Illinois 2016 D1 PG Targets

There are several 2016 prospects at the point guard position that have the ability to play at the next level.  Probably more so than at any other individual position in this particular class.  Who are they?

Charlie Moore (Morgan Park)

The top ranked prospect in the state’s 2016 class headlines the list.  Moore is an electrifying playmaker with the ball in his hands.  The 5’11” point guard had a monster spring and summer with the Mac Irvin Fire where he proved he could be a more efficient scorer as well as improve his assist/turnover ratio while still maintaining his exciting style of play.  Priority for several Midwest high major programs.

Mike Smith (Fenwick)

Smith is a tough and quick lead guard that has been overlooked throughout his career.  He has been extremely productive at Fenwick and elevated his play with Team Rose in July.  The 5’10” point guard scores well by getting in the lane with ease knocking down mid-range jumpers and runners.  Works well in the pick and roll and is a solid distributor.  Has a lot of interest and offers from academic schools, but is a mid-major prospect in my eyes.

Devin Gage (Curie)

Gage who has already committed to DePaul brings a lot of talent to the table.  He probably has the highest upside of any prospect at the position besides Moore.  The big and physical 6’3” guard can use his strength to overpower smaller guards and had a solid junior campaign for Curie.

Tommy Lucca (Genoa Kingston)

Lucca plays the game the right way.  Everything he does is crisp and with a purpose.  He has a great feel for the game with his vision and distribution skills.  On the travel team circuit with the Wolves he shows his pass first point guard abilities while on his high school team he does it all putting up monster scoring numbers as well as dishing the rock.  After an injury that sidelined him during the season Lucca most likely will not sign until late, but a smart low-major program will get a steal here.

Tarkus Ferguson (Belleville Althoff)

The rangy and athletic 6’3” combo guard has a ton of tools to work with.  Ferguson plays primarily off the ball, but his value at the next level is as a big and versatile combo that can create mismatches on both ends of the floor.  Offensively he has slick handles and has improved his ability as a perimeter shooter.  Defensively he is a standout with his length, quickness, and lateral mobility.  Ferguson has offers from a variety of mid-major and low-major programs.

Micah Bradford (Bradley Bourbonnais)

Bradford is an athletic point guard that had a monster campaign as a junior.  He continued that into a solid spring and summer on the travel team circuit with Example Sports.  Bradford is more of a scoring point guard that is a slick ball handler that likes to split the defense and get to the rim.  Solid perimeter shooter that has a nice feel for passing, but is definitely a scorer first.  Defensively has potential with his quickness and active hands.  On the mid-major and low-major radar.  

Jarrin Randall (Morgan Park)

Randall is one of the top perimeter marksmen in the class.  He can look like baby Stephen Curry at times as we have seen him go off in last year’s state tournament and several games on the circuit with the Mac Irvin Fire.  Randall is great in the catch and shoot with deep range and consistent accuracy.  He has shown growth as a lead guard.  It is hard for him to fully show it with the best point guard in the state on both his high school and travel team.  It’s difficult for him to get consistent run with the ball in his hands, but he has shown flashes of improvement.  This might actually make him a little more intriguing as a prospect.  Committed to Western Michigan.

Matty Smith (South Elgin)

Smith is a strong 6’0” point guard that plays with a good feel for the game.  He makes sound decisions with the rock and knows how to run a team in the half court.  Smith plays with a good deal of confidence and is a solid shooter that moves well away from the ball to get open.  He is already committed to Central Michigan.