2022 Top 10 Combo Guards
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Combo guards are some of the most versatile players on a basketball court. They can play the off or lead guard for the teams without any slippage in their game. In this ranking review, I will take a look at…
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Continue ReadingCombo guards are some of the most versatile players on a basketball court. They can play the off or lead guard for the teams without any slippage in their game. In this ranking review, I will take a look at ten best combo guards in the 2022 class.
Labree Williams Labree Williams 6'6" | SF Calvary Baptist | 2023 #186 Nation FL / 6’5″ / Calvary Baptist / PH #2
Williams is one of the most gifted basketball players on the Louisiana prep scene. He can handle the ball like a point guard and shoot the ball like a true sniper from the two. At 6’5″, the All-City and all state selection has little trouble elevating and shooting over defenders. With the ball in his hands, Williams can initiate the offense as well. Whether it is feeding the post or finding shooters off the dribble drive, Williams can make point guard type plays that others his size have trouble making.
Rayshun McCullar Rayshun McCullar 6'1" | PG Huntington | 2022 State LA / 6’1″ / Huntington / PH #7
McCullar has directed the Raider offense for the past two years and has done quite well. He has done so well that he was named to the second team All-City as well as district 1-4A. McCullar can probe the lane with the best points out there. He is deadliest when he can shoot his floater or mid-range jumper in the paint. When he slides over to the off guard, he can spot up or attack the paint from different angles. McCullar is very versatile and Huntington is at its best when he is on the floor.
Tawasky Johnson Tawasky Johnson 6'0" | PG Port Allen | 2021 State LA / 6’1″ / Port Allen / PH #8
Johnson, the 8-2A all district 1st teamer, puts pressure on a defense no matter which guard position he plays. When he plays point, he spends most of his time getting to the rim. Johnson is so dangerous in the paint. He also gets fouled and shoots plenty of free throws. Johnson is as tough as they come. When he slides to the two, Johnson gets to show off his shooting skills more. Even though he will settle for the jumper more, Johnson will put it on the deck and continue to be aggressive
Reginald Stoner Reginald Stoner 6'1" | CG North Central | 2022 State LA / 6’1″ / North Central / PH #11
Playing the one or the two does not look much different when it comes to Reginald Stoner Reginald Stoner 6'1" | CG North Central | 2022 State LA and his style of play. He is in full attack mode when he is on offense. While he can shoot, Stoner does not usually settle for jumpers. Defense is where Stoner hangs his hat. He has a knack for deflections and steals that is unmatched. His 1A semifinal, 7 steal game is a testament to his hardwork on that end. While he was 5-1A second team performer this season, watch him become more noticed in the seasons to come.
Tyren LeBeauf Tyren LeBeauf 5'11" | PG Hahnville | 2022 State LA / 6’0″ / Hahnville / PH #15
LeBeauf is another guard in this class that places pressure on a defense. When he plays off the ball, LeBeauf is definitely more of a spot up shooter. He is very effective from three which heightens his effectiveness when he has the ball. Hahnville runs plenty of dribble hand off sets which get him moving downhill whether LeBeauf is playing the point or the two. He is such a hard guard for the opposition because he keeps defenders off balance. Look for LeBeauf to be a definite problem for teams in his final two seasons. (Photo credit: Ryan Arena – Herald Guide)
De’vondrake Arvie / 6’1″ / Beau Chene / PH #17
Arvie is one of the more athletic combo guards. When the ball is in his hands, whether playing the 1 or the 2, his objective is to get into the paint. Arvie has the athelticism to finish over defenders and through contact. He has great touch on his pull up jumper in the lane. When he elevates, it is almost impossible to block. From penetration, he catches cutters or bigs with dump down passes for layups. The pressure this 1st team all district performer places on a defense is heavy. Once he has a better point guard feel, watch out.
Patrick McCraney Patrick McCraney 6'2" | CG Neville | 2022 State LA / 6’0″ / Neville / PH #19
McCraney led Neville to a 2-4A district title and was named MVP for the district. While he was more of a spot up shooter his freshman year, McCraney has taken his game to another level. He is putting the ball on the deck more and making plays for others. McCraney can still shoot it well from distance. His range definitely opens up the floor for him to dribble drive. If McCraney’s game continues to expand, he will be a combo guard whose game will translate well to the next level.
Alex Hammond Alex Hammond 6'3" | CG McMain | 2022 State LA / 6’1″ / McMain / PH #23
Hammond has a game similar to his older brother Greg. He is a player who can float between either guard position with ease. Hammond handles the ball well and can attack the paint, or finish, with either hand. Defense is where he seems to excel. His hand speed and quickness allows him to make plays on the ball. When he does steal the ball, he shows his point guard abilities by making the right read on the break. Hammond versatility definitely allows him to a top tier combo guard in this class.
Lance Waddles Lance Waddles 6'3" | CG Victory Rock Prep | 2022 State LA / 6’0″ / Loyola College Prep / PH #25
Waddles has the game to be an elite guard at either position. His ability to shoot off of screens and fade to open areas for jumpers is advanced for a player only in his first full varsity year. When Waddles plays the point, he gets others involved more times than not. The combination of his shooting ability mixed with his handle will help him evolve into more than just an all city honorable mention player. I see a couple of all state selections before his time done in with the Flyers.
Nick Maryland Nick Maryland 6'2" | CG Simsboro | 2022 State LA / 6’1″ / Simsboro / PH #27
Playing with two first team, all state seniors, Maryland hardly was one to initiate offense for the TIgers. However, at the end of the season, Maryland was more assertive as a player. He is always aggressive playing off the ball and drives to the cup with reckless abandon. Maryland used his driving game to his advantage and began to make the transition into a willing passer when he broke the defense down. Going into next year, look for Maryland to be able to do both as Simsboro reloads for another title shot.
These combo guards will be some of the best players in the state when they reach their seniro season. A couple of these guys may be the most outstanding player in their perspective districts. We will see how their game has matured when they return to the gym for next season.