’23 Rankings Analysis: Top 5 Point Guards
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I wanted to dive into the talented group of point guards in the region. In my opinion, you have to grade point guards on a different scale than any position, mainly due to their size. Big, versatile wings are very…
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Continue ReadingI wanted to dive into the talented group of point guards in the region. In my opinion, you have to grade point guards on a different scale than any position, mainly due to their size. Big, versatile wings are very valuable in basketball; they have the ability to impact the game at the highest level on both sides of the ball. Point guards (unless they are tall for the position) cannot do that on the level a 6’1’’-6’2’’ wing can, so it is unfair to rank them amongst their contemporaries in that regard. Where a point guard ranks positionally provide better context to how good they are and the level they impact the game under the guidelines of how they facilitate and lead a team as a floor general. Here are the top 5 point guards from the class of 2023:
#5: Yirsy Queliz Yirsy Queliz 5'5" | PG St Mary's | 2023 New E – St Mary’s (Lynn)/ MCW Starz – 5’5’’
Queliz is the best on-ball defender from the point guard position. She is vicious when in her stance and is one of the only players I trust to pick up the ball handler full court and stay in front of them. Queliz forces many turnovers and plays aggressively, and is everything you want from your point guard defensively. On offense, she is a great shooter who has three-point range and attacks the rim vigorously. Therefore, Queliz has the potential to contend for the top spot on the point guard list. Her playmaking ability is not as polished as the higher-ranked floor generals. Still, because of her momentum-changing defense and her game continuing to evolve on the offensive end, she can make a significant jump as the year progresses.
#4: Lucy Palmer Lucy Palmer 5'8" | PG New Hampton | 2023 State New E – Bradford Christian Academy/ Lady Rivals – 5’8’’ (pictured above)
Palmer is a terrific floor general who plays under control and moves the ball well on offense. What I like most about Palmer is her ability to rebound at her position. She is a tough-minded point guard who isn’t afraid to mix it up inside with the bigger forwards and pull boards off the glass. I love how poised Palmer is with the basketball and after the rebound, looks up and pushes the ball down the court. She is a player that does not need to shoot or score a ton to make a significant impact on the team. Although she is a great attacker and has the strength to get by defenders on the perimeter and get to the rim, Palmer prefers to attack to create a scoring opportunity for others. Palmer has top 3 point guard potential because she is an excellent all-around point guard.
#3: Nina Minicozzi Nina Minicozzi 5'9" | CG Rivers | 2023 State New E – Rivers/ MA Huskies – 5’9’’
Minicozzi is similar to Lucy Palmer Lucy Palmer 5'8" | PG New Hampton | 2023 State New E because she is a fantastic rebounder. Another elite all-around player who prides herself on making her teammates better. She is extremely unselfish but also is an aggressive three-level scorer. So strong going to the hoop, Minicozzi will finish above the defense with either hand effortlessly. She is a gifted passer who fits passes through the tiniest windows and is not afraid to thread the needle no matter how tight the defense is. Minicozzi competes at a high level and possesses great leadership intangibles that pop out at you when watching her. She is tenacious on the defensive end, always active and disrupting passes, and is one of the most decorated point guards in the region.
#2: Thai Davis Thai Davis 5'5" | PG Beaver Country Day | 2023 State New E – Beaver Country Day/Bay State Jaguars – 5’5’’
Davis is one of the best shot creators out of the point guards in 2023. It is effortless to create separation and rise up for pull-up jumpers. Her athleticism is elite, and Davis can explode past anyone on the perimeter at will. In transition, she is virtually unstoppable; Davis’s change of speed, direction, and acceleration is on full display, keeping the defense on their heels at all times as she makes her way to the basket or dumps off a pass to her teammates trailing the play. She is a tremendous facilitator in the halfcourt as well. Despite getting her shot off against any defender, Davis shows the willingness to move the ball and not have the offense be stagnant, leading to many possessions ending in high percentage shot attempts for her team.
#1: Sophia Vital Sophia Vital 5'3" | PG Tabor Academy | 2023 State New E – Tabor Academy/Bay State Jaguars – 5’3’’
Vital is undeniably the best point guard in her class. The way Vital can facilitate an offense is second to none. Her greatest strength is her lane penetration. She is so quick and has a low center of gravity that it makes covering her one-on-one extremely challenging. Knifing through the defense with her shiftiness and speed, Vital can either finish at the rim or showcase her brilliant passing. She has the highest IQ of any point guard in the rankings, and Vital always knows where her teammates will be, and times her passes perfectly before delivering them crisp and accurately. Since Vital is always thinking a step or two ahead, she becomes one of the easiest players to coach and play with because you can trust her to make the right decision and put her team in the driver’s seat in every game.
@showtime_sophia 23’ didn’t have the HS season she planned, but she took full advantage of the additional time she had to expand her game! Check out footage of her Nov-Jan! It’s tough to find true PG’s who do it all like she does 🏀💛🖤 @JagsRecruiting https://t.co/i2dtC1VVLg pic.twitter.com/NdEYC7bzsp
— LAURIE BOLLIN (@LaurieBollin) March 8, 2021