Winter Jam Top Performers: Class of 2024 PGs

DALLAS, TX — The eighth-grade division at the 2020 HYPE Sports Winter Jam provided an updated glance at some of the best prospects in the Class of 2024 from the South region. Here are the top five point guards from the event, listed alphabetically, from my perspective.

DEONTRELL BARRETT | PRO SKILLS (TX)

I’ve now had the opportunity to watch Barrett on several occasions during the past couple of years and he remains one of the more menacing lead guards among his peer group. The 5-foot-11 southpaw is strong, compact, and is an impressive finisher with his off-hand. He has a physical and competitive edge at the moment and I’ll be tracking his explosiveness and shooting consistency to determine if he can prolong his lofty billing in the Lone Star State.

JUSTIN BEGG | HOUSTON HOOPS BLUE CHIPS (TX) 

The diminutive lead guard stands just 5-foot-5 but a future growth spurt should not be ruled out. He saved his best performance of the weekend for the championship game, where his 16 first-half points paced HHBC to a 38-19 halftime lead, and the group didn’t look back in capturing the Winter Jam title. Begg’s quickness and handle nicely complement his ability to get hot from the perimeter and he has the charisma and IQ to develop a game that should translate to the next level regardless of his height.

DAVID CASTILLO | TEAM GRIFFIN (OK)

I’ve caught glimpses of Castillo in the past, but now donning Team Griffin threads, the 6-foot-1 floor general is likely on the most talented team that he’s played for to date. Even so, Castillo still manages to stand out in positive ways among a crowded backcourt, steadying his squad from a ball-handling and playmaking perspective. I’m looking forward to breaking down his game in more detail as the travel season gets going.

JARED HARRIS | HHBC LOUISIANA (LA)

A wiry 6-foot-2 guard from Silsbee, Texas, Harris was certainly one of the most intriguing prospects that I evaluated at the HYPE Sports Winter Jam due to his combination of skill and length. He’s comfortable with the ball in his hands and demonstrated excellent vision and passing touch. He’ll need to continue polishing his all-around game and working to develop physically, but Harris has tremendous upside, and should be monitored closely among backcourt players in the South region from the Class of 2024.

NATHAN MACADORY | TEAM JUICE (TX)

A confident scorer with shotmaking abilities, but also a willing passer, Macadory was his team’s most electric player with the ball in his hands during the HYPE Sports Winter Jam. The 6-foot-0 spark plug had some impressive individual scoring runs but what caught my eye the most was how distributive he proved to be when focused on the defensive side of the ball. His instincts, agility, and active hands and feet are tools that should serve him well moving forward.