2029 Rankings: Guards to Know

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are a handful of younger guards in the 2029 class who have caught my eye this winter. They all bring something a little different to the court, and are some of the more interesting players having an early impact in this freshman class. Take a look at some young impact players with lots of potential down the road.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1309957"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-698a6d3ae419c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Barrett brings some real tenacity to the court on both ends of the floor, starting with her defense. She can smother the ball and disrupt the rhythm and flow of opposing offenses. She's also a quick guard who can dart down lanes, and plays off that ability to penetrate with a pretty effective pull-up jumper.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1692187"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-698a6d3ae4258"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Maldonado has a chance to be a really special player, and it's pretty evident with her play this season. She's helped Chiawana to a 21-0 regular season with just one game left before the playoffs. She's third in scoring in the MCC at 16.5 PPG, and has been effective all over the floor with about seven rebounds per game, just under four assists, and 2.5 steals per contest. She has a smooth shot from outside (47.5%), and already displays a keen understanding of playing with pace and space.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1308478"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-698a6d3ae42e8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Phaysith is already playing a big role at Jackson and has been one of the standout freshman point guards this winter. She's quick, plays light on her feet, and does a great job playing on balance through different moves. She can get out of her moves with quick bursts, attacks gaps well, and has a pretty smooth shot behind the arc. She brings a lot of energy to the floor and will be one to watch over the next few years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1309603"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-698a6d3ae4370"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Tatum has been a key player on a young and talented Spanaway Lake squad. Her ability to do a little bit of everything has helped her have an impact on a lot of fronts, and means she's always lurking to make a play. She's leading the team in points (13.8) and steals (4.2), and is second in rebounds (5.2) and assists (2.7). </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1655352"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-698a6d3ae43f8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Zilliax has a ton of potential as a 6-foot-1 guard/wing. She's already shown her ability to affect the game from different levels, with her smooth outside shot, some ability to create off the dribble, and her interior rebounding. She could be a player who really takes off next season and is giving the Cardinals a nice, versatile threat to go alongside their more senior players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->