Top Available 2018 PGs
The point guard group in the class of 2018 might be the biggest strength of the class. Many of the stars are off the board, but there are still plenty of quality unsigned seniors remaining on the board. We dive into that group here!
DeAndre Heckard (Romeoville)
Current Ranking: #17
Travel Team: Hoops4Health
Heckard is a 6’2” point guard that really impressed us with his play this past summer on the circuit for Hoops4Health. We have seen him three times this year and each game the #17 prospect in the state has looked solid, but far from dominant. What you have to like about Heckard’s game is his ability to get downhill with his broad shoulders and finish at the rack. Has a knack for getting to the foul line at a high rate. Fairly consistent shooter from 15-18 feet pulling up. Rebounds well for his size. Should be on the low-major radar for teams looking for a combo guard.
Xavier Pinson (Simeon)
Current Ranking: #19
Travel Team: Mac Irvin Fire NY2LA
Pinson transferred over from St. Patrick’s to Simeon after a big summer on the travel team circuit. He is coming off the bench for the state’s top team, but that doesn’t take away from what he brings as one of the better unsigned prospects in the class. Physically he displays what makes him intriguing at the D1 level with plus athleticism and a long and rangy frame. Shows a feel for finding others with his passing. As a scorer Pinson is tough to stay in front of getting in the lane where he finishes with floaters and runners. Pushes it in the open floor. Capable three point shooter with a lot of arc on his shot. Low-major target with mid-major upside.
Dravon Clayborn (Niles North)
Current Ranking: #22
Travel Team: Pure Prep
Clayborn is a 6’1” point guard with length and has good muscle tone in his arms. Plays with feel for the game and can really shoot the ball from the perimeter. Gets elevation off the floor and has a nice looking stroke. Smooth explosion off the bounce getting to the rack both in the half court and in transition. Can finish with both hands at the rim. Crisp passer that makes sound decisions with the ball especially in the half court. Drive and kicks to shooters. Defensively he gets up in his man and moves well laterally. He projects as a low-major prospect.
Isaiah Fuller (OPRF)
Current Ranking: #36
Travel Team: Mercury Elite
Fuller is an undervalued point guard on the recruiting trail. The 6’2” lead guard took his game up a notch in July with Mercury Elite and has carried that confidence over into the start of his senior season. He is a solid perimeter shooter off the catch. His biggest asset is getting to the rim and even more so to the line. Fuller passes the ball well getting others involved with crisp dishes. Solid defensively competing on that end of the floor. He is one of the better point guards still available and should be on the D2 radar!
Branden Ellis (Warren)
Current Ranking: #37
Travel Team: Kessel Heat
Ellis is one of the better unsigned combo guards available in the state. The senior brings big time athleticism and quickness to the table. Versatile guard that can handle the basketball and has the ability to get hot shooting. He is especially effective pulling up from mid-range and can spot up from three in transition. Finds soft spots in the defense and rises up to shoot. Acrobatic finishing around the hoop. Solid defender that projects as a guy who can guard the one and two at next level. D2 prospect.
Jalen Hodge (O’Fallon)
Current Ranking: #38
Travel Team: Jets-Ramey United
Hodge is one of the top handful of lead guards remaining on the board in the state of Illinois. The point guard is a smooth floor general that always has his head up looking to make a play for himself or others. Hodge plays well in the open floor weaving in and out of the defense. In the half court he has a first step that allows him to get past the defense and to the rim where he is a quality layup maker scoring on acrobatic finishes consistently. Also likes to use floaters over big men. Streaky perimeter shooter. As a distributor he makes crisp passes to teammates. Defensively he is a force pressuring the ball and cutting passing lanes.
Kaleb Thornton (Bolingbrook)
Current Ranking: #39
Travel Team: Meanstreets
Thornton is a thin and wiry point guard that is currently out after having surgery. He has great speed in the open floor pushing it end to end. He can impact the game with his quickness and passing. Makes some quality decisions in the lane dishing it to shooters. Hits an occasional three. Thornton is one of the top remaining uncommitted point guards and projects as a D2 prospect.
Chase Adams (Marian Catholic)
Current Ranking: #51
Travel Team: Team Rose
Adams is the player that runs the show for Orr. With so many weapons on the team he has the ability to get them all involved while also getting his own points. Pushes it in transition with his speed and court vision. Adams jump shot is getting more consistent from both mid-range and three. Very good D2 prospect.
Morgan Taylor (Marist)
Current Ranking: #52
Travel Team: Illinois Fastbreak
This Marist 6’2” 2018 point guard is tough as nails and finishes well around the cup. He is a better athlete than we previously thought and has a knack for converting tough layups at a high rate. Most of his offense comes from scoring in the paint on drives or getting on the offensive glass. He is an impressive rebounder from the guard position with a quick second jump on the offensive end. Jump shot isn’t a consistent weapon at this point. Pushes it in transition. Solid defender. Outstanding leader. Quality D2 prospect in our eyes.
Kevin Caldwell (Alton)
Current Ranking: #55
Travel Team: Jets-Ramey United
Caldwell had a strong July for the Jets especially the first week in Milwaukee. Quick twitched point guard that has a burst of speed and proved to be a better shooter than we had previously seen. He is having a solid senior campaign for Alton showing off his scoring ability while still getting others involved. Good athlete that has compact strength. Caldwell should be on the D2 radar.