Illinois Top Available PGs
The list of the best available point guards in the state is an outstanding group of prospects! Might be the best group of uncommitted lead guards at this point in the process in a long time. Here we break them…
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Continue ReadingThe list of the best available point guards in the state is an outstanding group of prospects! Might be the best group of uncommitted lead guards at this point in the process in a long time. Here we break them down.
Mark Smith (Edwardsville)
I have seen Edwardsville 2017 point guard Mark Smith play a ton in his four years of high school and on the grassroots circuit. As a senior he has completely taken it to another level! The 6’4” point guard has a strong body that projects well to the college level. He has shot the ball incredibly well from deep drilling pull up threes from well beyond the three point arc when we saw him at the Collinsville Tournament. Also got to the basket at will. In the past it was more overpowering his opponent. He showed that his quickness off the bounce has improved has he had more shiftiness than I had thought before. Finishes at the rim great with body control. Also completely posterized a couple dunks. Smith is a high IQ guard that understands the game. Made great reads passing it especially in the drive and kick. Plus rebounder for his position. The last box to check off is defensive lateral quickness to defend opposing point guards at the high major level. Projects as a high-major prospect at this point.
Teyvion Kirk (Joliet West)
Kirk has been outstanding as a senior. He signed with Drake in the fall, but after the coaching change he decommitted and got his release on Christmas. Made a statement with his play at the Chicago Elite Classic against North Lawndale where he scored 27 points on 10-11 FG. The rangy point guard is outstanding getting in the lane and converting in the paint. Slippery through traffic with the ball. Likes to use the euro step in the lane. Also uses his defense to flip into points by getting blocks/steals and going coast to coast for buckets. Sound mid-range shooter. Not a consistent three point threat at this point. Runs a team and gets others involved. Mid-major/mid-major plus recruit.
Jacob Keller (Fenwick)
Keller might be the single most under recruited prospect in the state of Illinois in the class of 2017. The 6’3” left handed point guard presents great size for the position. He handles it well and knows how to run a team. Gets others involved by making great passes with vision and feel. Gets to the rim where he is either fouled or converts. Slick handles through traffic where he is slippery weaving through the defense. Not a great three point shooter at this stage. He is a beast on ball defender. Maybe the best in the state. He has active hands and gets in passing lanes. Mid-major and low-major schools are crazy for not recruiting this kid.
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. Outstanding young man off the court. Bibbs signed with Drake, but after their coaching change he decommitted. Priority low-major lead guard that should also be looked at by mid-major schools.
Marcus Garrett (Hillcrest)
Garrett is a strong and powerful combo guard that plays with a high motor. He is better in a high school setting than on the circuit where he struggled a bit this past summer. Garrett attacks with the ball in his hands and can get in the paint where he converts or gets to the charity stripe. Streaky perimeter shooter. Scoring point guard. Very good D2 prospect.
Josiah Wallace (Marshall)
Wallace is a smooth lead guard that plays with flare. He is a very talented 6’3” point guard that had some off the court issues early in his junior year. That seems to be in the past now and after reopening his recruitment from Southern Indiana he has a chance to elevate his stock this season into the D2+ category. Smooth point guard that has a feel for the game and vision to find teammates.
Aundrae Williams (Springfield Lanphier)
Williams can be a bit of a streaky perimeter shooter, but he has become more consistent with it this year as a senior. Shoots it well mechanically especially off the catch. He starts with his defensive intensity really getting after it on that end of the floor. Quick and athletic combo guard that has active hands and moves great laterally staying in front of his man. More D2 programs need to be recruiting this senior. Very underrated prospect that will be a quality complimentary player for a D2 program.