Top 5 Backcourts in Nevada
Guard play is always integral when it comes to winning at the Prep level. This season we are blessed in the valley to be surrounded by a plethora of quality playmakers. Many of whom, have teamed up to create formidable…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingGuard play is always integral when it comes to winning at the Prep level. This season we are blessed in the valley to be surrounded by a plethora of quality playmakers. Many of whom, have teamed up to create formidable tandems. PH takes a look at some of the best backcourts in the state.
- Jaden Hardy – Richard Isaacs: Coronado
When you have two of the top point guards in their class on the same team, it’s hard not to consider them #1. Hardy can be dominant playing either backcourt position, and Isaacs is one of the elite sophomore points in the country. You get the luxury of having two pg’s as well as a guy that can get his. I wouldn’t describe either as knock down shooters, however it’s not a liability in their game and defenders would have to lay off at their own risk. Size wise they’re perfectly matched to guard any backcourt in the state. Hardy can guard larger 2’s while Isaacs can defend all points.
- Zaon Collins – Will Mclendon: Bishop Gorman
Zaon provides the Sauce and Mclendon provides the thrill. The 8 time defending state champions are led by their guards. Zaon is an ultra-athletic blur, with the ability to get paint touches at will. Mclendon provides outside shooting and quality perimeter defense. Together they are a difficult combination to slow down. Both have the ability to take over a game with their scoring, but also excel at finding the open man. Much like Hardy and Isaac, they are perfectly sized to defend both backcourt positions, with Collins possessing the speed to stay in front of 1’s and Mclendon with the size to contest 2’s.
- Anthony Hunter – Keshon Gilbert: Durango
Two of the top point guards in the state team up to form an impressive duo. Both players are more comfortable with the ball in their hands, however they have the scoring ability to be effective off the ball as well. With two pg’s in the backcourt, Durango has access to solid ball handling and decision making at all times. Hunter being a little older and a litter shorter, handles most of the point guard duties. Gilbert is free to hunt for his shot, but really because of their skill sets, these roles are interchangeable. Defensively both are Hawks with the ability to hound ballhandlers.
- Donavan Yap – Larry Holmes: Arbor View
While you could consider Hunter and Gilbert as point guards, you could define Holmes and Yap as 2’s. Both players stand a little over 6’2 and are able to get there shot off with ease. Yap, the UNLV commit lead the team in scoring last season averaging just over 15ppg as a junior, while Holmes poured in a little over 11 per game. They may be more scoring then point guards, however Yap did show the ability to get players involved averaging a respectable 3.6 apg last season. Because of their athletic ability they have great defensively versatility, which allows them to defend several types of backcourts.
- Nathan Van – Dominque Ford: Desert Oasis
Nathan the Magician and Dom Ford have perhaps the best complimentary skills of any backcourt in the state. Nathan is a special passer with the ability to find his teammates. Ford is an exceptional marksman who scores both by breaking down the defense, and off catch and shoots. They are both around 6’2 , but Van is more of a floor general while Ford is more of the scoring threat. That doesn’t mean that Van doesn’t get buckets, he averaged over 14ppg last year. Ford also brings a different element to the backcourt, a high level rebounder who chipped in with 7 rebounds per game. Similar to Yap and Holmes they possess the versatility to defend both backcourt positions.