Point Guards: 20 Best I Have Seen This Season - Part I

Whether big or small, Louisiana has an abundance of very good point guards. During this first month of the season, I have gotten to see quite a few. In part one, I will recap ten of the top point guards I have seen during the first month. 1. [player_tooltip player_id="778619" first="Jalen" last="Cook"] (2020/Walker) - The reigning Gatorade Player of the Year. He is a force of nature on the floor. While he is the leading scorer for his team, Cook also provides additional scoring opportunities for everyone else. He is off to another player of the year type start to his season. If he can figure out a way to incorporate his young teammates effectively, the Wildcats may make another Marsh Madness (state semifinal) run. 2. [player_tooltip player_id="848192" first="Reece" last="Beekman"] (2020/Scotlandville) - A three-time state champion that knows how to control the game. Reece can breakdown a defense with the pass or by driving the lane. While he is not lightening quick, he is very crafty on how he gets to his spots. This year, he has added posting up to his repertoire. From the post, he is still able to find shooters for open shots. His vision is what sets him apart and makes him the elite point guard he is. 3. [player_tooltip player_id="687699" first="Cody" last="Deen"] (2020/Bossier) - He is by far the best shooter in this group of point guards. Deen scores at all three levels but is a more willing passer. For such a small guard, he has great finishing ability. Deen has the ability to use various angles off the glass to finish at the rim. Kind of Rondo-esque. He can get caught up going shot for shot with opposing guards. However, his offensive firepower usually helps him win most of those match-ups. 4. [player_tooltip player_id="687683" first="Michael" last="Thomas"] (2020/Hamilton Christian) - Outside of [player_tooltip player_id="778619" first="Jalen" last="Cook"], he is probably the most explosive point guard. Thomas can take over a game with his defense better than most other guards. He always has a couple of steals which change the momentum for his team. Thomas is a point guard that does whatever his team needs. Whether it is on defense or offense, he knows what is needed for the Warriors to win. Thomas is a point guard who makes winning plays, period. 5. [player_tooltip player_id="781849" first="Rayshun" last="McCullar"] (2022/Huntington) - McCullar has more toys than any guard to play with in this group. That also means he has a high degree of responsibility as well. McCullar is evolving from his score first mentality into a better floor leader. While he is still able to get his own, McCullar has begun to recognize the subtleties of playing the point. He can feed the post better and make more precise passes to his shooters. All of which make him a nightmare to guard man-to-man. 6. [player_tooltip player_id="765923" first="Daniel" last="Ortiz"] (2021/Southwood) - It is a rarity that when a point guard embraces scoring that a team gets better. In the case of [player_tooltip player_id="765923" first="Daniel" last="Ortiz"], that appears to be the situation. Ortiz is one of the more gifted ballhandlers and scorers on the prep scene and can get to his spots with relative ease. Because the opposition is so focused to stop his scoring, passing opportunities are becoming more and more prevalent. When Ortiz is a handful, the Cowboys appear to be a better team. 7. Melvion Flanagan (2020/Peabody) - Flanagan has evolved into a complete point guard during his time at Peabody. Early on he came in as a change-of-pace player who was a volume shooter. Lately, he has become a more willing passer. In fact, he gets upset when who he passes to does not see what he sees. He is the ultimate competitor, however. Flanagan is still a shooter who can get hot quickly. Now that he has improved his passing, his overall game will become more dangerous. 8. [player_tooltip player_id="765920" first="Darrien" last="Perry"] (2021/Plain Dealing) - Perry is probably the point guard that makes passing and scoring look effortless. He is the primary ball-handler and scoring threat like a Cook and Ortiz. Even though teams know that, they still can not stop him. Perry is as deadly from the outside as he is when is driving to the cup. He does not get rattled when he is on the floor no matter the opponent. Perry makes it happen. If he played in a higher classification, he would be spoken of in a different light. 9. Nate Braden (2020/Lakeview) - In a senior, guard heavy rotation last season, Braden was more of a change of pace/scorer off the bench. He was also a spot starter. Now, as a senior, Braden is that senior who leads the team with his effort and his talent. Nate has expanded his range to a couple of feet behind the three point line. His range opens up more room for his drive game which was already top notch. His passing is also better than average. Braden can make all the plays from the lead guard position and play defense. There are not many better at doing what he does. (Photo cred of the picture above to the Shreveport Times) 10. [player_tooltip player_id="848235" first="Jayshun" last="Miller"] (2020/Homer) - Prior to this year, Miller was a bowling ball point guard who could bully his way into the paint and score. A knee injury and some lost weight later, Miller is now back. His style has not changed much but he can maneuver around the defense instead of through them. Miller is a deadly, three level scorer who gets to the free throw line regularly. This causes problems for his defenders. He has no problems getting into a rhythm. When he gets cooking, it can be a long night for the opposition. In today’s high school game, point guards have to score the ball. All of the players listed in each edition can do that as well as control a game. The group in the next edition may not have the name recognition; however, they have the game to be great point guards. Many in this group are unsigned seniors. So a college will get a quality guard who can run their team.