Nate Lyon is a highly skilled 6’3 combo guard from South Central Prep who plays the game with advanced feel, confidence, and command well beyond his years.
As a point guard or shooting guard, Lyon consistently controls tempo and understands how to manipulate defenses through pace, spacing, and smart reads.
He is a true playmaker who sees the floor at a high level, delivering accurate passes off the dribble and finding shooters or rim runners in stride.
His decision making stands out, especially in transition and late-clock situations, where he remains poised and efficient.
Offensively, Lyon is a legitimate three-level scoring threat.
He shoots the ball with range and confidence, both off the catch and off movement, forcing defenders to close hard.
When pressured, he shows the ability to put the ball on the floor and create separation using sharp change-of-pace dribbles and controlled footwork.
In the midrange, he is comfortable pulling up or attacking downhill to finish with either hand.
Around the rim, he relies more on craft than raw explosiveness, using angles and timing to score through traffic.
Defensively, Lyon brings consistent energy and competitiveness.
He takes pride in guarding the ball, stays active in passing lanes, and shows good anticipation as a help defender.
His length and positioning allow him to contest shots and disrupt opposing guards without gambling.
He communicates well on the defensive end and understands team concepts, which adds value beyond the stat sheet.
Lyon’s high basketball IQ, combined with his academic profile and leadership presence, makes him a dependable floor general.
He plays with confidence but not ego, understands his role within a system, and elevates the players around him.
His experience on the AAO Flight program and the Pro 16 Circuit has accelerated his development and prepared him for higher-level competition.
College Projection
Lyon projects as a high-major mid-major to potential low Power Five guard with continued physical and skill development.
Current offers from Arkansas State, UT San Antonio, and Oral Roberts reflect his ability to impact winning as a versatile backcourt piece.
With continued progression, he has the upside to become a multi-year college starter who can run offense or score in key moments.
Evaluation Summary
Lyon’s impact comes from his playmaking instincts, scoring versatility, and strong defensive engagement.
His physical tools, IQ, and feel for the game translate cleanly to the college level, especially in systems that value guard decision making and spacing.
Key Development Areas
- Tighten handle under elite ball pressure and increase efficiency finishing through contact
• Add functional strength to better absorb contact at the rim and on defense
• Maintain scoring aggressiveness consistently against top-level defenders
Long-Term Outlook
Nate Lyon projects as a college guard you can trust to lead, compete, and win games, with a trajectory that continues to rise as his body and confidence catch up to his skill set.