2022 Top Point Guards

<p>As it is with most classes early on there are a large number of point guards who have established themselves.  Here we dive into the 2022 point guards in the latest PrepHoopsIllinois Rankings.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Jaylen Drane (Simeon)</strong></p> <p>Current Ranking: #2<br /> Travel Team: Mac Irvin Fire</p> <p>Drane is the clear top guard in the class at this stage.  The explosive Simeon combo guard saw significant playing time as a freshman coming off the bench for the Wolverines.  Drane is an advanced scorer that can get buckets from all three levels.  Really improved as a perimeter shooter over the last year hitting consistently from mid-range and three.  That is in addition to his slashing which is the best in the class.  Quick off the bounce with a burst getting to the cup.  Solid all-around passer that has a good feel for the game.  Plus defender that can defend both backcourt spots.  Potential high-major player.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Caleb Burton (O’Fallon)</strong></p> <p>Current Ranking: #7<br /> Travel Team: Southwest Jets</p> <p>Burton is an intriguing prospect from the metro east.  First jumped on our radar back in February when we saw him at the O’Fallon Shootout.  The 6’0” point guard is super smooth with the ball in his hands and has an advanced feel for the game as a freshman.  Sound passer and is the kind of point guard that players gravitate toward as the leader.  His jump shot has great form, but he needs to speed up the shot which will help him get it off easier along with being more consistent making it.  So many intriguing tools to work with here!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Donovan Jones (Solorio)</strong></p> <p>Current Ranking: #9<br /> Travel Team: Illinois Wolves</p> <p>Jones had a super productive season for Solorio as a freshman posting consistent scoring numbers as probably the top scoring 2022 in the Chicagoland area.  This point guard is a quick twitched athlete that proved to have a nice pull up game.  Speed in the open floor.  Scoring point guard that will be one to watch going forward!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Trey Pettigrew (Fenwick)</strong></p> <p>Current Ranking: #14<br /> Travel Team: Illinois Wolves</p> <p>We got our first look at this prospect at Run N Slam back in May.  Pettigrew is a scoring point guard from Fenwick.  He struggled a bit finishing at the rim, but you can tell the natural scoring talent is there with his ball handling and explosion with the rock in his hands.  Should grow into a dynamic backcourt threat to compliment Bryce Hopkins.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Reggie Whitaker (Hope)</strong></p> <p>Current Ranking: #20<br /> Travel Team: HIT</p> <p>Whitaker is a slick ball handler that got where he wanted to make things happen for his team when we saw him this spring.  Worked well in the pick and roll as well as just winning straight off the bounce.  Finished with athleticism at the rim on a regular basis.  Like the projectability in this young guard from Hope Academy.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Brylan Phillips (Decatur Eisenhower)</strong></p> <p>Current Ranking: #21<br /> Travel Team: Southwest Jets</p> <p>Phillips is a 6’0” point guard with a strong build.  He has a good feel for the game and an advanced basketball IQ at his age.  Solid passer that does a nice job of distributing the rock and getting others involved.  Flashes scoring pop as well.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Amarion Nimmers (Rock Island)</strong></p> <p>Current Ranking: #22<br /> Travel Team: Quad City Elite</p> <p>Nimmers is a point guard with a plus looking jump shot from three.  The 5’11” point guard could be the next in line to run the show at Rock Island.  Liked what he brought to the table in our only evaluation of him at Run N Slam.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Leontae Lilly (Orr)</strong></p> <p>Current Ranking: #23<br /> Travel Team: Mac Irvin Fire</p> <p>Lilly is a tiny point guard who saw solid minutes for Orr as a freshman.  Shifty with the ball in his hands and is a capable scorer.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Terrance Ford (Orr)</strong></p> <p>Current Ranking: #24<br /> Travel Team: The Work Foundation</p> <p>Ford reclassified down to this class and is playing with The Work Foundation this spring.  Aggressive on ball defender that gets steals.  Offensively uses his speed to make plays.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Cam Cleveland (Leo)</strong></p> <p>Current Ranking: #25<br /> Travel Team: Team RWA</p> <p>Cleveland is the younger brother of Leo’s star the last few years Fred Cleveland.  There are a lot of similarities here with his ability to shoot it from deep along with his playmaking in the open floor!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Miles Casey (St. Ignatius)</strong></p> <p>Current Ranking: #30<br /> Travel Team: Young &amp; Reckless</p> <p>Casey is a high IQ point guard from St. Ignatius that we had heard about, but got our first extended eval at Havoc in the Heartland.  The 2022 product is a crafty player with a feel for the game.  Scored mostly in the lane on runners when we saw him.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Mekhi Phillips (Springfield Lanphier)</strong></p> <p>Current Ranking: #34<br /> Travel Team: Southwest Jets</p> <p>Phillips has a plus three point shot early in the process.  The 5’9” Lanphier point guard is next in line of small scoring guards for coach Blake Turner at Springfield Lanphier.  He knocked down an array of threes with a quick lefty release when we saw him this spring.</p>