Final Notes from the FABC: Under the Radar Guards

There was no shortage of talented young guards on display at the FABC Showcase. Some of these young guards played well on the defensive, others excelled as shooters, playmakers, or aggressive scorers attacking the basket. Several controlled the pace of the game, while others thrived in transition or made winning plays and filled their roles. Regardless of their roles on the floor, each of these young guards stood out in her own way. In this article, we recognize some of the up-and-coming backcourt players who made a strong impression at the FABC Showcase and showed why their futures are bright.    [player_tooltip player_id='1236611' first='Cici' last='Hsieh'] was another impressive young guard at the FABC Live Period. She has a fluid three-point shooting stroke and the confidence to shoot the ball whenever she's open. Equally impressive was the way she handled defensive pressure and the trust her teammates showed by consistently putting the ball in her hands. Hsieh did an excellent job of moving the ball in rhythm and creating quality scoring opportunities for her teammates. When the defense gives her space, she's more than willing to step into her shot with confidence, making her an offensive threat when she steps on the floor.     [player_tooltip player_id='1853002' first='Bizzy' last='Haddad'] put together an impressive performance at the FABC Showcase, consistently making winning plays throughout the event. She moved the ball within the flow of the offense, handled pressure in crunch time, and never flinched when the moment called for a big play. Haddad took important shots with confidence and showed a smooth shooting stroke, but what stood out most was her poise. She played under control, made smart decisions with the ball, and displayed the composure of a player who embraces pressure rather than avoids it.     [player_tooltip player_id='1855303' first='Jazaiyah' last='Jackson'] showcased her athleticism and competitiveness throughout the FABC Showcase. One of her highlight plays came on a baseline drive, where she pump-faked her defender before knocking down a fadeaway midrange jumper. Jackson consistently used her speed to pressure the defense, repeatedly getting to the rim and finishing in transition. She seemed to spend the game going end to end, bringing relentless energy on every possession. For a young 2030 prospect, Jackson was dynamic with the ball in her hands and constantly put pressure on opposing defenses with her quickness, athleticism, and ability to attack the rim. Jackson was one of the top young guards in the building.     [player_tooltip player_id='1874170' first='Gabi' last='Moffett'] played well at the FABC Live Period, especially considering she is a 2031 guard. The young guard consistently stood out in transition, running the floor hard and creating quality scoring opportunities. Every time you looked up, Moffett was getting to the rim for layups or finding herself in position to make a play. She ran the floor well on both ends, competed for loose balls, and played with a high motor throughout the game. Moffett's energy, hustle, and ability to finish around the basket made her one of the more impressive young prospects in attendance.     [player_tooltip player_id='1264007' first='Zhariyah' last='Milton'] quietly put together a steady performance at the FABC Showcase, particularly on the defensive end of the floor. The most noticeable aspect of Milton's game was the energy she brought to every possession. She defended well on the ball, disrupted passing lanes, and consistently executed her assignments in the press, press break, man-to-man, and zone defense. Offensively, Milton knocked down several mid-range jumpers and attacked the basket with confidence when opportunities presented themselves. While her performance may have flown under the radar, it was effective. At Booker, it's always “next player up,” and Milton showed she was more than ready to embrace that role.     The 2028 class is loaded with talent, and [player_tooltip player_id='1235684' first='Audri' last='Colten'] is as talented as any player in the group. Colten showcased an impressive offensive skill set at the FABC Showcase, knocking down three-pointers off the catch, off the dribble, and on step-back threes. In transition, she finished with either hand, displayed excellent court vision, and showcased a polished midrange game. Her versatility as a scorer, combined with her playmaking ability, confidence, and feel for the game, made her one of the most impressive young guards in the building.

There was no shortage of talented young guards on display at the FABC Showcase. Some of these young guards played well on the defensive, others excelled as shooters, playmakers, or aggressive scorers attacking the basket. Several controlled the pace of the game, while others thrived in transition or made winning plays and filled their roles. Regardless of their roles on the floor, each of these young guards stood out in her own way. In this article, we recognize some of the up-and-coming backcourt players who made a strong impression at the FABC Showcase and showed why their futures are bright.