Vantage Hoops Rankings: 2018 Point Guards (Part 1)
The Vantage Hoops Virginia 2018 Top 100 Rankings were updated earlier this week, and now it’s time to take a closer look. Below is part one of our breakdown of the best point guards in the class. Stay tuned for more content, including additional…
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Continue ReadingThe Vantage Hoops Virginia 2018 Top 100 Rankings were updated earlier this week, and now it’s time to take a closer look. Below is part one of our breakdown of the best point guards in the class. Stay tuned for more content, including additional position-by-position break-downs, biggest stock boosters, and more.
Jaelin Llewellyn | 6’2” | Virginia Episcopal School (#2 Overall)
Canada’s best point guard prospect in the 2018 class, Llewellyn will have big shoes to fill in Lynchburg with the departure of Justice Kithcart (Pittsburgh), however all of the things we’ve heard and seen so far show that he’s more than ready. Much like Kithcart, he’s a two way competitor that uses his good size and athleticism to make plays on both ends. He has a tight handle but uses it practically, sees the floor when he gets in the lane, reads the pick and roll and is an athletic finisher at the rim. If he continues to improve his range on catch-and-shoot situations he’ll likely be a nationally ranked prospect by many services.
Rasir Bolton | 6’1” | Bishop Sullivan (#4 Overall)
“Raboogie” is at his third school in as many years, but wherever he goes he’s a walking bucket. The score first point guard has worked hard at his outside shot, and it’s paid dividends as he shoots it confidently and effortlessly both off the catch and the dribble. He’s a smooth and underrated athlete that plays with great pace, can score it from anywhere on the floor and still has the vision and feel to get his teammates easy shots. After a huge summer with Team Loaded VA, Bolton is sitting on double digit offers heading into his junior season.
Xavier Johnson | 6’1” | Bishop O’Connell (#5 Overall)
Johnson’s stock is sky rocketing currently, as he picked up high major offers from Providence, NC State and Nebraska after the AAU season ended. A super shifty guard off the bounce, he can break down defenders in isolation situations with ease, and he has great burst when he changes gears off the ball screen or in transition. He’s strong enough to finish through contact, athletic enough to finish at the rim and he can stop on a dime to hit the pull up or drop a dime to an open teammate. He leads by example on both ends of the floor, and he’ll have to keys to a talented Bishop squad this year with the departure of Ako Adams (Rice).
Jason Wade | 6’4” | Trinity Episcopal (#8 Overall)
Wade put up unreal numbers at Hanover last season, averaging over 25 points per game and often leading his team across the board statistically. He made the decision to transfer to Trinity and reclassify to 2018, and it has already paid dividends in his recruitment with recent offers from JMU, ODU and Towson. Wade’s biggest attribute is his size, as he’s a big combo guard with a great frame and athleticism to go along with it. He’s also stronger than most guards, allowing him to play and guard the 1-3 depending on the matchups. He’s on a much better team this year so he’ll have to learn his role and figure out where he’ll fit in, however Wade has the natural feel and vision to run the point, but is also athletic and strong enough to play the wing where he thrives in transition.
Jonathan Norfleet | 6’1” | Salem (VB) (#10 Overall)
He continues to take steps in the right direction, and Norfleet has a chance to be the best point guard in the 757 if he stays healthy and focused. With a new coach and a lot of turnover from last year’s team, Salem will rely heavily on their third year floor general who drew early comparisons to former Sundevil and Maryland great John Gilchrist. He’s really tough to stay in front of, especially in transition because he has great end-to-end speed and he’s a shifty finisher in the middle. He’s constantly in the lane breaking down the defense, and he’s worked on his jumper a lot to where it’s a consistent threat from deep. He gets sped up at times and needs to learn to play with pace, but he’ll go smack at his defender on every play.
Darius McGhee | 5’8” | Blue Ridge (#11 Overall)
North Carolina’s leading scorer last season is now in Charlottesville on one of the most talented teams in the state, and much like a couple of others on this list he has big shoes to fill with the departure of former VISAA Division 2 Player of the Year Malik Johnson Malik Johnson 6'4" | PG Hampton | 2024 State VA (Canisius). While he’s small, McGhee packs a big scoring punch and is very frustrating to guard. He has in the gym range and no conscious as he’ll pull up from the parking lot. He also has a tight handle, good feel whether he’s scoring or creating, locks up on the ball and will surprise some people with his ability to get up and throw it down. As long as the hoop is regulation height, expect McGhee to fill it up a lot this season.