2018 PG Stock Risers
One of the strengths of the class of 2018 in the state of Illinois is the point guard position. There is an established tier of lead guards at the top of the board. Others made moves up in July with their play and saw that recognized in the latest rankings update. We take a look at 10 point guards who saw their stock rise in the rankings!
PG Maurice Commander (Curie)
Previous Ranking: #29
Current Ranking: #19
Commander is a lefty lead guard that plays with a lot of smarts. The high IQ point guard is strong with the basketball and makes quality decisions with the rock in his hands. He showed this July that he is a solid mid-major point guard prospect with his play for Young & Reckless. We were also impressed with his play at the High Academic Showcase where he got others involved while still scoring.
PG Xavier Pinson (Simeon)
Previous Ranking: #30
Current Ranking: #20
Pinson has steadily seen his name rise up the board over the last 12 months. It started with a strong junior campaign at St. Patrick’s. He followed it up by doing an outstanding job of being the featured player for the Mac Irvin Fire NY2LA team. The slippery lead guard is an outstanding passer with a feel for the game and has the ability to shoot it from three. Really opened up the eyes of a lot of coaches with his speed and ability to get to the hoop.
PG Isaiah Fuller (OPRF)
Previous Ranking: #61
Current Ranking: #35
Fuller is a slick point guard that made the move over to Mercury Elite in July and saw his game take an even bigger step up. Fuller’s game is built on his speed which plays extremely well in the open court. He was a beast pushing the ball up the floor and getting points on the other end. Also brings some defensive potential to the table. LM/D2 target.
PG Jalen Hodge (O’Fallon)
Previous Ranking: #62
Current Ranking: #41
Hodge is a lead guard that flies a bit under the radar, but is a quality D2 prospect! He is smooth with the ball in his hands. Really impressed with the way he plays in the open floor pushing the tempo and weaving through the defense. Sound passer that can also knock down jump shots with consistency both pulling up in the mid-range and from three.
PG Alex Casieri (Deerfield)
Previous Ranking: NR
Current Ranking: #53
Casieri was a prospect that we hadn’t seen enough to get a firm eval on until this July and we came away liking what we saw. The Deerfield lead guard performed well with both Wisconsin Playground Warriors and at the High Academic Showcase. Casieri is a high IQ floor general that is a good distributor. Makes crisp dishes and gets others involved in the drive and kick where he finds open shooters. Casieri has the ability to shoot it as well. Quality D2 prospect.
PG Kevin Caldwell (Alton)
Previous Ranking: #77
Current Ranking: #54
Caldwell was phenomenal at the Next Level Invitational to begin the month of July with Jets-Ramey United. He won our MVP of the 17U division with his dominant play. Caldwell is a quick and shifty guard that also has some power to his game. What elevated his stock the most was the consistency on his jump shot. Good speed with the ball. Should find a nice home at the D2 level.
PG Patrick Fisher (Bloomington)
Previous Ranking: #133
Current Ranking: #72
Fisher saw a bigger role with the Illinois Wolves in July. He was asked to do more especially when we saw him at the Summer Jam in Milwaukee. Fisher is a fluid point guard with good athleticism that is improving his playmaking skills. Can slide over and play some two when needed. D3 prospect with upside.
PG Brian Conaghan (New Trier)
Previous Ranking: #142
Current Ranking: #73
Conaghan just continued to produce in July. The New Trier lead guard first came on our radar in the spring with his play for Hoops4Health. Continued that in July by shooting it very well from three, handling it against pressure, and making the extra pass to find a better shot. Smart player that will be an impact small college recruit.
PG Ben Tompson (Bartlett)
Previous Ranking: #144
Current Ranking: #74
Tompson was lights out the last weekend of the month in KC! At the Sunflower Showcase he was unconscious in a pair of games as he was phenomenal hitting shots off the catch. Also mixed in some drives and handled it in transition. A small college looking for a tough shooter at lead guard spot this is a good option.
PG Chris Pugh (Bloomington)
Previous Ranking: NR
Current Ranking: #106
Pugh also was a player that broke out at the Sunflower Showcase. His play with Team Illinois put him on the D3/NAIA radar with his speed and ability to score. Consistently got to the rim and made plays scoring through defenders in the lane. Competitive kid.