Rankings Breakdown: 2019 Point Guards (Part 1)
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 one of our point guards featuring eight of the best rising junior lead guards. Stay tuned to Vantage Hoops for positional breakdowns across each class, and more content on our updated rankings!
Ashton Hagans | 6’2” | Oak Hill Academy/GAME Elite 17U (#2 Overall)
Shifty, dynamic and a natural playmaker, Hagans is blowing up across the country and is quickly being vaulted into the conversation as the best point guard in this entire class. Playing up in the Adidas Gauntlet, he’s been virtually unguardable, and has a young but talented GAME Elite team looking like a true competitor. Heading to Oak Hill where they graduate all four of their guards from the last two seasons, expect Hagans to step on the floor and make an immediate impact on a national level there as well.
Anthony Harris | 6’3” | Paul VI/Team Takeover EYBL 17U (#6 Overall)
The best part about Harris is that he can play either guard position, and he can impact the game in a number of different ways. He can shoot it off the catch, handle it in transition or run the wing, and he has a solid frame already that’s only going to fill out more moving forward. He plays in a college like system, and he also possesses a high IQ that is another reason he should translate well to the next level, and so far he’s looked like a sure fire high major prospect.
Jay Heath | 6’3” | Bishop O’Connell/Team St8Ment (#8 Overall)
Heath has that killer mentality you want to see out of a guard his size. He is a strong finisher in traffic, can shoot it from deep off the catch and is a pitbull on the defensive end. He has good feel for the game as well, and his physical attributes mixed with a high IQ and good skill set means that he has a lot of potential moving forward.
Chase Coleman | 5’10” | Maury/BWSL Chiz (#13 Overall)
He isn’t as big as his brother, but he can do the one thing his brother has struggled with at times and that’s shoot the deep ball. He has tremendous feel and vision with the ball in his hands, and if they back off or go zone he can drill it with ease from NBA range. He creates space and makes players around him better, just have to hope his body matures, but he’s already very effective and knows how to play at his size.
Xavier Johnson | 6’0” | Episcopal/Team BBC 17U (#16 Overall)
He’s one of the best young shooters in the state, and he has deep range off the bounce meaning defenses have to pick him up early. He’s a smart kid that can read the defense, and he’s a crafty finisher in traffic as well. The biggest thing he needs to do is fill out and get more athletic as he grows into his body.
Evan Buckley | 6’0” | Stone Bridge/DC Premier (#19 Overall)
Talk about a young floor general, Buckley is an old school point guard that doesn’t beat you because he’s more explosive or bigger, he gets his team wins because he’s smarter than everyone. He always has his head up in transition, sees the game a few plays ahead and he can make tough shots off the bounce.
Levar Allen | 6’0” | John Marshall/Team Loaded VA (#22 Overall)
A stocky and strong guard, Allen looks like a completely different player in AAU than he does in high school. He’s athletic, and when he can get up and down he’s tough to stop once he gets a head of steam. He has great body control around the basket, and often finishes And 1s. Has to become a more consistent shooter and playmaker to take his game to the next level.
Antonio Bridy | 6’0” | George Wythe/BWSL Dip (#24 Overall)
Natural ability flows out of this kid, who can slither his way through any defense and finish over a 6’10 with a deliberate, but tough, euro step. He plays with a chip, keeps others involved and simply makes plays that most kids his age either can’t make, or won’t make. He has to get better at taking care of the basketball and making the right play, but he’ll easily make that difficult play that no one else could even do.