July Preview: Top Available 2018 Point Guards To Watch, Part I
For members of the 2018 class, a vital time is on the horizon. With July comes the final three live periods of their careers.
It often comes faster than any of them realize. There are sure to be a large number of players in this class deciding on their futures, with colleges aiming to get one last look at some of our guys before they make their calls on who they’ll offer.
Some players in 2018 already hold offers and are on the verge of making their choices. Others are hoping to turn heads with a few big performances. As we approach the start of the first live period on July 12, we are taking a look at the 2018 class, by position, with players who are pursuing college dreams this month.
We start by looking at the top 2018 point guards:
Tyson Gilbert, 6-1, Colorado Chaos
Where he’ll play: West Coast Elite (Irvine, Calif.), July 14-16; Mullens High Profile Tournament, July 21-23; Las Vegas Fab 48, July 27-30.
Taking stock: Gilbert has been on the rise and has developed into one of the very best point guards in the class. He’s a great fit as a modern point guard as a player who is unselfish and can get others involved but also can be a big-time scorer and is a strong outside shooter. He averaged 12.5 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists as a junior while leading Rock Canyon High School to the Class 5A state semifinals.
Projected level: Gilbert projects as a potential low- to mid-major Division I guard. He could excel as a Division II guard as well. He may not be as athletic as some of the elite players across the region at his position, but he makes up for that with fantastic feel for the game and his plus shooting and scoring ability. He also has a 3.5 GPA.
Highlight: http://www.hudl.com/video/3/4963889/58c8275b02b1c6133056cde9
Tucson Redding, 6-2, Overland
Where he’ll play: Wisconsin NY2LA, July 14-16; West Coast California, July 21-23; Las Vegas Bigfoot, July 27-30.
Taking stock: Few players have risen more in the last year than Redding, whose intense dedication to improving both his physical frame and game as a point guard has helped him get noticed. He has scholarship offers from Portland State and Idaho and has gained interest from such schools as Iowa State. As some schools see point guard targets come off the board in July, expect Redding to pick up even more attention.
Projected level: Low to mid Division I. Redding already is physically prepared for the rigors of D-I basketball. Another summer of grassroots ball and a senior season to follow in which he and Overland could compete for a state title should get his game to that level as well.
Highlight: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZgnHWpmrkQ
Jon’il Fugett, 5-11, Colorado Miners
Where he’ll play: Double Pump (Calif.), July 14-16; Elite 100 (Calif.), July 21-23; Las Vegas Championship, July 27-30
Taking stock: The whip-quick guard will be running with a new squad in July as he aims to show his talents as a harassing perimeter defender to more programs. Fugett is one of the best on-ball defenders in the state and his strength has an offensive player comes in his ability to penetrate with his quickness and make things happen.
Projected level: We think Fugett could fit into a variety of situations. He has the requisite speed and defensive capability to hit the low D-I level. His older brother Calvin, a talented 2017 guard, recently signed with Northwest Wyoming, and the junior-college route could potentially give Jon’il time to grow his frame while still competing against top competition. Schools of all levels should keep a close eye this summer.
Elijah Martinez, 6-1, Colorado Chaos
Where he’ll play: West Coast Elite (Irvine, Calif.), July 14-16; Mullens High Profile Tournament, July 21-23; Las Vegas Fab 48, July 27-30.
Taking stock: We caught Martinez in June and he impressed with his overall growth at the position. Martinez has always been an aggressive attacker of the basket. He knows how to find spaces in the defense and get to the rim, where he’s a crafty finisher. He plays with a high motor. His overall feel is now advancing, as is his shot, and he is tuning into a point who will bring multiple things to the table.
Projected level: Division II/Division III/NAIA/juco.
Highlight: http://www.hudl.com/video/3/4908256/58ced50742102e0dc4efadd9