July Preview: Top Available 2018 Point Guards To Watch, Part II
For members of the 2018 class, a vital time is on the horizon. With July comes the final three live periods of their careers.
It often comes faster than any of them realize. There are sure to be a large number of players in this class deciding on their futures, with colleges aiming to get one last look at some of our guys before they make their calls on who they’ll offer.
Some players in 2018 already hold offers and are on the verge of making their choices. Others are hoping to turn heads with a few big performances. As we approach the start of the first live period on July 12, we are taking a look at the 2018 class, by position, with players who are pursuing college dreams this month.
We start by looking at the top 2018 point guards. Here is Part II:
Tylor Trinh, 6-1, Colorado Chaos
Where he’ll play: West Coast Elite (Irvine, Calif.), July 14-16; Mullens High Profile Tournament (Wichita, Kan.), July 21-23; Las Vegas Fab 48, July 27-30.
Taking stock: One thing we noticed about Trinh in the spring is that he has put in a lot of effort to build his frame. His strong and compact and that helped him be more physical on both ends of the court during spring live periods. He has a great IQ and feel and can be a consistent outside shooter. He can play the point but is equally effective comping of the ball because he has a great sense of how to space himself on the court. He’s also got a nice motor and doesn’t make a lot of mistakes. The high-academic guard already has an offer from D-II Colorado School of Mines.
Projected level: Colorado Mines would be the perfect fit. Trinh has a lot of tools that could help him succeed at the D-II level.
Highlights: http://www.hudl.com/video/3/8894003/591922970c5da91dd4eddfee
Luke Johnson, 5-11, Colorado Titans
Where he’ll play: NY2LA Milwaukee, July 12-16; West Coast Elite Summer Classic (Ontario, Calif.), July 19-23; Big Foot Las Vegas, July 26-30.
Taking stock: Johnson was one of the point guard standouts at the Prep Hoops Spring Kick Off back in April. He has a fantastic feel for the position, is very hard to pry from the ball and is a selfless distributor. Though he gives up a big of size against other guards as an on-ball defender, he makes up for a lot of that with strong tenacity and a good feel for how to stay in front of ball-handlers. While he has many of the traits of a pure point guard, don’t discount his scoring. He averaged a team-leading 17.5 points per game for perennial 4A power Longmont as a junior last season.
Projected level: Johnson would be a perfect fit for a Division III/NAIA type program. He’ll bring great character and the chance to make an instant impact.
Highlights: http://cbsprt.co/2tys98B
Xai’Vion Jackson, 5-11, Colorado Hawks
Where he’ll play: Adidas Gauntlet South Carolina, July 12-16; Mullen High Profile Tournament (Wichita, Kan.), Adidas Summer Championships, July 26-30.
Taking stock: Jackson is a glue player whose game could translate to any backcourt. He’s smart, aggressive, very willing as a passer and, most importantly, loves to mix it up on the defensive end. While others on the Colorado Hawks top squad he has come up with over the last several years have drawn more attention, Jackson has simply been consistent in his ability to make a positive impact on the court. He should get a chance to show his full arsenal with a larger role for Eaglecrest High School during his senior season. Coaches should start planning for him this July.
Projected level: Division II/III/juco.
Highlights: http://www.hudl.com/video/3/7100416/5721e1e964e96b63802eeb05
Keegan Johnson, 6-0, Colorado Titans
Where he’ll play: NY2LA Milwaukee, July 12-16; West Coast Elite Summer Classic (Ontario, Calif.), July 19-23; Big Foot Las Vegas, July 26-30
Taking stock: Johnson is a crafty scorer who averaged 11 points per game as a junior and shot it well from 3-point range. Though he doesn’t blow you away with his speed, he’s a crafty attacker to the basket. He has good instincts defensively as well.
Projected level: D-III/NAIA/juco.
Highlights: http://cbsprt.co/2tzA9Gz
Taye Jones, 6-1, Colorado Titans
Where he’ll play: NY2LA Milwaukee, July 12-16; West Coast Elite Summer Classic (Ontario, Calif.), July 19-23; Big Foot Las Vegas, July 26-30.
Taking stock: Jones is another guy who can play both guard positions, but we put him here because of the value who would bring as a point guard at the next level. In a recent game with Monarch High during a June team camp, Jones looked like he had really bulked up his frame since even the spring. He’s not afraid to get to the basket and draw contact and he has a nice lefty stroke from the outside. Jones is a player who has been under the radar for some time, and he’ll need to continue to improve his overall feel, but he’s got nice athleticism and good size for the position at the small-college level.
Projected level: D-III/NAIA/juco.