Class of 2016 Point Guard Breakdown

<p><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt">As we mentioned yesterday in the overall class outlook one of the strengths of the class of 2016 is the depth at the point guard position across all levels.  It starts with the best prospect in the class in Morgan Park point guard Charlie Moore who elevated his stock with his play in July for the Mac Irvin Fire and at the Nike Global Challenge.  The 5’11” lead guard has established himself as a coveted Midwest high major prospect at the lead guard position.  Moore is the only high major point guard, but there are several more D1 prospects!</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt">Potential mid-major and low-major floor generals are led by Mike Smith (Fenwick).  The quick and exciting lead guard elevated his stock with Team Rose in July picking up quite a few offers.  He is a good scorer that can get to the rack and knocks down open jumpers from mid-range and three.  Smith is an underrated passer that gets others involved.  DePaul commit Devin Gage (Curie) was hampered with injuries this spring and some during the summer, but the big and physical guard has as much potential as anyone after Moore at the lead guard spot.  Another player that was sidelined with injury was Tommy Lucca (Genoa Kingston) who is a classic old school pass first point guard with flare and vision.  He will be a great addition late for some program.  Tarkus Ferguson (Belleville Althoff) and Micah Bradford (Bradley Bourbonnais) are two athletic combo guards that are rangy and have potential as scorers and defenders.  Western Michigan commit Jarrin Randall (Morgan Park) is among the best shooters at the position and boosted his stock with improved play as a facilitator.  Matty Smith (South Elgin) is a physical guard that will make an impact at Central Michigan.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt">The depth shows at the D2 level with some central Illinois point guards in Ilijah Donnelly (Bloomington), Ethan Meeker (Galesburg), Jason Jones (Rock Island), Xavier Bishop (Springfield Lanpheir), and Josh Robinson (Normal West).  A couple of intriguing small guards that just make plays are even further south in D’Aaron Owens (Centralia) and Braden Fitzjerrells (Mt. Vernon).  Bryce Barnes (Bogan), Darius Branch (Leo), and Daniko Jackson (Riverside Brookfield) are a trio of tough guards in the Chicago area that are sometimes overlooked.  A duo of PG’s from the Tri City Thunder grassroots program Canaan Coffey (Batavia) and James McQuillan (St. Charles East) each opened eyes on the D2 level in July with their play.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt">When looking at D3 and NAIA players there are plenty of great options.  Devon Sams (Bolingbrook) is one of my favorites.  The tough bowling ball of a guard is tough as nails, excels in the mid-range, gets his teammates involved, and plays tough defense.  His teammate on the Illinois Celtics Joseph Sieger (Neuqua Valley) is a smooth shooter that will make an impact.  A couple of scorers that are intriguing include CJ Neville (Rock Island) and Lee Higgins (Plainfield East).  </span></span></p>