Vantage 2019 Rankings Breakdown: Point Guards (Part 2)
We’ve now had two years of high school and AAU basketball to break down the 2019 class, and things look much different then our first rankings of them two years ago. While rankings are always subject to change, especially with the reclass and transfer rate as it is, almost all of the players have improved whether they dropped or rose in our rankings.
When taking rankings into consideration, the Vantage Hoops team spends about a month contacting coaches and experts across the state to compile the list. There were over 250 kids we considered for the top 100, and the rankings reflect the next level potential of the prospects. Things taken into consideration include upside, high school production, head-to-head matchups, skill set on both sides of the ball and include intangibles such such as how recruitable a kid is based on grades, attitude and how coachable they are.
We will spend the next few weeks breaking down our new rankings from 2018 through 2020. Here’s a look at part two of our 2019 point guard prospects. Enjoy, and stay tuned for more breakdowns moving forward!
Isaiah Moseley | 6’2” | Millwood (#30 Overall)
One of the most physically and athletically gifted guys on this list, Moseley looks the part and should see his recruitment pick up if he can produce at a good level as junior. The Canadian born point guard has a great frame, plays with good burst and can finish around and above the rim and has shown the ability to hit the deep ball off the catch. He’s stuck between being a one and a two, but if he can show the ability to make plays off the bounce and be effective within a system he’ll see his stock rise because of his promise as a defender and his ceiling as a lead guard. He holds an offer from Denver and could see more roll in with a good junior season.
Tim Montgomery | 5’11” | Atlantic Shores/Team Loaded 757 (#32 Overall)
Montgomery had arguably the best summer of anyone on this group, as he led Team Loaded 757 to close to 50 wins and five championships playing in good tournaments across the country. He’s a true point guard with good vision that makes everyone around him better. He’s a much better athlete than many would think looking at him, he gets in the lane at will and is able to finish around the basket and from the midrange. He’s a leader who sets the tone on both ends of the floor, has the kind of dog that separates him from other lead guards and is able to takeover a game when needed but makes everyone around him better as well. He picked up offers from Norfolk State and Middle Tennessee State over the summer.
Levar Allen | 6’0” | John Marshall/Team Loaded VA (#33 Overall)
This will be a big year for Allen whose stock has somewhat cooled after picking up five offers over the summer after his freshman season. A very skilled lead guard who likes to get downhill and attack defenders in the paint using his size, he’s shown the ability to get in the paint and finish around the rim early in his career. He’s very athletic for his frame, one that he needs to sure up moving forward, and he’s an unselfish guy who likes to get his teammates involved and see them succeed as well. He’s a good rebounder at the point guard spot, and if he can show the ability to knock down perimeter shots and get his body right moving forward he could see more colleges jump back on his bandwagon.
Briquan Harrell | 6’0” | Western Branch/BWSL Dip (#35 Overall)
A two sport star that is a walking bucket with the ball in his hands, Harrell has a free education waiting for him in either basketball or football for sure. He’s really quick with the ball in his hands, can score from all three levels and when he gets it going it’s extremely tough to stop him. He has the innate ability to get where he wants to on the court and make shots from all over it. He’s a good on ball defender with great lateral quickness, and a nice frame that allows him to be a strong finisher in the lane. He’s going to score a lot of points again this season for a Western Branch team that should be one of the top programs in 6A South this year.
Ashley James | 6’2” | Green Run/Team Loaded 757 (#38 Overall)
James played much of the summer with Team Loaded 757’s 17U group where he showed what he does best and that’s defend the other team’s best player. He has great size as a lead guard, uses his length to bother ball handlers and has a good feel off the ball where he’s able to jump passing lanes and get steals for easy finishes in transition. He’s lightning quick on both ends of the floor, he’s a great finisher in the lane and he’s a great athlete that can finish above the rim in transition. He has to continue to improve his perimeter shooting but he has the frame and tough mindset that translates well to the next level.
Quentin Morton-Robertson | 5’8” | Radford/Team Winston (#39 Overall)
He doesn’t play at the biggest school and he definitely isn’t the biggest player, but winning two state championships heading into his junior year shows what this kid is capable of doing. Morton-Robertson is lightning quick on both ends of the floor, has a tremendous feel and high IQ and is a true leader that makes everyone else better. He can get in the lane at will and has a great midrange game, can stretch the floor defensively and is one of the top on ball defenders in all of Virginia. One division one coach told me “If he doesn’t grow an inch, I would still recruit him,” showing how talented and effective he is despite his size.