Top Point Guards from the Battle for Georgia Showcase
- 2020 KD Johnson (Game Elite Black / Southwest DeKalb)
- There aren’t too many guards in the state who are quicker going from baseline to baseline than KD Johnson, and his performance at Battle for Georgia was just another example of that. Fresh off an offer from Seton Hall, this speedster is a bolt of lightning in the open court with good finishing ability. In the half court, he possesses a tight handle in tight spaces and if he gets even one step on a defender, it normally equates to bad news for the defense. His aggressive attacking style and improving jump shot allowed him to pour in 39 points in his quarterfinal matchup. He is a true gamer that likes to get it done on both ends and with two more high school seasons remaining, the high major offers will continue to roll in for him.
- 2020 Eric Gaines (Atlanta Xpress / Lithonia)
- Gaines had a big sophomore campaign with region champion Lithonia HS this past year, and he has carried that confidence into the travel ball season with Atlanta Xpress. I love the length of Gaines as he stands around 6’1” but his arms are what allow him to finish above and around the rim with ease and create havoc on the defensive end with deflections and steals. I was also impressed with his perimeter shooting ability at this showcase as he knocked down several threes in multiple games including the 16U championship. Gaines isn’t afraid to take over games offensively and is someone you can trust to make good plays in critical moments late in games.
- 2020 DJ Wright (Infinite Skillz / Greene County)
- Wright is the smallest guard in this group but that didn’t stop him from a 27-point output in the semifinals for Infinite Skillz. He has a quick first step and is too a blur in transition against any opponent. He’s a guard that can get hot from the perimeter especially if he can play off the ball and be in more catch and shoot situations which is showed knocking down four 3s in that same semifinal game. He’s a ball of energy that effects the game emotionally, which is something you love from a floor general as well. Wright has definitely improved his game from the high school season and if he can finish with more consistency at the rim, he is one that can reel in Division I offers regardless of his size.
- 2019 Javon Tatum (Atlanta Xpress / Grayson)
- Tatum was seemingly all over the place for Atlanta Xpress this weekend. He can handle the ball handling responsibilities with teammate Chase Hunter but can also make an impact off the ball as well. He excels when pushing the ball in transition off his own rebound or quick outlet and made a habit in finding the right teammate to knock down perimeter shots. Tatum can also beat you off the dribble with exceptional change of pace skill to get into the lane, which he put on display late in games for tough and one opportunities. The former Tucker Tiger will be transferring to Class 7A semifinalist Grayson HS to finish his prep campaign and that boost will help the Rams after losing senior point guard and Charleston Southern commit Travis Anderson.
- 2019 Zyrice Scott (Team Georgia Magic / Upson-Lee)
- Scott led the charge for Team Georgia Magic and did so in their only game against eventual Battle for Georgia runner-up Atlanta Xpress. I was most impressed with Scott’s ability to handle pressure and there was a lot of it as the game picked up in a tight bgame all the way through the second half. He doesn’t back down from any competition and being a key player in his high school’s back to back state championship run and current 63 game winning streak, you can sense that moxie from him on the floor. I loved his ability to hang in the air on contested mid-range shots off the dribble and he too made impressive moves to the basketball with both hands in the half court. He is a good free throw and he gets to the line often and did a good job of simply running the show and getting teammates involved within the offense as well. Playing the point guard position can be difficult but when you’re able to make simple plays against good competition on a consistent basis, it makes for quality offense and that’s what Scott brings to the table.