SoCal’s Top Point Guards Regardless of Class (I)
Over the last few months, the SoCal staff has updated its class rankings and provided tons of in-depth coverage on each of those lists. Now it’s time we combine all of the classes to come up with master list of…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingOver the last few months, the SoCal staff has updated its class rankings and provided tons of in-depth coverage on each of those lists. Now it’s time we combine all of the classes to come up with master list of the regions prospects regardless of class. In this piece we take a look at the best point guards in SoCal across the 2021, 2022 and 2023 classes.
1. Dylan Andrews Dylan Andrews 6'3" | PG AZ Compass Prep | 2022 State #23 Nation AZ , 2022, Windward – Andrews is one of the more polished ball handlers, shot creators and decision-makers on the west coast. His leadership and all-around play helped Windward win the CIF Southern Section Division 1 championship and his ability to impact every aspect of the game gives him the nod for the top spot.
2. Tajavis Miller, 2022, Servite – Miller might be a surprise pick here to some, but the Friars’ sophomore, simply put, is really good at basketball. The physical downhill scorer uses his strong frame and broad shoulders to absorb and finish through contact in the paint. Where Miller makes his most important impact is with his basketball IQ on both ends of the floor.
Servite point guard [player_tooltip player_id="748762" first="Tajavis" last="Miller"] showed both growth and upside during his sophomore campaign.3. Brenton Knapper Brenton Knapper 6'0" | PG Colony | 2021 State #136 Nation CA-S , 2021, Colony – Knapper is an explosive transition athlete, finisher and shot creator, but it all starts on the defensive end for him. His quick hands, physicality and aggressive mindset allow him to be a ball-hawking perimeter defender who disrupts ball handlers and passing lanes. Knapper’s ability to create turnovers and turn those into quick buckets on the other end is why he’s such an effective high school point guard. Knapper is committed to Santa Clara.
4. Mike Price, 2023, Crespi – Price, despite being a freshman, has an advanced feel for the game and the position. It’s rare to see a prospect his age operate high ball-screens the way he does with pace, vision and IQ when turning the corner to get downhill and into the paint or recognizing the defense going under and punishing them with a triple. Price has plenty other redeeming qualities to his game, but we’ll save those for when we drop our 2023 watchlist.
5. Chris Howell Chris Howell 6'6" | PG Torrey Pines | 2021 State #205 Nation CA-S , 2021, Torrey Pines – As we’ve noted before, there’s no better passer in SoCal high school hoops than Howell. The 6-7 junior sees the game two or three steps ahead of his opponent and his unselfishness and willingness to get off the ball exposes any weak spot in the opposing defense. Howell’s size and smarts also make him a very good rebounder and defender.