2018 Rankings Breakdown: Point Guards (Part 2)
It’s that time of the year again! With our new and updated comes new names, new recruitment and more! Over the next few weeks we’ll be breaking down all of our rankings, starting with part two of our point guards featuring eight of the best rising senior lead guards. Stay tuned to Vantage Hoops for positional breakdowns across each class, and more content on our updated rankings!
Darius Hines | 5’10” | Bishop Ireton/Team Takeover Orange (#26 Overall)
An old school “true” point guard, Hines is in a perfect situation this summer with a talented group of scorers on his Team Takeover Orange group. He plays with pace, sees the floor and can score from all three levels. His IQ allows him to negate his size on both ends, and whether he’s needed to score the basketball or create for others he’s willing to do whatever it takes to give his team the best opportunity to win basketball games.
Joe Bryant Jr. | 6’1” | Lake Taylor/Team Loaded 757 (#28 Overall)
A “bully ball” type of player, Bryant has huge shoulders and a strong upper body that allows him to muscle smaller guards and finish in the paint. What’s impressive for him, however, is that he is an underrated athlete for his size. He’s shifty and quick off the bounce, and he has a first step that surprises most defenders. He has to continue to improve his shooting and decision making, but he’s a tough matchup at the HS level right now.
DeShaun Wade | 6’2″ | Miller School/Team Felton (#30 Overall)
While some may go down, Wade’s stock is going up and will likely land multiple offers before his senior season begins. The reclass junior had a great year as the only ball handler at Miller, getting them into sets and creating opportunities for his shooters. He’s not the quickest or most explosive, but he’s strong with broad shoulders which allows him to finish through traffic and keep the ball away from smaller guards. If he can shoot it consistently and keep working on his body he’ll flourish this summer.
Nick Price | 6’1” | Northside (#32 Overall)
Smart, poised and with great leadership, Price took a big jump this season as he led his Northside team to the state championship where they eventually lost. A borderline D2-D1 kid, Price has great feel on the court, straps up on ball handlers and has improved his ability to score it from all over the court. He needs to fill out and get stronger with the basketball, but his ability to be a floor general is by far his biggest asset.
Domenick Bailey | 6’0” | St. Stephen’s St. Agnes/TTO Grey (#45 Overall)
Bailey is a crafty combo guard that can play in either role as the go-to scorer or as a distributor that sets others up. This upcoming season he’ll likely do much more ball handling with High Point commit Denmark Slay graduating, and it should allow him to show his strengths more. He can get in the lane and has good feel, and can also shoot the pull up off the pick-and-roll.
Rahim Jenkins | 6’1” | LC Bird/River City Reign (#46 Overall)
Our pick for breakout player in the Richmond area is this dynamic combo guard. Jenkins can flat out go. If you roll the ball out and say “Go get a bucket,” he’s one of the best in the state. He’s athletic, plays uptempo and can score from anywhere on the court, but he’s also a willing and capable playmaker off the bounce. Playing behind four scholarship guards last year kept him hidden, but with a lot of game experience this summer he should be set up for a big senior season with the defending champs.
Shyheim Gilkerson | 6’1” | Middleburg/New World VA (#48 Overall)
He has one of the quickest first steps in the state, and it’s a nightmare for opposing defenders to stay in front of him. His quickness can also be seen on the defensive end, where he has both quick feet and quick hands that allow him to make plays. He plays with pace off the bounce, but is also smart in knowing he can rip through or blow by defenders out of the triple threat. If he can improve his outside shooting it would take his game to the whole next level.
Chris Rogers | 5’11” | East Rockingham/Team Loaded VA 16U (#49 Overall)
He’s looking at either reclassifying or post gradding after this season, and it should help Rogers who needs to get stronger. A small but crafty PG, he has a tight handle and a very high IQ making him a floor general that thrives when put around other talented players, He can make shots off the bounce, reads the pick-and-roll well and makes great decisions with the ball in his hands.