Class of 2019 Top PGs
What point guards in the 2019 class are at the top of the class? We breakdown the top 10 point guards in the junior class in Illinois!
PG Kejuan Clements (Simeon)
Overall Ranking: #8
Travel Team: Mac Irvin Fire
The Simeon 6’2” point guard is one of the top lead guards in Illinois. He is more of a natural combo guard that is making strides as a point guard. He was more aggressive with the ball this summer taking it at opponents. A big part of this is his confidence and now that he is an upperclassman. Gets to the hoop where he does a nice job converting at the rim. Streaky shooter. Mid-major prospect at this stage in the process.
PG Joseph Yesufu (Bolingbrook)
Overall Ranking: #9
Travel Team: Meanstreets
The Bolingbrook lead guard had a strong spring and summer with Meanstreets 16U. Yesufu has outstanding speed in the open floor blowing by defenders. He takes and makes tough shots at the rim. One of the best layup makers in the 2019 class in Illinois. Explosive at the rim despite his height being able to finish above the hoop. Yesufu is a good passer that turns it over a bit, but makes way more plays to the positive. Should be considered by mid-major programs.
PG Artese Stapleton (Kenwood)
Overall Ranking: #14
Travel Team: Young & Reckless
The point guard has an advanced feel for the game which is particularly impressive considering he doesn’t have much varsity experience with Kenwood having three high level seniors last year in the backcourt. Stapleton understands how get others involved by putting the ball in position for them to score. He has the ability to get to the rim with his smooth explosion and speed in the open floor. Beast on ball defender that gets several steals a game. Should be monitored by mid-major and low-major schools.
PG Tyler Cochran (Bolingbrook)
Overall Ranking: #16
Travel Team: Hoopers Basketball Club
Another successful showing in the final month of the grassroots season for Cochran. He shot the ball more consistently throughout the spring and summer especially off the catch. Smooth mechanics and when he is rhythm is a major weapon with his three ball. When scoring off the bounce is best on straight line drives to the hoop. Pushes it in transition with the ball in his hands and can score filling the lane as well. More of a combo than a refined point at this stage. Does flash drive and kick ability. Defensively really gets after it and competes on that end of the floor. Mid-major to low-major player.
PG Marquise Walker (Curie)
Overall Ranking: #20
Travel Team: Mac Irvin Fire
The 6’0” lead guard from Curie is a quality ball handler that has the rock on a string. At times he can over dribble, but also makes defenders look silly in stretches. Walker gets to the hoop with power drives where he combines his strength to overpower defenders and slick ball handling. Good body control around the hoop to finish through traffic. A lot of his scoring is one on one off the bounce. Very ball dominant guard. Jump shot has definitely improved since last season. Passes it with flare in a high risk/high reward fashion. Right now he is a low-major prospect.
PG Chris Roberts (Lincoln Park)
Overall Ranking: #23
Travel Team: Young & Reckless
Roberts is a downhill and attacking point guard. Over and over and over again he goes right at his man and scores at the rim. Quick first step allows him to get in the lane consistently. That speed translates into the open court as well. He blows past defenders and most of the time is looking to go right to the hoop for a score. Does a nice job of finishing through contact. Next step in development is rounding out game with a jumper and dishing the rock more. After a strong circuit with Y&R look for him to make noise this high school season.
PG Dashon Enoch (OPRF)
Overall Ranking: #24
Travel Team: Made Men
Enoch is a powerful combo guard out of Oak Park River Forest is a beast attacking downhill. Strong and explosive first step that he attacks his man and finishes well at the rim on a consistent basis through traffic. Takes quality angles. Flashes improvement on perimeter shot. Solid passer, but will need to continue to improve his feel to be a full time point at the next level. More of a combo at this stage. LM prospect at this stage.
PG Jeremiah Washington (Bogan)
Overall Ranking: #25
Travel Team: Young & Reckless
The explosive Bogan point guard has so much speed in his game. Killer cross over and is a very tough cover for defenders to stay in front of. Makes his living in the lane finding teammates for dump off passes, but most of the time converts acrobatic layups at the rim. Makes tough layups on a consistent basis. Little wild with the ball at times, but you take that with his playmaking ability. As a passer Washington makes fantastic dishes. This 2019 is going to make a lot of noise at Bogan this year. Should be monitored by low-major schools.
PG Treyvon Calvin (St. Viator)
Overall Ranking: #27
Travel Team: Illinois Stars
Calvin is a 6’0” 2019 point guard from St. Viator. He impressed playing up for the 17U Illinois Stars team with his ability to push the tempo. Also was a key cog in their success as a very good 16U group. Once the ball is in his hands he is off to the races the other way. Quick off the bounce and gets in the lane. Moves well off the ball at times and can hit a three. Active on ball defender. Calvin is a prospect that we will monitor this year at St. Viator to see how his game progresses. Low-major/high D2 player.
PG Bryce Bultman (Nashville)
Overall Ranking: #39
Travel Team: Illinois Bears
The first aspect that stands out about his southern Illinois lead guard is size for position. He is a legit 6’4” and a true point guard. He has an outstanding feel for the game. Plus vision in the half court making sound decisions with the ball in his hands. Just an advanced basketball IQ. Ability to hit a three off the catch and is active on the defensive end of the floor. Bultman will be the motor that makes Nashville go the next two years on a young and talented small school squad! Bultman really impressed and projects as a D2 player at this stage with low-major upside.