Top 2024 Point Guards from October Fall Ball

Check out my analysis on some of the top 2024 point guards who have really been making noise through their stellar play this fall! I have been traveling all over Texas all October, and here is my list of some of the top performers since we wrapped up Summer Ball!

Anthony Bates Jr 2024 6’3 Katy Seven Lakes High School

Anthony is a skilled guard with great size who can calmly operate as his team’s point guard or have the entire offense run through his steady shot selection and the ease in which he can score across all three levels. He is great at manipulating the defense with his patience, controlling the tempo of the game and dominating in the open court. This summer, Bates showed off his versatility, playing both on and off the ball with Houston Hoops. Now he is back to running the show at Seven Lakes, and does so at a very high level. Bates is ELITE out of the pick and roll, as he patiently manipulates the defense, running his defender into the screen and searching for that glimmer of separation to make a high level decision. What makes Bates an elite level prospect is not his stellar athleticism, tight handle, or high level shot making ability but his patience in every situation, and his overall basketball IQ and feel for the game. Coaches, you NEED to check this kid out if you have not already, high GPA, leader on and off the court, and a great kid! Everyone who I have spoken to about this young man has had nothing but glowing things to say, both his play-style and game but also his character.

Divine Ugochukwu 2024 6’3 Fort Bend Clements High School

Divine is one of the best guards in the state of Texas, especially in Houston. All of Clement’s offense is run through him,relying on him to make shots and create looks for his teammates, which he does with consistency on a night to night basis. He is the ideal combo guard, able to take over the ball and push the tempo if necessary or spot up in the corners and work off the ball to get his own shots. He is tasked with playing more out of the pick and roll, with two 6’9+ forwards who are great rim runners. I was very impressed by how well he was able to attack the defense in any situation within the half court, even after facing considerable defensive pressure. It does not matter if the defense sends two, he is splitting that coverage by squeezing through tight gaps and getting to the rim or finding his open teammate. His aggressiveness bleeds through into all aspects of his game, fearlessly attacking the rim and putting pressure on the defense. With Clements, he is tasked with scoring at least 18 a night, and he does so with ease. His ability to play with pace and change directions is already at an extremely high level. His shiftiness will easily translate to the next level. As he continues to play as the focal option and take on more point guard role’s, I fully expect him to make an elite jump during his junior year. Divine and Clements are coming off of a deep post season run last year, and some how came back deeper this year!

Qasim Boyd Qasim Boyd 6'0" | PG Dickinson | 2024 TX 2024 5’11 Dickinson High School

Qasim is a crafty point guard who easily and routinely creates separation with his handle and herky jerky playstyle, calmly shifting his opponent’s weight and blowing past them. He is a silky smooth scorer who can easily get to his spots in the mid-range, or beyond the arc. I loved how well he played with the ball in his hands, pushing the tempo and leading his team with his blazing end to end speed. He has all the tools to take the reigns as the dynamic lead point guard from Dickinson after Smurf Millender leaves for South Alabama University next year.Boyd showed he did not need the ball in his hands to be effective either, a good showing for him playing alongside Millender this season. He knocked down shots off the catch and used head fakes to attack the rim on hard closeouts. Another aspect that made him stand out was his aggressiveness, hunting for his shots and looking to turn the corner on his on ball defender to slash and attack the rim. His aggressiveness and ability to get a shot off when his team needed it the most will prove to be a dynamic weapon for his Dickinson that made a deep playoff push last season as well!

Gary Brown III Gary Brown III 5'10" | PG Pasadena Memorial | 2024 TX 2024 5’11 Pasadena Memorial High School

Gary is a high level scorer at the point guard position, who can get his shot off over anyone and who has an ELITE connection with Robert Miller Robert Miller 6'11" | PF Pasadena Memorial | 2024 State #84 Nation TX (2024 6’9), creating a dynamic two headed monster for Pasadena Memorial High School. He is an incredibly dynamic and aware point guard who knows how to pass his teammates open, but also scores off the bounce with the best of them. Gary’s real asset is how well he can score from beyond the arc off the bounce. He constantly is able to create enough space with a series of crossovers and behind the backs to get his shot off. Every time I watch him play, I am in awe of how easy he makes it looks from three point range, and is already threatening that coveted fourth level of the floor. Brown is also a good on ball defender already who can move his feet to cut off driving angles. His awareness on the offensive end bleeds into his defensive awareness, seeming to be a step in front of his opponent’s mentally, beating them to spots. I would like to see him improve his intensity on the court, and look to push the tempo every chance he can to lead his team to have success on the break.

Todd Woods Todd Woods 5'11" | PG Fort Bend Elkins | 2024 TX 2024 5’11 Fort Bend Elkins High School

Todd is an aware point guard who routinely sets up his teammates with smart and timely passes. He always made good reads with the ball in his hands, especially in the full court. He found his teammates who were leaking out on the fast break with crisp passes, and then controlled the tempo within the half court. His natural instincts to set up his teammates was really fun to watch. He hit his big man ( Jae’Coby Osborne Jae’Coby Osborne 6'5" | SF Bella Vista Prep | 2024 State AZ 2024) with great passes to set him up, the two of them have a real connection out of the pick and roll or pop. I would like to see Woods get a bit more aggressive in hunting for his looks, he sees the floor as a true point guard, but will need to pick up his consistency from the mid-range and in the paint. Elkins is going to be a really fun team to watch over these next two years, get out and see them if you can!