Point Guards To Watch: South Florida Part 2
In this article:
Ceaser Linarez, Mater Lakes Academy
The battle-tested and seasoned guard brings a wealth of experience and poise emanating from big game situations. He knows how spark the offensive tempo and can deliver pinpoint passes in both the half-court set and in transition. He’s learned the tendencies of high-scoring teammate Cyrus Largie, who has scored over 2,500 career points heading into his senior year. Establishing this rapport with his go-to option at wing has been pivotal.
Linarez came alive as a reliable scorer this summer, routinely scoring in double digits. He averaged 14 points and doled out five assists per game under veteran head coach Juan Urbina this summer.
Trevor Ward, McArthur High School
The 6-foot Class of 2020 guard brings a veteran savvy and the ability to playmake. Ward has established himself as an effective slasher who can really get to the rim and finish or draw contact. He’s a fearless guard who is constantly in attack mode. He also doesn’t turn it over much and avoids being hit with those maddening bouts of inconsistency that tend to plague other guards. These factors were essential in allowing Ward to start every game as a sophomore.
He has quickly evolved offensively with his feathery stroke from 3-point land. He’s also flashed a pull-up game and a quick release jumper from 12-feet out.
Nathaniel Walker, Coral Gables
The relentless and high-octane 5-foot-10 guard is always going full throttle out there. He’s adept at carving space and getting right to the rack. He’s proven he could handle the rigors of manufacturing points at a torrid pace, which entails drawing hard contact at the rim and converting from the free throw line. He averaged 15 points and six assists as a junior last season.
The 5-foot-10 Class of 2019 guard is competent in the leadership department. You can hear him running the plays and enforcing the system out there on the floor, imposing his will as a communicator who knows how to feed the post and trigger the attack. A deliberate, controlled guard who allows the game to come to him and simultaneously thrives with decision-making, Walker will pilot this core next season.
How he sees the floor and gets the offense into rhythm is likely to mirror just how far this team goes next season. He possesses a very underrated set shot and will score in crunch time more than ever this ensuing season.
Gabe Taylor, Gulliver Prep
The 5-foot-9 point guard is a gamer. He knows how to pick apart a defense and knows how to carve space for himself and hit shots. He’s got pure passing ability and has proven he can pioneer an offense with his shiftiness, handle, crafty style, and IQ.
He’s always been a shot-maker, which will be a vital role for the seasoned Class of 2020 point guard next season. Defensively, he sets a major tone with his pesky style and gritty, tenacious play across all 94 feet. Taylor is arguably the best passer in the region, with his timeliness and pinpoint accuracy the most notable components of his dish-first make-up.
Toru Dean, South Miami
Sure, Dean tends to constantly make headlines and get a good share of the shine. Yet it’s hard to leave the First Team All-State point guard off of any list canvassing “who’s who” in the backcourt. Dean compiled countless games of double digit assists last season. He’s a scorer at all three levels and knows how to call his own number when the heightened pressure surfaces.
Defensively, Dean is one of the best in the city with his consistent harassment and ability to turn steals into quick transition leakout finishes.
Alejandro Caula, Homestead
The 6-foot guard has really filled out and developed a pair of biceps to supplement his ferocious, in-your-grill defensive style. Caula is one of the most unheralded and underrated on-the-ball defenders in the area. He’s handled the chore of really creating disruption and minimizing the shot selection of some of the city’s high-caliber scorers.