Early Season Standouts: Point Guards

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is a really impressive list of point guards whose skills showcase a wide variety of ways to get the job done. No matter how you look at it, these guys have been off to hot starts and represent a really solid group of floor generals who lead their respective teams by setting the pace and playing high IQ hoops.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1587980"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"The big Nathan Hale point guard looks even better than last year when he was a second-team all-league selection. Somehow, he looks a little longer, still has that same great decision-making, but has improved as a scorer both inside and out. He was deadly from long-range in their opener against Roosevelt. It seemed every three he hoisted from behind the arc splashed through the net. He was hitting off the catch, off the dribble, splash after splash. Guyo also had a couple of nice takes scoring while moving across the paint with tough runners.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1863195"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Whitaker has continued to prove he is one of the toughest and craftiest players in his class. He showed the ability to hit from downtown last season but with a higher usage this year he's already showing off more ability with the ball in his hands and attacking off the dribble. He has incredible awareness and feel for where his defender is leaning, how to get them up in the air, and has the patience to score from just about any spot on the floor. He came through in a huge win over Bellevue last night with 34 points to lead the Patriots.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1850300"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Rivers was excellent against Rogers, setting the pace, looking to attack and score but being ready to dish it when help defenders rotated over to meet him. He is a smaller guard but shows incredible aggression to get into the heart of the defense and has great burst and balance to dance between defenders. His passes had zip and were placed right on the money whether he was kicking out off a drive, working the pick and roll, or feeding the post. It was an all-around solid game for the junior who was a steady presence for the Tigers.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1451029"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"This kid has been nails early on in the year. He plays at his pace, is fast but controlled, and has been an excellent conductor of Beach's offense. His ability to shoot the three forces defenses to press out further where they're likely to get exposed by his quick handle. When he has attacked the paint, he's done so with confidence and calm, and has been a steady playmaker so far in the season.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1696693"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Jones had a big summer and continues to glide through defenses early in the season. He beats his man with a quick first step and has the power on that second step to keep bursting forward to the rim. He's been a mainstay with finishes at the hoop so far and has just been unstoppable getting downhill.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["1451031"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"Weatherspoon is a dime-dropper who recognizes defensive rotations and passing angles, which has led to some outstanding passes in the young season. His speed puts pressure on the defense in one way, but his ability to zip the ball around with his passing and court vision is another element that adds pace to his game.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["1450994"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"Rogers has two really good guards who have shown early on they can set up teammates and put the offense into gear. Gilderhus has been an explosive player in the past, mainly with his ability to score the ball, but this season he looks a bit more patient with the ball and shows some more characteristics of a solid point. He's secure on the dribble, can prod driving lanes and maintain the dribble, but also has shown the ability to hit passes from all sorts of distances and angles.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["1978881"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"His offensive game is really about him using his size to create things from closer in. He's been able to get to the middle of the defense and use his length to finish over and around defenders, but he's also always got those eyes up and sees quick passes to cutters even when the defense is tight on him.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["1623734"],"_player_evaluations_8_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"This guy looks really good to start the year, scoring, pushing the pace, and shooting with unbridled confidence. In their game against Redmond, Martin sank a bunch of threes. The first one he splashed in after a little hesitation dribble. The second was a deep three toward the end of the shot clock, and the third splashed in just like the previous two. He's an aggressive, speedy guard who should lead the way for the Kangs this winter.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_player":["2205059"],"_player_evaluations_9_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"This is a kid to get to know now. He doesn't do anything flashy but is efficient, can score, pass, defend, and gets to the hoop just as well as he shoots from the perimeter. I like everything about his game and he's going to be a consistent force for the Mustangs in the KingCo this season.","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":10,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-656fc577dee47"} /-->