Standout Point Guards from #PHTop250

As we look at the top Point Guards that I saw at #PHTop250, I could spend several articles discussing the numerous PGs that got my attention. As you read through this article, you will see a lot of similarities across the board, but each prospect has their own unique flair that they bring to the PG spot. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/6D6D4473-2450-47C1-96DE-E4EA555435FA.jpeg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1304549 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/6D6D4473-2450-47C1-96DE-E4EA555435FA-242x300.jpeg" alt="" width="242" height="300" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="1300761" first="Davarri" last="Barthell"] - PG (5’10/2023/Dutchtown High School-GA) Twitter: @DavarriB Instagram: @d1_varri Davarri started off slow in the game that I watched him, then it was as if a light switch turned on, and D finally showed up to the game. When he did, he was one of the more athletic PGs that I saw throughout the day. No matter what classification or position, D had an unreal motor. He got up and down the court and seemed never to get tired. Davarri put pressure on the defense in transition and stretched them to the point that left huge gaps open for his attacks. Because of D’s speed in transition, it was tough for the opposing team to be effective in transition defense as defenders were left scrambling, leaving D with multiple options to get his team buckets. I was impressed with D when he flipped the switch as he took care of the ball, read the floor well, and made sure the ball was where it should be each time down the court. <blockquote> He is a heady player that knows how to control tempo and control his team. </blockquote> Opportunities for Growth: Definitely challenging Davarri to be more aggressive and locked in every time he steps on the court. When he is not engaged 100%, his team misses what he brings to the court, and D brings a lot every time he steps in between those lines. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/F4220726-8512-45E0-8929-883B0821C20F.jpeg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1304543 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/F4220726-8512-45E0-8929-883B0821C20F-244x300.jpeg" alt="" width="244" height="300" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="1300765" first="Jamal" last="Jordan"] - PG (6’0/2022/Leeds HS-AL) Twitter: @Jamaljordan22 Instagram: @Jamaljordan22 Jamal’s team lost the tip, so they were on the defensive end of the court for their first trip down the court. The moment that I saw Jamal on the defensive end of the court, I was locked in on him as he was exceptionally vocal. You knew he was on the court, and you immediately saw the impact of his defensive communication on his teammates. His on-ball defense was relentless, and it seemed as though he relished being the vocal leader on the defensive end of the court because he communicated every trip down the floor when he was on the court. I watched him throughout the day as he interacted before games, during his breaks in-between games, while he was on the bench, and if what I saw is his DNA as a player, then he is a great teammate and culture guy. He took care of the ball and created for others. <blockquote> He is an experienced guard that you can tell can carry the coach on the floor title. </blockquote> He currently holds no offers, but I think this could change as he gets in front of the right people. Opportunities for Growth: Continue to work in the weight room, get stronger, and work on his speed and quickness. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/9ED6CABD-DBC4-4BA1-A129-81E07D158B3D.jpeg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1304559 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/9ED6CABD-DBC4-4BA1-A129-81E07D158B3D-251x300.jpeg" alt="" width="251" height="300" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="1300754" first="Kaleb" last="Beckwith"] - PG (6’0/2022/Richmond Hill High School-GA) Twitter: @beckwith_kaleb Instagram: @_vvskaleb Kaleb was one of the most explosive, lightning-quick, and athletic PGs that I saw at #PHTop250. I was watching KB do his thing on the court, then one play just floored me as he elevated and threw it down and moved the crowd. Because he is so quick with the ball in his hands, he is a difficult player to stop in transition, and he can finish at the rim. He found a balance between scoring and facilitating. Shooters on KB’s team got a lot of c&s opportunities as he was constantly breaking down defenders and creating open scoring opportunities. There is no doubt that he can lead a team on a night-in and night-out basis. <blockquote> Kaleb’s three-and-D part of his game was on display as he is a player that plays both ends of the court. </blockquote> At the time of this evaluation, I have not spoken to KB about his offers, but I believe he can find himself somewhere on the next level. Opportunities for Growth: Playing his final season in high school and looking for a chance at the next level, like many players looking for a shot at the next level, KB needs to continue to work in the weight room and get stronger, and work on his speed and quickness. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/608AED09-A8B0-4ADE-ADD6-9BFD038081C8.jpeg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1304563 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/608AED09-A8B0-4ADE-ADD6-9BFD038081C8-260x300.jpeg" alt="" width="260" height="300" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="1300788" first="Braylen" last="Smith"] - PG (5’11/2024/Augusta Christian-GA) Twitter: N/A Instagram: N/A Braylen was one of the youngest PGs that got my attention at camp. He is still a developing PG, but he has the physical tools to emerge into a solid floor general. He handles the rock, can break down defenders and create for his teammates, and was one of the fastest end-to-end with the ball in his hands. His first step was lightning quick, and he made good decisions with the ball when getting into the paint. His PG IQ is still developing, and he is growing in his understanding of being a playmaker in pick-and-roll action. <blockquote> I like the trajectory of Braylen if he can put the time in the lab over the next two years to realize the potential that he has. </blockquote> Opportunities for Growth: I saw Braylen shrink himself several times when finishing at the rim. He has to continue to work on his strength and embracing and finishing thru contact. There was a time when Braylen seemed to take a seat back in the game. Whether he took a back seat because of the talent on the court or just having a lull at the moment, only B knows, but he is the caliber player that doesn’t have to take a back seat for no reason. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/E38DEAED-6D00-4DC4-91B8-FF8DC4AE8F9F.jpeg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1304567 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/E38DEAED-6D00-4DC4-91B8-FF8DC4AE8F9F-244x300.jpeg" alt="" width="244" height="300" /></a>Troy Booker, Jr. - PG (6’0/2024/Augusta Christian-GA) Twitter: @TroyBooker Instagram: N/A If there was another PG in the class of 2024 that got it done better than Troy, I did not see him. Now I did not see every player, but Troy made his case as being the best PG in the class of ’24 at #PHTop250. He is a hard-nosed player and is proficient on both ends of the court. He played beyond his years at camp and unleashed a lot of scoring tools out of his toolbox. When I initially saw TB, I inked him as a score-first PG, as he was putting up points in volumes. Whether in transition or the half-court set, he was a difficult cover. He scored from numerous locations and was very confident while doing so. Before I settled in TB being a score-first PG, he shifted and became the ultimate floor general. <blockquote> He created off the bounce for his teammates and gave the defense fits as they tried to guard him in pick-and-roll actions. </blockquote> His IQ is beyond his years and still developing. Opportunities for Growth: Continue working on creating space off the dribble to get shots off against longer, more athletic defenders. Continue working on his finishing moves in the paint. I will be bringing you more coverage from #PHTop250, so stay tuned.