12U AAU Nationals: Top 10 Shooting Guards

Sheppard Gardner Carried His Team At The 12U Nationals

Scoring the basketball is needed for teams to win. This role usually falls on the shoulders of shooting guards. While at the 12U Nationals we got a chance to check out some of the top scoring guards in the nation. Here’s a list of the Top 10 shooting guards we saw during our observation. This is not a national ranking instead a ranking of how these players performed at this event.

12U AAU Nationals Top 10 Shooting Guards

1. Sheppard Gardner (Youth Interlock)- Jameer Nelson would have been proud of the effort Gardner displayed. He got our nod because he showed his entire arsenal while carrying his team to the Sweet 16. I knew Shepp had game going towards the basket but he also showed me the accuracy on his jumper even off the dribble. He also had that Chester toughness when it came money time he didn’t shy away he wanted the pill.

2. Charles Stokes (Team Rim Rockers)- Stokes has a lot of game and the size to go with it. He gets anywhere he wants on the floor and scores in a variety of ways. He’s very athletic and has a burst of speed that he uses for his advantage. Defensively, he wants to guard the star of the other team. He’s one to keep an eye on.

3. Tyler Dorsey (ARC Gorillas)- I feel sorry for the teams entering the 11U Nationals because they have to deal with this young stud. Dorsey is a slashing scorer that has a nose for the ball and the size of a legit wing player. Tyler also isn’t afraid to stick his nose in the paint to score or hit the glass as he led his team in boards one game.

4. Jabbar Singleton (New Orleans Panthers)- Singleton has the goods. The long wing guard scores in transition and in the half court set. He runs the floor like a deer and will launch a deep trey if left open. He has tremendous upside. His best basketball is ahead of him.

5. Charles Grundy (Ct. Kentucky Warriors)- In a few years don’t be surprised if Grundy emerges as one of the top off guards in the country. He should have the prototype two-guard size and the knack for scoring. He might be a player that to top schools in the Blue Grass State (Kentucky and Louisville) will impress serious interest in.

6. Anton Beard (Arkansas Mustangs)- Speaking of scoring and playing defense look no further than the lefty Beard. He gets to the basket by using his power and clever dribbling moves. On defense he loves playing the passing lanes to create opportunities for his club.

7. Brandon Hatton (Kentucky Tarheels)- Hatton is tough as nails and specializes in creating his own shot. He can score while driving with the floater, in traffic or just draining a jumper in the face of defenders. As he gets older he probably will move to the point guard spot.

8. Austin Tilghman (Delaware Hawks)- Austin is another player that I see converting to a PG. His stats don’t jump out at you but when the game his on the line he exerts himself like a true warrior. We will watch his progress over the years.

9. Brandon Eitenne (Houston Select)- Eitenne has long arms which might indicate he has a growth spurt coming in a couple of years. Right now he handles the outside for this huge squad. He finds the cup from the outside or in the lane with runners.

10. Eltonio Becton (Memphis War Eagles)- Becton plays the game at an intense speed. He gets up and down the floor in a hurry while scoring after leaving defenders behind with his crossover. He’s very athletic which should shoot him up the charts in years to come.