several games in Orlando and helped [program_tooltip program_id='715746' first='J' last='Sizzle']s space the floor as she stayed shot ready.      [player_tooltip player_id='349385' first='Jadah' last='Toombs'] ([program_tooltip program_id='713590' first='[program_tooltip program_id='713590' first='[program_tooltip program_id='713590' first='FGB' last='']' last='']' last=''] Elite 17U Teal) 5'7 Guard – Class of 2024     <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2021/10/Toombs-244464608_903055503642253_2058759254777645033_n-e1641248416835.jpg?w=998" alt="" class="wp-image-339001" width="164" height="168" /></figure>   Toombs is always one of my favorite players to watch.  She is small in stature but is very quick and aggressive.  She stays low and explosive with the ball in her hands and is crafty at getting by her defenders and into the paint.  She does a good job at changing speed and direction and has good 1v1 moves.  She plays unselfish as she is capable of scoring but looks to distribute and create shots for her teammates first.        Michael Wholey is the lead scout for Florida Prep Girls Hoop Florida and a former division one Assistant Coach at American University, University of Memphis, and Georgia Tech.  Wholey and the rest of the Prep Girls Hoop staff, seek to cover the entire state of player, keeping subscribers up to date with player evaluations, recruiting info, and statewide news.  Our audience often supplies us with some of our best information.  If you have any information on players, teams, or statewide news in the state of Florida, emailing Michael Wholey at WholeyPrepHoops@gmail.com or DM him through Twitter or Instagram @WholeyPrepHoops.

By Michael Wholey 8/5/23 7:00 AM EST