Illinois Class of 2017 Top PG
Who are the best of the best point guards in the state of Illinois in the class of 2017? We give you a look at the top 10 right here. Nojel Eastern (Evanston) Eastern is a 6’6” positionless prospect…
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Continue ReadingWho are the best of the best point guards in the state of Illinois in the class of 2017? We give you a look at the top 10 right here.
Nojel Eastern (Evanston)
Eastern is a 6’6” positionless prospect that we consider a “point-forward.” The Evanston star has the ability to set others up with a great feel for the game. Never gets rattled and makes slick dishes with the ball. As a scorer he is best slashing to the hoop. Solid handles in the open floor and rebounds well for his position. High-major prospect.
Alonzo Verge (Thornton)
Verge is a rangy 6’3” combo guard with incredible handles and speed with the ball in his hands. He is an electric playmaker that can absolutely take over games at times with his ability to get to the rim and make exciting passes in the open floor. At times he can be a bit high-risk high-reward as he can take over a game to win it, but also have multiple turnovers in a row to lose it.
Jimmy Sotos (Conant)
Sotos had a monster spring and summer for Young Legends. When you look at what makes Sotos a quality mid-major target it starts with his toughness and competitiveness. He is a high IQ guard that makes crisp passes in the half court and has his head up in the open floor looking to find teammates. Plus shooter from three at the lead guard position. He is particularly effective moving without the ball to get open and connecting from deep.
Jacob Keller (Fenwick)
Keller is a tough and hard-nosed lead guard that plays with a ton of swagger. At 6’2” the lefty combo guard has more than proven he can run a team over the last year. He makes crisp passes to his teammates putting them in the right position to score. Keller can also put the ball in the hoop slashing to the rim. His jumper is the weakness, but he has made strides on it in the last few months. Defensively he is a monster at the point of attack.
Teyvion Kirk (Joliet West)
Kirk is a rangy point guard that plays bigger than his size with his length. He had an outstanding spring for All-In/Young & Reckless. Kirk showed he could be a versatile lead guard getting others involved with his passing as well as score hitting mid-range jumpers with consistency. Tough on ball defender that projects as a plus defensive player at the next level.
PJ Pipes (Lemont)
Pipes is a super productive guard whether it is for his high school team at Lemont or on the grassroots circuit for the Illinois Stars. The power guard is a scoring point guard that can get buckets from all three levels. He is probably best attacking the rim where he can use his strength and body control at the rim to finish through contact. Pull up jump shot has gained consistency over the last year. His ability to run a team has made great strides as well and is a guy that people want to follow.
Tai Bibbs (West Chicago)
There is a lot of intrigue with this West Chicago point guard because of his projectability long term. He is a long and lanky lead guard that is smooth with the ball in his hands. Excels weaving in and out of the defense with the rock in his hands in the open floor. Solid passer that would prefer to be a setup man at this stage in his career. Scores it on occasion with a jumper or slippery drive through traffic.
Mark Smith (Edwardsville)
Smith is a dual sport star from Edwardsville that could play either basketball or baseball at the D1 level. The physical 6’4” point guard is a power guard that knows how to use that strength to get in the lane where he finishes at the hoop through contact. Compliments that well with a quality jumper from both mid-range and three. Outstanding rebounder from the lead guard position and has a feel for the game as a point guard.
Evan Gilyard (Simeon)
Gilyard is a quick and shifty left handed lead guard that isn’t the tallest, but plays with speed. He is best in the open floor where he pushes the tempo and makes plays. Slippery through traffic with the ball in his hands and has the body control to convert acrobatic layups at the rim. Streaky shooter from beyond the arc, but can get on hot streaks for short periods of time. Solid distributor and pesky on ball defender.
Keondre Schumacher (Normal U-High)
This Normal U-High guard had a great close to his grassroots career with All-In/Young & Reckless. Schumacher is a 5’10” lead guard that excels at shooting the basketball from the perimeter. He has a quick release with the ability to hit stop and pop jumpers as well drill them off the catch at a high rate. Improving game as a distributor and decision maker passing the ball.