Top Available 2016 PG’s
There is still a quality group of floor generals remaining on the board. Here we look at some of the best that colleges should be recruiting! Mike Smith (Fenwick) Smith is one of the most underrated prospects from Illinois…
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Continue ReadingThere is still a quality group of floor generals remaining on the board. Here we look at some of the best that colleges should be recruiting!
Mike Smith (Fenwick)
Smith is one of the most underrated prospects from Illinois in my opinion. I don’t understand what more people want from him. He wins, can score, dishes it, and defends. The 5’9” point guard has the ball on a string doing a great job of getting in the lane drawing defenders and kicking to open teammates. He has a feel for finding his shooters particularly fellow senior Mike Ballard. The senior lead guard is an adequate shooter pulling up from both mid-range and three although he can be streaky at times. Defensively he is pesky at the point of attack on his opponent. Needs to be on the low-major radar for more teams!
Xavier Bishop (Springfield Lanphier)
Bishop is off to a great start to his senior season. What the 5’9” guard does on the high school level is something special to watch. Bishop is quick and shifty with the rock in his hands. He looks to score and boy can he! The senior loves the step back three and mid-range game. Also moves well without the ball to get open coming off screens and is ready to shoot as soon as it touches his hands. His speed getting to the hoop is on full display when getting in the lane finishing with a variety of scoop shots and runners. Definitely more of a scorer than distributor at this stage. Getting others involved is an area he will have to prove to coaches at the next level he can do on a night in and night out basis. Low-major/D2 level prospect that should succeed if put in the right system.
Ethan Meeker (Galesburg)
Meeker is a big guard at 6’2” that made the transition this past summer from off guard to playing on the ball. He showed a lot of potential for the next level in his new role. The senior has a good feel for the game and makes sound decisions with the basketball in his hands. Plus shooter that can spot up or pull off the bounce to drill a shot. Tough and fiery leader that will make an impact at the next level. D2 programs should take a look. Would be a steal for D3/NAIA’s.
D’Aaron Owens (Centralia)
Owens is one of my favorite players in the state to watch. He is the definition of a floor general. Owens knows the offense inside and out as he has been the man at the point for four seasons. He has a tremendous feel for the position along with knowing when and how to make the correct play. The high IQ point guard gets in the lane consistently with his quickness off the dribble and has the vision to find shooters, cutters, and his big men inside. Speed in the open floor also creates opportunities for himself and others. Owens hits acrobatic shots in the lane and isn’t afraid to mix it up inside despite his size. Defensively he is a pest at the point of attack with active hands causing turnovers and havoc. Needs to be looked at by D2 programs and would be a steal for D3/NAIA schools!
Daniko Jackson (Riverside Brookfield)
Jackson stands at only 5’10” but he plays with a lot of heart. He is a pressure on ball defender that causes havoc at the point of attack. Offensively the lefty point guard has slick handles and gets through traffic with ease. Loves to push the tempo and get others involved. Can hit a three on occasion although it is streaky. Worth consideration for D2 schools, but most likely will be a high level D3/NAIA prospect.
Darnell Latham (Prosser)
Latham is an athletic 6’2” combo guard that can really score the basketball. Our Chicago insiders love the upside of this guard at the next level. He has had a solid senior season continuing to put up big scoring numbers.