Senior Leaders: Underrated 2017 Point Guards

Some point guards are thrust into the fire immediately out of middle school, while others are often brought along steadily as they study the game and work to master the offense and the art of being the quarterback of the team. While some of the top players in the state are heralded point guards, there's plenty of options that are flying under the radar at all levels. Here's a list of eight point guards who should make some big noise for their schools when the high school season comes around. The list consists of four players who were highly debated and possibly ranked too low and four players who were highly debated and just missed our rankings. Which one do you think is the most underrated? &nbsp; <strong>Andre Watkins | 6'2” | Varina | #67 Overall</strong> For some reason, Watkins gets overlooked a lot because he's constantly playing on balanced teams where no one really shines above others. However, the Varina and Team Richmond Garner Road point guard is in a good situation with those, because he has the size and vision to deliver passes on point to cutters and bigs. His length and size is also an advantage defensively, where he can bother ball handlers, deflect passes and help on the glass. He has to continue to improve his shooting, but Watkins is no less than a scholarship player who's simply flown under the radar. <strong>Josh Colon | 5'8” | Blue Ridge | #90 Overall</strong> The prototypical little guard, Colon possesses a high basketball IQ, is crafty off the dribble, is a pesky defender and most importantly he's a competitor. Whatever the role is for Colon, who played off the ball for Blue Ridge the last two seasons in the same backcourt as 5'8” Canisius commit Malik Johnson, he always makes winning plays on both ends of the floor. He reads the pick-and-roll, sees defensive rotations when he gets in the paint and has a variety of creative finishes that allow him to keep defenses honest. Expect to see more of Colon on the basketball this year at Blue Ridge. <strong>Adnan Arslanagic | 6'0 | Virginia Episcopal School | #96 Overall</strong> The foreign exchange student from Bosnia is one of those point guards that isn't the biggest, strongest or most athletic, but he can flat out play when you give him the ball. He has a european style at the point guard position, as he's a very skilled ball handler, shoots it well from deep and has a lot of finesse to his style. The lefty has a high IQ and would likely be a scholarship player if he stays in the States for college. <strong>Ryan Jones | 5'11” | Smithfield | #135 Overall</strong> Another guard with great feel, Jones is a drive and kick specialist who specializes at getting in the lane and sucking in the defense for easy jump shots for his shooters. Jones is crafty off the bounce, with a shifty crossover and the ability to change pace and keep his defenders off balance. He's a good shooter and is a creative finisher in the lane, and most importantly he's a leader that makes winning plays. &nbsp; <strong>Ryan Ingram | 5'11” | Western Albermarle | NR</strong> He may not be the biggest or most athletic, but Ingram knows how to play and be effective. He's a knock down shooter off the catch or the bounce, can get in the lane off pick-and-rolls and is deceptively quick in downhill situations. Ingram's IQ is what allows him to make an impact against bigger and more athletic guards, but what's most impressive about him is how he puts his teammates in situations to succeed. It will be <strong>Brian Harris | 5'8” | Armstrong | NR</strong> Talk about feel, Harris first stood out his sophomore year when Is saw him go for 17 points and 9 assists against a tough Varina team leading his squad to a 20 point victory. When we watch Harris now, we see a lot of the same stuff we did then. His height is his biggest issue,  but Harris plays with feel offensively, has a nice touch and sees the floor like a true floor general. He's an intriguing prospect going into his senior season, because he has a lot of younger talent around, something he's never really had to work with. <strong>Raheem Anthony | 5'9” | Liberty | NR</strong> Anthony is not on the tall side, but his athleticism is the biggest thing that stands out when you look at him. He's a jumping bean, that is always in the air whether he's blocking a shot, rebounding or elevating for a finish around the rim. He's also lightning quick, and end-to-end he's one of the fastest players we have seen in the state. He's an interesting player that finds ways to make an impact with athleticism, especially on the defensive end, and he's also a 3.5 student. <strong>Eric Thompson | 5'6” | St. Christopher's | NR</strong> Thompson comes from a heralded basketball family, and he's exactly what you want out of a little guard. Thompson is a true point guard, and a very good facilitator, yet on his high school team he's generally pushed off the ball by a division one point guard prospect in Alex Petrie. Still, Thompson finds ways to be productive, particularly defensively where he's a constant pest that guards the length of the floor and reads passing lanes. He's also a good shooter, has a solid floater and takes care of the basketball, making him a steady option in the backcourt.