Today we live in a day and age where it is a point guard dominant era in the NBA. A point guard is probably the most vital position in the game right now. Apart from orchestrating the team’s offence, the current era point guards can shoot, dunk, rebound and even block shots.
And since the point guard is such a vital position, we are listing down the best point guards at the high school level. The list was comprised based on the player‘s skills, abilities, scouting reports and draft predictions.
I hope you enjoy reading the rest of the article while also gathering some valuable information.
1. Cade Cunningham
The 6’7 point guard out of Montverde Academy, Florida, Cunningham has the size, length and weight and length of a forward, but his skill set has him ready to go.
Cunningham was ranked at no. 2 in ESPN’s Top 100 for 2020; Cunningham averaged 20.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.6 steals per game, shooting 43.8 per cent from the field and 40.0 per cent from 3 in his only season in the NCAA.
The 19-year-old has all the tools to make an immediate impact for any NBA team; he can beat you by attacking the rim or pull up at the 3-point line. Cunningham is as ready of a pro prospect as they come.
2. Jalen Suggs
Jalen Suggs is a definite top selection. The guard was already a consideration as a top-five pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. He then leads his team to go on an impressive run for the NCAA championship, which they won by a miraculous game-winning buzzer-beater in the Final Four.
The 6’4 guard averaged 14.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.9 steals per game, flashing leadership and skillset. Suggs is unselfish. A pass-first floor general who always makes the extra pass for his teammates.
An elite passer and playmaker, especially in a half-court situation. He is a great decision-maker, less than three turnovers per game, more than capable of advanced passes in pick-and-rolls or drive-and-kick situations.
3. Daishen Nix
The 6’4 point guard has a good position, a good ball handle with fantastic court vision and passing ability. Alert with excellent instincts. He reads and reacts with excellent instincts and doesn’t predetermine the offence.
He knows just where to pass the ball and is quite effective in the half-court. He has the ability to hit his teammates in stride with accurate cross-court passes. He is agile, shifty, and creative with the ball. Nix knows how to break down the defence with his dribble and change the speed at a moment’s notice.
Nix is not fazed by a defender and has shown creativity as a finisher, scoring various angles. He can go to his left or right and handles contact well, drawing fouls at a reasonable rate. He has the ability to hit from the 3PT range and a good defender on and off the ball.
4. Caleb Love
Nearly 6-foot-3, Love shows potential on the defensive end. A score-first point guard, he has the ability to be a bucket getter or to be a facilitator. Love is more comfortable taking more shots than his teammates, and there is no doubt he can score. The athleticism is evident.
An aggressive guard attacks the defence and possesses both power and quickness to the hoop, and doesn’t shy away from contact either with the ability to finish above the rim.
Love is a fierce competitor with loads of energy and hustle. An impressive 6-9 wingspan, he has the size and frame for the NBA. Love can tackle the defence with either hand with the ability to finish in a variety of ways. However, his outside shot is not a strength.
5. Sharife Cooper
Though undersized, Cooper is quick and crafty with the ball in his hands. And a passer, he has a vision for days. He’s the engine for his team with his energy and effort.
A pure point guard with a great sense for setting up teammates and spacing, Cooper also has the ability to take over the game. A winner, a leader and a big impact player is what you will get out of Sharife Cooper.
His outside shot has a little inconsistency with space to improve. On defence, he does well to put pressure on his opponent.
6. Jeremy Roach
Roach has advanced play-making skills with his heads up penetration ability at finding his teammates. Not the biggest or most powerful but has an advanced skill level with enough athleticism and great ball-handling and penetration ability.
Roach is a true competitor and leader you want in a point guard. He has an advanced understanding and an excellent feeling for the offence. He can score well from the mid-range and can play above the rim as well. He is a creative finisher who can finish with either hand.
Add a solid frame for strength; he commits on defence and impacts the game on the defensive end. He isn’t projected as an elite athlete and has to work on his outside shot, to become more consistent.
7. Khristian Lander
A good athlete, Lander is a prospect with a future in the NBA. He has all the athleticism in a compact and robust frame—a high scorer by getting into the paint or knocking shots from the arc. Lander has a smooth lefty set shot and is an absolute sniper with a quick release.
A strong dribble-drive game, he can use both hands to drive in. He’s able to draw the defence with his dribble and draws a lot of fouls. He also commands a lot of attention on offence, which gets his teammates open.
Lander is a willing passer but would instead knock down that three from the arc.
