2018 Rankings Breakdown: Best Playmakers
Photo credit: RunRebs.com
Playmaking can take on multiple roles. Lonzo Ball impacts the game with his superlative passing. Jayson Tatum scores with effortless precision while Josh Jackson impacts the game with his defensive prowess and explosiveness.
In Southern California there a number of players that put their finger on the pulse of a game with scoring, passing, etc. Here is our list in the Class of 2018.
Top Five Playmakers
5. Taurus Samuels (Vista/Gamepoint Pump N Run)
Future Dartmouth point guard is always engaged and has winner written all over him. Orchestrates the offense in the half court set, makes savvy decisions, and can score with his improved jump shot and bull dog drives to the cup.
4. Kihei Clark (Taft/Oakland Soldiers)
This UC Davis commit is shifty with the ball in his hands and can knock down 3-point shots on a consistent basis. Natural leader, always engaged, and continued improvement in the areas of shooting and decision making describe this evolving point guard.
3. Bryce Hamilton (Pasadena/Belmont Shore)
Arguably the purest scorer in the class and he possesses the highest ceiling on the list. This power-lefty can explode to the rim, drop in a deep 3, or kick it to an open teammate.
2. Spencer Freedman (Mater Dei/California Supreme)
Freedman possesses the highest IQ of any player in So-Cal. He’s a true point guard–whose passing acumen is uncanny, yet he knows exactly when launch one of his feathery jump shots.
1. Jules Bernard (Windward/Compton Magic)
It’s not surprising Bernard’s stock soared during the June summer camp season. He pounds it too much, but in the open court he is always in attack mode and can contort his body in traffic to convert the finish. His jump shot has improved as well which opens up his rim-attacking repertoire.
On the Cusp
* David Singleton (Bishop Montgomery/TBD)
Singleton is a pure bucket getter. His shot is unorthodox, but it goes and he has the power to finish through contact or set up a teammate.
* Dawson Baker (Capistrano Valley/Dream Vision)
The 6-foot-3 Baker is an innate scorer, capable shooter, and can find teammates off the bounce.
* Darryl Polk (Long Beach Poly/Prodigy Elite)
The quickest guard in So-Cal advances the ball in transition and has improved his jump shot.
* Alex Garcia (Brentwood/TBD)
Hard-nosed playmaker who can get a bucket at all three levels.
* Payton Moore (Santa Monica/Splash City)
Jump shot needs to improve, but he is a relentless attacker with an evolving feel for the game.
* Jamal Hartwell (Fairfax/Compton Magic Select)
Much-improved point guard who can nail the pull-up or drop off a nifty dime in the paint.