Top 10 Point Guards In Baltimore For 2019-20
The point guard position has become the most important in today’s game. If your team doesn’t have a ball handler that can do a mixture of facilitate, score and defend, chances are you’ll face some struggle. In Baltimore for the…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe point guard position has become the most important in today’s game. If your team doesn’t have a ball handler that can do a mixture of facilitate, score and defend, chances are you’ll face some struggle. In Baltimore for the 2019-20 season, there are plenty of talented floor generals. I break down my top 10 as summer comes to a close.
1. Adrian Baldwin | 6’1 | ’20 St. Frances
If you had any doubt in Baldwin coming into the 2018-19 season, he put all of those doubts to rest very quickly. The VCU commit proved over and over again to have an elite feel for the game with ability to make everyone around him better. He isn’t just a passing point guard, either. Baldwin came up clutch in two of the biggest stages throughout St. Frances’ national schedule. The first game-winner came against Memphis East in the Chick-Fil-A Classic as the 6-foot-1 point guard caught the ball off of an inbounds play a couple feet behind the three-point line. He drilled the shot and upset Memphis East, who had the No. 1 player in the country in James Wiseman. Baldwin then came through for the Panthers in the BCL Championship game in the waning seconds by burying a three at almost the same exact spot to help his team sweep the MIAA and BCL titles. He checks every single box you would want in your point guard. Not only is Baldwin the best at his position in Maryland, he’s one of the best all around point guards you’ll find on the East Coast.
2. Ryan Conway | 6’1 | ’21 Dulaney
Now that James Bishop is suiting up for the LSU Tigers this season, nobody in Baltimore makes scoring look quite as easy as Ryan Conway. The 6-foot-1 guard had a number of huge scoring outings for Dulaney last season and helped them advance to the Class 4A Final Four. Conway can create separation in a number of ways to get his shot off whether it be out on the perimeter or in the paint. After and impressive spring and summer with Team Melo on the EYBL Circuit playing against much taller, athletic opponents, Conway should find putting the ball in the basket even easier this season. His presence on the floor makes the Lions a dangerous team with his positive attitude no matter what the scoreboard reads. He’s always encouraging his teammates and doing the small things as a leader that can rally a team.
3. Rahim Ali | 5’11 | ’20 Poly
Since Ali was a freshman, you knew he had the feel and IQ for the game to eventually be a really special prospect. Here we are going into his senior season and that’s exactly what he has developed into. He fulfills the definition of a floor general, but plays with intensity and passion that his teammates feed off of. A savvy operator in pick-and-rolls, Ali has the vision, anticipation and ability to make pretty much any pass, but it has been the development of his jump shot that allows him to be most effective in those situations. Defenses now have to account for Ali as a capable shooter. Paired with his play making ability off the dribble, it will be a difficult night for any player that has to guard him for 32 minutes. Ali will look to orchestrate the Engineers to their fourth-straight Class 3A title this season.
4. Michael Gray | 6’0 | ’20 Lake Clifton
Gray is one of the most fearless players you’ll find in the DMV. It showed this summer as he helped lead Team Thrill to a big win over Team Sizzle . Gray made a name for himself on that stage with his stellar play against Jalen Suggs, a highly regarded player in the country. Winning on the big stage is no big deal for Gray. He helped lead the Lakers to a Class 1A title in dominant fashion. With a slew of quality transfers, the Lakers chances of repeating are strong. Led by Gray and his new backcourt mate Zack Blackwell, they’ll be looked at as one of the best duo in Baltimore. As for his playing style, Gray is a downhill scorer that embraces contact on his way to the rim. His jumper has improved over time, and although it’s still a blemish in his game as a prospect, he is more than capable of rattling off multiple three’s in a game.
5. Martaz Robinson | 6’2 | ’20 New Town
Robinson helped lead the Titans to a Baltimore County championship last season. The 6-foot-2 point guard offers a nice balance of scoring and play making for others. Robinson possesses great size for his position and uses it to his advantage when he attacks the basket. He gets into his jumper smoothly and is capable of filling it up quickly. If he improves on his consistent aggression as a play maker, Robinson has the potential to be special. There are times throughout games where he shows spurts of being just that. Once he makes that a constant factor, his team and his recruitment will pick up immensely.
6. Ausar Crawley | 5’8 | Mount St. Joe
Crawley was the ultimate floor general for the Gaels last season. The tough-nosed 5-foot-8 guard takes leadership with the ball and gets the offense into execution. Last season, his job revolved around getting the ball to James Bishop (LSU), but once teams started throwing defenses specifically to take Bishop out of the game, Mount St. Joe needed another scorer. Time after time, Crawley stepped up. His off the dribble pull up jumper is becoming a lethal weapon. He has a nice combination of strength and quickness that offsets his lack of height. Defensively, Crawley plays with tremendous pride and sets the tone with his ball pressure.
7. John Godinez | 5’9 | ’20 Parkville
Godinez is one of the more overlooked prospects in Baltimore. He was the catalyst behind Parkville’s turnaround as a program last season and will look to lead them to another successful run. In terms of feel and IQ, Godinez puts himself in the top five or four of this list. His elite ball handling skills allow him to make plays that many others aren’t capable of. He anticipates the defensive rotations effectively and can fit the ball in slight windows to open teammates. Godinez’s ability to shake his defender and create space keeps his defender off balance. As a shooter, Godinez has to be accounted for. He finishes his floaters with soft touch and with either hand. Defensively is where Godinez can improve, but like offensively, he uses anticipation to create turnovers.
8. Kendall Walker | 6’0 | ’20 Boys’ Latin
Walker will be a player who experiences a major increase in his stat line. Boys’ Latin has plenty of production to replace with losing key seniors and a transfer, so much will be placed on Walker’s shoulders. He’s shown signs of being capable to be a primary option on a solid team. The 6-foot guard can shoot the three at an efficient clip off the catch and can finish around the rim with touch. The good thing is, Walker is used to being a guy who takes care of the dirty work, so that mindset is embodied in him. If he accepts and performs like the Lakers expect him to, college programs will certainly start taking a close look his way.
9. Everett Cooper | 6’1 | ’22 McDonogh
Cooper is another point guard who will see a significant change in his role. With the news of David Brown III transferring to Bishop McNamara, it leaves the Eagles with a void to fill: an aggressive scorer. Cooper’s responsibilities consisted of getting the team into the offense and being more of a floor general as a freshman. He had his games when he put up solid scoring numbers, but the Eagles were at their best when he was acting as a play maker. Looking forward to this season, Cooper has grown and filled out to the point where he won’t be pushed around as easily. That will come in handy when attacking the rim. Fortunately for him, the Eagles have an incoming freshman point guard in Mathani Paul-Swinson who will allow Cooper to slide off the ball for spurts and be more of a scorer. It’ll be a good chance to see if Cooper is ready to take the next step.
10. Deon Perry | 5’9 | ’22 Mt. Carmel
Perry had a standout freshman season despite Mt. Carmel struggling as a team. The 5-foot-9 point guard was one of two freshman to be recognized by the MIAA as an honorable mention award winner. His ability to blow by his man and get into the paint, forcing the defense to collapse, is what makes him such an effective play maker. Perry had his share of ups and down as a freshman, but once the middle of the season came, you started to see more consistency and comfort from him. Next season, the sophomore guard will have complete control of the offense. He approaches with a mindset of getting his teammates involved early so the looks open up for him. Defenses will be game planning specifically to stop Perry. That should bring out even more in Perry with the competitor he prides himself to be.