2021 Rankings Update: Top point guards outside of the Top-50

<p>PHC released the 2021 rankings update and, with that, broke down some of the top players in the class. With that, some players fall under the wayside. Here are the top floor generals sitting outside of the Top-50.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="770454" first="AJ" last="Guiao"] – Doherty</strong></p> <p>Guiao will once again be a main cog for one of the best teams in Colorado Springs this year. Doherty will lose their best player and man in the middle, which will open up the offense and force new players to step up defensively but return important pieces to the team, including their starting point guard. Guiao was one of the more entertaining guards last season that seemed to go under the radar despite running the show and providing Doherty with a true floor general. Guiao has a great feel for the game and a high IQ. He takes care of the ball, plays within the offense, and is comfortable with the ball in his hands. His size doesn’t prevent him from getting in the paint, and he is an effective scorer from multiple levels. Guiao put up 8.0 points and dished out a team-high 4.0 assists a game. I was a bit shocked not to see plenty of him this summer, but you know what to expect from him, and it should be another year where he leads the way and runs the team.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="770429" first="Cheick" last="Kouyate"] – George Washington </strong></p> <p>Cheick is an exciting player to watch as he is difficult for opposing guards to slow down due to incredible quickness. He gets to where he wants on the floor and gets to the rim as any other guard in the state. Cheick is also an elite perimeter defender that challenges guards as he can stick with most players, takes on the defensive assignment, and causes havoc on that end of the floor. He was not used as much as I feel he should’ve been for George last season but hopefully, the young guard who is essentially playing up a season is ready for his senior season. I expect for him to be unleashed as he will give the Patriots a great two-way option. He does a bit of everything on the floor. He can handle it, pass it, score, and defends at a high level. Cheick will have to calm down and hone his talents as he gets a bit sped up at times. Once he gets that feel and cadence down, I truly expect for him to dominate. He is one of the better guards post-50, and with an opportunity this year, he should take advantage.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="917030" first="Camden" last="Smithburg"] – Limon </strong></p> <p>Smithburg had one of the more underrated seasons of any guard in the state as he willed the Badgers to an impressive 23-2 record. He was named as a 2A First-Team All-State member after putting up a team-high 16.8 points and also was active on the boards at just under four rebounds a game. Smithburg is a high-volume shooter that spaces the floor with his outside shot and, despite being a smaller guard gets inside and effects the game as well. Smithburg attacks mismatches creates for himself and others in isos and is a solid combo guard with body control around the rim. He needs to continue improving his shooting stroke from deep but was a reliable shooter with tools to work with. He is a tenacious defender and competitor and will be one of the favorites heading into next season for 2A. Small schools should be giving him a look.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="965756" first="Scott" last="Grable"] – Eaton </strong></p> <p>Eaton will have a new look next season with so many players graduating but do, however, return two of their best players in their big man [player_tooltip player_id="965746" first="Ryan" last="Ure"] and also combo-guard [player_tooltip player_id="965756" first="Scott" last="Grable"]. Grable was a do-it-all player and go-to scorer for the Reds last season. He will look to improve on his great scoring success from his junior season as he averaged 13.0 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.4 assists. He was an All-State Honorable Mention, and his ability to rebound well for his size and start the break helps his team as it allows Eaton to starts breaks immediately. Grable attacks the rim, forces mismatches, and is active for putbacks. He has good positioning on the court, and he showcases great anticipation off-ball as he disrupts passing lanes. Expect him to have another solid season and to have Eaton in positions to win games.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="965752" first="Mateo" last="Magana"] – Denver South </strong></p> <p>Magana is a player that will be a welcomed addition to the Denver South squad. He sat out last season after making the switch from Northfield and will immediately become the primary ball-handler and best player on a young squad. We saw Magana this summer in private workouts and with Knights Elite, and he will be ready for the challenge. Magana has excellent body control and is comfortable with the ball in his hands. He has moments where he takes over, can take his man on the move, and finishes well around the basket. Magana showed glimpses of great passing touch and was a willing passer that read the defense and made appropriate skip passes on target. He has a deadly mid-range, creates shots for himself off of the dribble, and a great motor that allows him to keep attacking. On defense, he holds his own and is active in the passing lanes, which creates additional scoring opportunities. Magana will have to continue to put himself in situations where he has the ball in his hands, is creating for himself and teammates, and scoring in bunches as it will be a ton asked of him this year. After this season, I surely think that he makes a big jump in the rankings as I think he has a big year.</p>