Summer Stock Boosters: 2018 Point Guards (Part 2)
With the final live periods coming to a close a couple weeks ago, it’s now time to take an in depth look at some of the biggest stock boosters in Virginia throughout the entire AAU season. The lists compiled will…
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Continue ReadingWith the final live periods coming to a close a couple weeks ago, it’s now time to take an in depth look at some of the biggest stock boosters in Virginia throughout the entire AAU season. The lists compiled will be organized based on year and position, and will only include players that have open recruitments and have yet to make a verbal commitment. It’s impossible for us to mention every kid that boosted their stock throughout the summer, but we’ve narrowed down some of the players that took the biggest jumps in improvement and interest from colleges. Here’s part two of the 2018 point guards.
DeAndre Thomas | 6’3” | Millwood/Team Richmond 17U
Vantage Hoops Ranking: #19
He’s been slowly transitioning to point guard the last couple of seasons, and Thomas showed real improvement this summer. He was able to break full court pressure with no help regularly, he led vocally and got them into sets, showed improvement on his jump shot and was more aggressive in the offensive set with the ball in his hands. He’ll likely be running the show at Millwood, where he can prove to coaches that he’s capable of playing the point and leading a talented team in a slower paced environment.
Cle’Von Greene | 6’2” | Williamsburg Christian/BWSL WAWG 17U
Vantage Hoops Ranking: #23
The reclassification was decided upon before the summer circuit started, but Greene stuck with Steph Welsh’s BWSL WAWG 17’s and was one of their best playmakers throughout the summer. His athleticism and strength allow Greene to blow by defenders in transition or on broken plays to get to the rim and finish. He’s also a great rebounder for a guard, and he’s able to guard multiple positions and uses his all-out mindset to make plays off the ball. As he continues to hone the point guard craft, schools will be eager to see what type of backcourt system fits him best.
Chris Rogers | 5’11” | East Rockingham/Spectrum
Vantage Hoops Ranking: #37
With his height and athleticism, it’s easy to see that Rogers has to be a gym rat that works at his craft endlessly. He handles pressure well, gets into sets and is a threat to score both off the bounce and from deep off the catch. He has good feel and a high IQ, as he’s able to read defenses, however he does over dribble sometimes and his playmaking mindset does show lapses when he tries to force things at times that aren’t there. Still, Roger’s work ethic and tremendous skill set have some division one schools putting him on the list.
Tommie Pope | 6’0” | Cape Henry/Team Loaded 757
Vantage Hoops Ranking: #47
This summer Pope showed that he’s not just a defensive minded guard that is unselfish and runs the system. Early in the summer, he showed that when needed he can get a bucket in a number of different ways. He’s growing into his body, as evident by his improved athleticism at the rim, and he showed he could do it while still being a key factor defensively. His transition to Cape will be an interesting dynamic this season, but expect a lot of schools to keep an eye on him with Mark Hall’s reputation with point guards in the past.
Timon Jones | 5’8” | Henrico/Team Richmond Garner Road
Vantage Hoops Ranking: #53
Say what you want about his height, but Jones proved time and time again that he’s capable of filling it up with the biggest and the baddest. He showed great explosion to create space for his shot, he made shots from all levels and he showed a killer’s mentality when he got it going. If he gets the green light for Henrico the way he did this summer, Jones may take one of the biggest leaps in scoring in the Richmond area, and schools ranging from all levels are eager to see what he can do in a different system at Henrico
Ben Kling | 5’11” | Stone Bridge/LBA Attack
Vantage Hoops Ranking: #77
Kling is the old school definition of a “rock” at the point guard spot, as he is strong, tough and a good leader that will put his teammates in the right position to score. He may not be the tallest, but he is a playmaking guard that can hit shots from the outside and isn’t afraid to take them in big places. He held his own against some of the best guards in the DMV area this summer.