Leading the Pack: Top 10 Floor Generals in 2017
The term floor general used to be synonymous with all point guards, but with the evolution of the position to include ball dominant scorers, true point guards and floor generals aren’t always seen as the best point guard prospects anymore.…
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Continue ReadingThe term floor general used to be synonymous with all point guards, but with the evolution of the position to include ball dominant scorers, true point guards and floor generals aren’t always seen as the best point guard prospects anymore. We took a look at our 2017 rankings, and have compiled a list of 10 point guards that we believe are the best floor generals in the state. Criteria for the list included leadership, intelligence, ability to make plays for teammates, ability to take over games, ability to handle pressure and how a player plays on the biggest stage. This list is in no particular order.
- Johquin “Pinky” Wiley; 6’0” LC Bird/River City Reign: He may not be the best player on this list, but Wiley could make a case as the best floor general in the state. He has a ridiculously high IQ, as if the game is going in slow motion for him, and he always knows where his scorers and shooters are in transition and when attacking. What makes him really hard to contain is his craftiness around the basket and his improved jump shot from the perimeter.
- Matt Coleman; 6’3” Oak Hill/Boo Williams: One of the best guards in the country, Coleman defines what a floor general should be because he controls the tempo, sees the floor and sets the tone on both ends of the floor. He has good size and athleticism, so when he gets in the paint you have to risk him either finishing at the rim or kicking to a wide open shooter after help.
- James West IV; 6’2” Freedom/BWSL WAWG: Known primarily as a shooter, West has shown flashes early this summer that he can facilitate and get teammates easy looks as well. He isn’t a “ra-ra” type of leader, but he continually makes the right play and is a threat to both score the basketball and create for his teammates.
- Mastadi Pitt; 6’2” Hampton/Team Loaded: A strong lead guard, Pitt is the new school style of floor general that starts by getting his own and then distributing when defenses collapse. He plays with a competitive fire on both ends, and is a natural leader that his teammates follow.
- Aaron Duhart; 6’0” Trinity Episcopal/Squires Richmond: When you talk about setting the tone, no one does it better on the defensive end than Duhart. He’s a pesky on ball defender, reads defenses and is always in position to take a charge. Offensively, he handles pressure well, gets his team into sets and is able to get in the lane and create when nothing is there.
- Gregory “Alden” Parham; 6’2” Monacan/River City Reign Parham: Whether he’s playing on or off the basketball, Parham continually makes winning plays for his team. He’s a long guard that is very crafty, and he can use both hands to shoot or pass the basketball. He’s more effective on the ball, because he can read defenses and make the right play in the right situation.
- Jahlil Jenkins; 5’11” VA Academy/Uncommon Bulls: Another score first guard, Jenkins proves time and time again that he’s just a handful to guard. He changes speeds and constantly puts pressure on the defense, especially in transition. You have to respect his ability to score, which gives his big men one-on-one opportunities in the paint.
- Josh Colon; 5’8” Blue Ridge/Spectrum: He may not be the biggest guy on the court, but Colon is a DOG on both ends of the floor. He typically guards the best player on the other team, getting up in them to negate his size and make them uncomfortable. Offensively, he’s a slick ball handler that gets in the lane at will and finds his bigs regularly for easy bunnies around the rim.
- George Mawanda-Kalema; 6’2” Episcopal/DC Premier: Other than Coleman and Wiley, Mawanda-Kalema’s ability as a floor general may translate better than everyone on this list. He has good size at the point guard position, and he has a high IQ, which he demonstrates by making the easy and smart play every time down. His ability to break down defenders in isolation situations and score it from the mid-range makes him a defenses nightmare.
- Dom Fragala; 6’0” John Champe/Higher Level: Fragala is such a talented shot maker that, over the course of the game, it makes it easier for his teammates to get easy looks. Once he shows his ability to make shots at each level, you can see the defense start to keep their eyes on him, allowing for easy back cuts and layups. He sees the floor well in transition, and is a crafty passer that can thread the needle too.