2016 Rankings: Point Guard Overview

<h2>Top 15 Point Guards</h2><ol> <li>Michael Bibby, Shadow Mountain</li> <li>Tommy Kuhse, Mountain View</li> <li>Amiri Chukwuemeka, McClintock</li> <li>Julian Payton, Hillcrest Prep</li> <li>BJ Murphy, Saguaro</li> <li>Tarik Cool, Desert Vista</li> <li>Jake Rueter, Seton Catholic Prep</li> <li>Kendall Barnes, Westview</li> <li>Bryce Fisher, Shadow Mountain</li> <li>Bo Brunkhorst, Brophy Prep</li> <li>Malik Simmons, Mountain Pointe</li> <li>Terry Gates, Copper Canyon</li> <li>Matt Downey, Boulder Creek</li> <li>Dominic Rogiers, Paradise Valley</li> <li>Parker Trujillo, Tucson</li> </ol> <h2>Newcomers</h2><p>There are four newcomers to the rankings at the point guard position. <strong>Julian Payton</strong> (Hillcrest Prep) is a North Las Vegas import while <strong>Parker Trujillo</strong> and <strong>PJ Pena</strong>, backcourt mates from Arizona Power Tucson, are two of the better point guards in Southern Arizona. <strong>Ken Arrick</strong> is the second Saguaro point guard to make join the rankings.</p> <h2>Committed</h2><p>There is only one point guard in the 2016 class that has made a verbal commitment. <strong>Amiri Chukwuemeka</strong>, a 5&#39;11" scorer at McClintock High School, pledged to Hawaii Pacific last month after sitting the entire month of July due to injury. He looks to be an immediate impact player for HPU, a high level program that competes in the Pac West which is the top NCAA D2 conference on the west coast.</p> <h2>D1 Bound</h2><p>Of this crop, <strong>Michael Bibby</strong> is the only surefire player that will sign with a Division I program. He is a great fit for the low and mid major levels, depending on the system he chooses. He has very transferrable skills to the next level as his abilities to think the game, make plays off the bounce while still playing with poise, and consistently knock down shots from the perimeter will make him a hot commodity in the late signing period.</p> <h2>Opting for D2?</h2><p>While some of these players will have some Division-I opportunities, their best bets may be to opt for the NCAA D2/NAIA D1 levels in order to be immediate impact guys. <strong>Tommy Kuhse </strong>may be the best leader in the state, <strong>Julian Payton</strong> is a small but effective player (especially in transition), <strong>Tarik Cool </strong>is a proven winner, <strong>Jake Rueter</strong>, <strong>Kendall Barnes</strong>, and<strong> Bo Brunkhorst</strong> are guys that can make plays and knock down shots, and <strong>Bryce Fisher </strong>can defend just about anybody on the perimeter. <strong>BJ Murphy</strong> would fit in this mold but the Saguaro point guard is a 4-star football recruit who will end up at the highest level on the gridiron.</p> <h2>D3 Standouts</h2><p><strong>Malik Simmons </strong>and <strong>Terry Gates</strong> are both defensive minded guards that would have room to grow and develop on the offensive end at the NCAA D3/NAIA D2 levels. <strong>Dominic Rogiers </strong>may lack the athleticism to play at a higher level but his toughness will help him to succeed in the D3 ranks. <strong>Amaury Matthews, Parker Trujillo, </strong>and<strong> Malique Washington</strong> are some names that should be mentioned among the top point guard prospects for this level.</p>