Best Available: 2018 PGs
The senior seasons have concluded for the class of 2018. Now it is time for them to focus on their futures in college. For many that means taking visits and making a call. Others there is still work to be done playing in unsigned senior showcases or this spring on the travel team circuit to try to get more attention from college coaches. We recently released our final 2018 rankings. With that being said we are breaking down the Best Available at each position in the state. Here are the top unsigned point guards on the board!
DeAndre Heckard (Romeoville)
Level Projection: LM
Travel Team: Hoops4Health
Heckard leads a group of solid point guards still on the board. The 6’3” lead guard has size for position along with broad shoulders. Best getting to the rim attacking downhill and can hit a mid-range jumper. Consistent performer throughout his travel team career with Hoops4Health.
Dravon Clayborn (Niles North)
Level Projection: LM/JUCO
Travel Team: Pure Prep
Clayborn steadily rose up our board with his play as a senior. The fast point guard gets in the lane with a burst off the bounce and has some pop as a passer as well. Potential as a shooter, but needs to be more consistent.
Isaiah Fuller (OPRF)
Level Projection: D2
Travel Team: Mercury Elite
Fuller is a solid all-around combo guard that can score when he needs to getting in the paint with his combination of athleticism and strength. Capable shooter and is solid passer.
Brandon Ellis (Warren)
Level Projection: D2
Travel Team: Kessel Heat
Ellis is a plus athlete that also shines in track. He is a quick twitched athlete that makes plays in transition as a scorer and can pull up for threes. Sound perimeter shooter. More of a combo guard.
Kaleb Thornton (Bolingbrook)
Level Projection: D2
Travel Team: Meanstreets
Thornton is a thin and wiry floor general that is trending toward being a better passer than scorer at this stage. Drive and kick threat and can score in the lane on occasion. Pesky on ball defender with active hands.
Chase Adams (Orr)
Level Projection: D2
Travel Team: Team Rose
Adams has had an excellent senior campaign for the Spartans and saw his stock rise because of that. He is a smaller lead guard that plays with a quality feel for the game as a distributor. Likes pull up mid-range jumpers and pressures the ball.
Morgan Taylor (Marist)
Level Projection: D2
Travel Team: Illinois Fastbreak
Taylor put together a productive senior campaign and led Marist to a great season. He does the majority of his scoring in the lane with floaters/runners. Tough kid that isn’t the best athlete or shooter, but knows how to get stuff done.
Kevin Caldwell (Alton)
Level Projection: D2-/D3+
Travel Team: Jets-Ramey United
Caldwell is a strong and compact point guard that has burst with the ball in his hands especially in transition. Pushes it with speed and can get to the rim where he finishes well.
Michael Smith (Joliet West)
Level Projection: D3
Travel Team: Illinois T-Wolves
Smith is a plus shooter that is more of a combo guard. He can really let it fly from the perimeter and showed a knack last summer for having the clutch gene in big moments.
Jack Marinko (Edwardsville)
Level Projection: D3
Travel Team: Gateway Illinois
Marinko can flat out score the basketball! The Edwardsville senior put up huge numbers as he has deep range on his shot off the catch as well as pulling up off a ball screen. Tough kid!
Patrick Fisher (Bloomington)
Level Projection: D3
Travel Team: Illinois Wolves
For Bloomington the 6’1” floor general brings a calming force at the point. Controls the pace and gets others involved. Not a freakish athlete, but is a good one. He scores getting in the lane where gets buckets in the paint. Can hit an occasional pull up jumper.
Chris Pugh (Bloomington)
Level Projection: D3
Travel Team: Team Illinois
Pugh is a 6’3” combo guard that is more of a scorer than distributor. He is quick twitched and likes to slash to the rim. He can get hot from three every now and then. Pugh is a small college or JUCO prospect.
Brian Conaghan (New Trier)
Level Projection: D3
Travel Team: Hoops4Health
Plus shooting combo guard that can really let it fly. Plays with a high basketball IQ and should have an excellent career at the D3/NAIA level.