Prep Hoops Top 250: Kwabene’s Top Four PGs
The Prep Hoops Top 250 attracted players with diverse talent from all over Michigan this past September! In my last piece, I took a look at some of the sophomore “bigs” that proved their worth and stood out to me from the Frosh/Soph session. This week I want to look at some point guards and pick my top four from the whole event that I think earned some recognition with their performances.
Devan Nichols – 6’3 – Benton Harbor High School – Class of 2018
There were a lot of skilled upperclassman guards, but Nichols was by far my favorite! He showed that he has a lot of talent in many different areas. He is quite athletic, and he made sure to put this to use. On the defensive end, I saw him get some steals and at least two really nice blocks. He also used his athletic ability to finish on the fast break with some pretty layups and easy dunks. As a point guard, he showed he could take care of the ball and make the right passes. On top of these things, his shot must be respected in the midrange and beyond the arc! In the end, Nichols’ athleticism, ball handling and distribution, and shooting ability make him a very well-rounded PG.
David Wilkerson – 5’6 – DeWitt High School – Class of 2021
Part of the beauty of this expo was the wide range of ages it allowed for. I love watching younger guys and speculating about their futures. In the case of Wilkerson, that future is looking pretty bright. Only 5’6 (but also only a freshman), Wilkerson was surrounded by height even among his fellow guards. However, he showed some crazy shiftiness when the ball was in his hand. I watched him in 2-on-2 drills get the ball, shake his man around, and step back for a perfect three-pointer out of his move. Overall, he showed an ability to handle and shoot the ball along with the confidence to do so even when out-sized by his peers.
Tyson Acuff – 6’1 – Cass Technical High School – Class of 2020
Acuff enters his sophomore season ranked by Prep Hoops in the top ten of his class, and this is not without reason. He was immediately distinguished from those around him at the expo’s Frosh/Soph session because of his guard’s body at the height of 6’1 (remember; he’s a sophomore). He showed a great ability to beat his defender and to finish at the rim even when he is challenged. His combination of ball-handling, quickness, and athleticism make him a challenge for many defenders. He also has a nice shot from the outside and was a great passer!
Artavius King – 6’2 – Holt High School – Class of 2018
King is a guy that I believe to be a bit underrated. He definitely gave me good reason to pay him attention in September! He’s stocky, but he used his body well and showed some surprising athleticism and quickness as he attacked and finished at the rim. He made some nice passes and showed good ability to distribute the ball. Finally, he complements these other skills with an outside shot that cannot be ignored!