Top Class of 2019 PGs
Who are the best of the best when it comes to the point guard position in the state of Illinois in the 2019 class. Overall it is a solid group with a large number of potential D1 prospects. We dive into that group here.
Markese Jacobs (Uplift)
Current Ranking: #6
Travel Team: Mac Irvin Fire
The Kansas commit continues to come off the bench for Uplift, but he is still clearly the best player on the floor as soon as he checks in. The dynamic point guard is quick off the bounce and finishes very well around the hoop with acrobatic layups. Gets to the rack on a consistent basis and has the ability to finish through contact for and-1s. Shows crisp passes. Has shown this season to be a bit out of control at times causing turnovers and bad shots.
Kejuan Clements (Simeon)
Current Ranking: #12
Travel Team: Mac Irvin Fire
Strong guard that can also slide over and play some two when he has too. More of a scoring point guard that excels attacking off the bounce and getting out in transition. Finishes well in the lane with acrobatic layups and body control. Streaky jump shooter from three. Mid-major to low-major prospect.
Joseph Yesufu (Bolingbrook)
Current Ranking: #13
Travel Team: Meanstreets
Yesufu might not be the biggest guard, but man does he have jets! Tremendous speed in the open floor attacking in transition and consistently winning off the bounce. The athletic guard finishes so well around the rim with his body control. His jump shot has greatly improved. Gets after it on the defensive end with his quick hands. He takes steals to the other end for touch downs. Mid-major and low-majors need to be on him. He won MVP of the Decatur Turkey Tournament.
Chris Roberts (Lincoln Park)
Current Ranking: #16
Travel Team: Young & Reckless
He has so much speed with the ball. Explosive burst getting to the rim where he finishes consistently with acrobatic layups. Over and over again he just takes it right at the defense, blows past them, and scores. Most of the time he doesn’t shoot it from three. Solid passer, but not an elite one. Tough kid that mid-major and low-major programs should have him on their radar.
Marquise Walker (Curie)
Current Ranking: #17
Travel Team: Mac Irvin Fire
I have been impressed with the progress in Walker’s game as a junior. He does occasionally still take some unforced shots from beyond the arc, but it isn’t nearly as many as he used too. Knocks down threes and mid-range pull ups. The part that made the biggest impact in our eyes has been his passing. He was excellent passing in the lane and getting other teammates involved with smart simple passes off dribble penetration when we saw him against Kenwood. Made consistently solid decisions throughout the game. Mid-major to low-major lead guard.
Tyler Cochran (Bolingbrook)
Current Ranking: #18
Travel Team: Hoopers Basketball
The powerful combo guard uses his strength to get in the lane where he scores at will. Great converting in traffic as he plays physical in the paint. Dominates in the lane with layups, runners, and mid-range jump shots. Also gets on the offensive glass for put backs. The D1 prospect is a tough and physical combo guard that mid-major and low-majors should track.
Artese Stapleton (Kenwood)
Current Ranking: #28
Travel Team: Young & Reckless
Stapleton is a slick handling lead guard that is fast with the ball in his hands pushing it up the floor finding teammates. Can also get to the rim himself in the open floor. Thin and will need to add on some bulk. Leadership potential here. Was very impressive over the summer, but has struggled with injuries and in the games we have evaluated him this season. Still like the upside he presents. Low-major prospect.
Jeremiah Washington (Bogan)
Current Ranking: #29
Travel Team: Young & Reckless
Washington is a quick lead guard that is explosive with the ball in his hands. Shifty in the lane getting in and out of traffic while also being able to cross his defender seemingly at will. What he lacks in height he makes up for with speed. Washington shoots it well from three pulling up. He has a burst of speed with the ball in the open floor and can break defenders down off the bounce. Low-major prospect.
Bryce Bultman (Nashville)
Current Ranking: #30
Travel Team: Illinois Bears
This 6’4” lead guard has tremendous size for the position. He sees over the floor and has crazy vision. Electric passer that sees passing lanes that others just don’t. Crisp and fluid movements. Handles it well in the open floor and has creativity to make a play with the rock in his hands. Has side spin on his jump shot, but when it matters in the games they seem to go in. Not the most explosive athlete, but knows how to get the job done. Bultman is a low-major point guard prospect.
Dashon Enoch (OPRF)
Current Ranking: #31
Travel Team: Made Men
Enoch is a 6’0” point guard that is built like a running back. He is the heart and soul of the OPRF team and a vocal leader. More of a scoring combo at this stage he is best going downhill with power and attacking through contact. Converts well around the rim. Rebounds well for a guard and is a tough on ball defender. Low-major and D2 schools should be monitoring him.
Treyvon Calvin (St. Viator)
Current Ranking: #32
Travel Team: Illinois Stars
Calvin is a 5’11” point guard and quality ball handler that is at his best finding creases to get to the rack. Quick twitched in transition pushing the pace. Most of his scores come in the paint. Rebounds well for a point guard as he gets a lot of rebounds and starts the break the other way. Pesky on ball defender. Should be looked at by low-major D1 programs and D2s.