2022 Rankings Update: Top Point Guards

<p>Prep Hoops Colorado recently updated its class of 2022 rankings, and this is one of our favorite classes as it is full of gym rats who want to get better, and there will continue to be shifts made to this class.  </p> <p>This is a class that we have seen the most of with tournaments, private workouts, underground runs, and plenty of BallerTV.</p> <p>Let’s take a look at the classes’ top point guards. </p> <h2><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">[player_tooltip player_id="918901" first="Sam" last="Howery"] – St. Mary’s</span></strong></h2> <p>Howery certainly had the stats and was maybe the most productive player in the state when you take a look at overall stats. He put up a league-high 20.5 points, led all of 3A in assists at 8.5 dimes a game, and also had 6.2 rebounds to put together one of the most balanced lines of the year. Howery led St. Mary’s to a 19-5 season and produced despite seeing double and triple teams at times. He is an elite point guard with not many flaws and plays with a chip on his shoulder. Many knew he was good heading into the summer, but I believe that some thought it was due to being in 3A. He silenced all critics with standout performance after standout performance no matter who he was up against with Pluto Prospects this summer. He showcased himself as a high IQ guard with elite court awareness that can score from both inside and out. Howery dominated in showcases and underground runs and proved that he is one of the state’s best pure point guards no matter the class. Howery comes in at the No.6 player in the class.</p> <h2><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="759275" first="Quis" last="Davis"] – Denver East</strong></span></h2> <p>Quis is the most electric guard in the state, no matter the class. There is not another point guard in the state with the athleticism that he has, and he makes sure to show it off every time that he can. Davis is a player that is most dangerous in up-tempo situations, and he is going to push the pace. He is a downhill runner that attacks the rim with reckless abandon and is a relentless finisher around the rim. Davis has excellent court vision and puts his teammates in easy scoring positions. He excels in pick and roll situations as he reads for easy dump-off/kick-outs or finishes at the basket, but is looking to dish. Davis is a natural-born leader that the team rallies behind, and for East this season, he put up 10.7 points and a team-high 6.7 assists a game. Davis had a game where he exploded for 42 points in his sophomore season, where he went 5-7 from beyond the arc. That’s the thing; if he can consistently shoot the 3-ball, it will open up a new part of his game and make him nearly unstoppable. He will need to dedicate more time to working on his jump shot because once he does, he will be a difficult player to slow down. He comes in at No.7 in the class.</p> <h2><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="918903" first="Jeremiah" last="Coleman"] – Colorado Prep</strong></span></h2> <p>Coleman is one of the craftiest guards in the class and is a guard that controls the pace on both ends of the floor. Coleman likes to get out and run fast, has a good feel for the game, and also puts his team in easy scoring opportunities. The 5’10 guard has excellent court awareness and can score in various ways. He will be making the switch from Chaparral High School to Colorado Prep this season and will be asked to do what he does best; facilitate. He is coming off of a season where he averaged 10.5 points and 2.5 assists a game as the primary ballhandler and is a solid two-way option that plays above his size. Coleman is a competitor that brings out the best in others around him and is a selfless leader that does what is asked of him. He comes in at No.9 in the class and will have an important role for Colorado Prep.</p> <h2><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1050952" first="Brayden" last="Maldonado"] – Smoky Hill</strong></span></h2> <p>Maldonado is the new kid on the block, and if you have not seen him, you will. Maldonado is a score-first guard that scores with floaters, leaners, turn arounds, and reverses. He is a tough shot taker but a tough shot maker and forces his will on opposing teams. He is a downhill runner that, when engaged, is a pest on defense, is a creative finisher, and he also takes chances with his passes. Maldonado has excellent vision, is a great outlet passer, and plays with a bit of an edge. Last season he was one of the best players in Alaska and made the switch to help lead a new look Smoky Hill squad that will look for him to lead the way.</p> <h2><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="759283" first="Bennett" last="Mather"] – ThunderRidge</strong></span></h2> <p>Mather is a guard that we did not get to see too much of this summer due to a leg injury, but from when we last saw him remains one of the top guards in the state. He is a tenacious defender that refuses to be scored on, has excellent court awareness and vision, and is a superb ballhandler that can break a defender down off of the dribble. For ThunderRidge, he helped make a strong backcourt as a ballhandler that teammates ran harder for as they knew they would be awarded for getting open. He gets his team in their sets, runs plays to perfection, and also finishes nicely around the basket. He is another guard that will have to dedicate more time to his outside shooting as it will create new ways to put points on the board, but there are not many other guards that you can name that will lay it all out on the line. Benett is one of the best floor generals that the class has.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>