The Breakdown: 2021 Combo Guards Part 1

<p>In this installment of "The Breakdown" we will take a look at some of the top combo guards in the class of 2021. </p> <p>Some may ask what is considered a "Combo Guard?"</p> <p>With the game basically becoming position-less basketball we tend to categorize guys by their skill-set. So as for a CG it is someone who has the mentality to score first but can also help with lead guard duties.</p> <p>What would constitute in labeling a player a combo guard, well that could be a host of things. From size, ball-handling ability, ability to shoot the ball and score from the wing area, or their overall game just won’t allow you to put them in a box.</p> <p>So take a look at "The Breakdown" of these Combo Guards in the class of 2021.</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/brody-peebles/">[player_tooltip player_id="613494" first="Brody" last="Peebles"]</a>, 6’2, Hartselle: This guy can flat out shoot the basketball. He has deep range off the catch or off the dribble. His ability to put the ball on the floor and score at the basket, as well as make plays for others should have him fit right in with the ASUN conference champs in a couple of seasons.</p> <ul> <li> <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width: 50%;"><strong>Strengths:</strong></td> <td style="width: 50%;"><strong>Needs to Improve:</strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 50%;"> <ul> <li>Shooting ability w/range</li> <li>Legit 3 Level scorer</li> <li>Ball-handling ability vs. pressure</li> <li>Passing ability</li> <li>Defensive anticipation</li> <li>Communication</li> <li>IQ</li> </ul> </td> <td style="width: 50%;"> <ul> <li>Ability to guard for extended stretches</li> <li>Shot selection</li> <li>Upper body strength</li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 50%;"><strong>Committed: </strong>Liberty University</td> <td style="width: 50%;"> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </li> </ul> <p><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/kaleb-brown/">[player_tooltip player_id="886962" first="Kaleb" last="Brown"]</a>, 6’5, Lee-Huntsville: The definition of a big guard. His high-level ball-handling ability and vision at a player of his body type is a tough matchup for any guard. His ability to get to the painted area and make plays is why high majors are starting to make offers.</p> <ul> <li> <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width: 50%;"><strong>Strengths:</strong></td> <td style="width: 50%;"><strong>Needs to Improve:</strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 50%;"> <ul> <li>Size at the lead guard position</li> <li>Handle</li> <li>Vision/Passing</li> <li>Finishing around the basket</li> <li>Mid-range scoring ability</li> <li>Good offensive rebounder</li> <li>Strength on defense</li> </ul> </td> <td style="width: 50%;"> <ul> <li>Ability to play above the rim</li> <li>Conditioning/Body</li> <li>Shot consistency from range</li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 50%;"><strong>Projected Level:</strong> High/Mid Major</td> <td style="width: 50%;"> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </li> </ul> <p><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/taye-fields/">[player_tooltip player_id="886967" first="Taye" last="Fields"]</a>, 6’5, Lee-Huntsville: A walking bucket! One of those guys who just knows how to score the basketball. Not a specialist at any one thing but all around gets it done. His size is a plus and something that separates him at this position.</p> <ul> <li> <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width: 50%;"><strong>Strengths:</strong></td> <td style="width: 50%;"><strong>Needs to Improve:</strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 50%;"> <ul> <li>Size at position</li> <li>Ability to go one-on-one off the dibble</li> <li>Willingness to pass the ball</li> <li>Ability to guard multiple positions</li> <li>High volume scorer</li> <li>Skill in the open court</li> </ul> </td> <td style="width: 50%;"> <ul> <li>Lateral quickness</li> <li>Intangibles when not scoring or creating</li> <li>On-court communication</li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 50%;"><strong>Projected Level: </strong>Low Major/Juco/Mid Major</td> <td style="width: 50%;"> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </li> </ul> <p><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/dj-fairley/">[player_tooltip player_id="887008" first="DJ" last="Fairley"]</a>, 6’1, Hoover: A smooth operator that excels at shooting the ball with consistency off the catch or off the dribble. A nice pullup game in the midrange with the ability to get to the painted area and score in with the trees. Excels in playing the passing lanes on the defensive end of the floor.</p> <ul> <li> <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width: 50%;"><strong>Strengths:</strong></td> <td style="width: 50%;"><strong>Needs to Improve:</strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 50%;"> <ul> <li>Shooting ability off catch or dibble with range</li> <li>Communication</li> <li>IQ</li> <li>Shot selection</li> <li>Passing ability</li> <li>High volume scorer</li> <li>Work ethic</li> <li>Shot consistency</li> <li>Footwork</li> </ul> </td> <td style="width: 50%;"> <ul> <li>Lateral quickness</li> <li>End to end speed</li> <li>Upper body strength</li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 50%;"><strong>Projected Level: </strong>Low Major/DII/Juco</td> <td style="width: 50%;"> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </li> </ul> <p><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/chris-lengyel/">[player_tooltip player_id="887025" first="Chris" last="Lengyel"]</a>, 6’3, Southside-Gadsen: A crafty guard with a nasty handle. His ability to break defenders down off the dribble is nice to watch. His vision and passing ability probably project him more towards the point guard position, However, his ability to score from all three levels has him in this combo guard category.</p> <ul> <li> <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width: 50%;"><strong>Strengths:</strong></td> <td style="width: 50%;"><strong>Needs to Improve:</strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 50%;"> <ul> <li>Creativity with handle and passing ability</li> <li>Ability to breakdown defenders off the dribble</li> <li>Vision</li> <li>Passing ability</li> <li>Toughness</li> <li>IQ</li> <li>Communication</li> <li>Shooting off the catch with range</li> <li>Ability to score in the midrange and at the basket </li> <li>High-level layup package</li> </ul> </td> <td style="width: 50%;"> <ul> <li>Upper body strength</li> <li>Lateral quickness </li> <li>Ability to play above the rim</li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 50%;"><strong>Projected Level: </strong>Low Major/DII/Mid Major</td> <td style="width: 50%;"> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </li> </ul>