The Ultimate HS Floor General

We’ve constructed him here.

by Nolan Shulman

For decades, collegiate coaches have scoured the nation’s high school gyms looking for a point guard that can run their system.  Some coaches put their emphasis on quickness.  Some patience.  Every offensive scheme is suited for a different offensive skill set.  What if there was one guy who had it all? An Anomaly! A recruit who could penetrate the lane at will, shoot a team out of a zone and will his team to victory.

Look no further, SLAM’s built it!!!

Taking the one aspect from each of the following point guards which makes them special, we’ve built the “Ultimate” Floor General.

Ball Handling:

Trevor Releford, Bishop Miege (Shawnee Mission, KS): Armed with blazing speed and a killer crossover, nobody in the country can keep Releford in front of them.  Try to pick his pocket…  not happening. You’re more likely to be picking yourself up off the ground.  While some coaches are forced to draw up a scheme to break defensive pressure, having Releford means there’s no scheme required. 

Court Vision:

Ray McCallum, Detroit Country Day (Beverly Hills, MI): When you’re playing with Ray Mac, one thing is certain: You better have your head on a swivel.  Whether you’re attacking in the open court, or slowing it down in a half court set, Ray is more than capable of threading the needle.  As the son of a coach, his best attribute might not be his passing skills, it’s his desire to use them.

Jump Shot:

Trevor Cooney, Sanford School (Hockessin, DE): More of a combo guard than a true lead man, Cooney has a chance to have a similar impact on the college game as JJ Redick and Gerry McNamara.  The country’s best shooter can knock it down off the curl, the dribble or with his feet set.  Simply put, he’s a one man zone buster.

Quickness:

Ahmad Starks, Whitney Young Magnet (Chicago, Illinois): You won’t find a faster player in the country from end to end than Ahmad Starks. What he lacks in size, he more than makes up for in speed.  The 5-8 guard with ties to the president, (committed to play for the First Brother-in-Law at Oregon State) will literally run you right out of the gym.

Ability to Change Speeds:

Marquis Teague, Pike HS (Indianapolis, IN): It’s one thing to possess blazing speed.  Using that quickness to score easy points in transition requires a completely different skill set. Teague is fast, there’s no one out there disputing that fact.  What separates him from the other sought after guards in the class of 2011 is his ability to lull his defender to sleep, then explode to the basket for an easy deuce.

Defense:

Cory Joseph, Findlay Prep (Henderson, NV): If defense really does win championships, Cory should be getting a lot more credit from recruiting analysts.  This lockdown defender was instrumental in helping lead Findlay Prep to the National Championship last season. He’s also helped Grassroots Canada establish themselves as one of the elite AAU clubs in the world over the past two summers. How? Cory gets in your grill, has very quick feet, and doesn’t let up until his opponent gives up.

Leadership:

Phil Pressey, Episcopal School Of Dallas (Dallas, TX): When you see Pressey interact in a gym full of blue chip athletes, it makes you wonder two things: One is whether he drank any milk growing up? (Phil stands barely 5-9);  the other is how this little man can walk into a gym filled with players who are a full foot taller than him and command their respect?!  Phil may be small, but when he huddles up his teammates, trust me, he’s got everyone’s attention.  On the court, he directs traffic, is extremely vocal and makes everyone around him more confident, and thus more successful.

Clutchness:

Joe Jackson, White Station HS (Memphis, TN): Anyone on hand in Vegas for the Adidas Super 64 would agree with this selection.  This kid has ice in his veins and loves having the ball in his hands during crunch time.  Now I know what you’re thinking: What big time player doesn’t want to take the big shot? It’s one thing to crave the spotlight, but it’s a whole different animal trying to earn it.

Competitiveness:

Gary Franklin Jr., Mater Dei (Santa Ana, CA): After losing the feeling in his arm playing football, and being told by doctors he would never play circuit or high school ball again, Gary practiced with one arm for three years and fought his way back.  A winner both on the court and off the court, Gary is determined to succeed no matter how hard he has to work.  His love for the game burns deep, and it certainly shows out on the hardwood.

Intensity:

Myck Kabongo, St.Benedict Prep (Newark, NJ): Ready to compete and scrap at all times, Kabongo seemingly never turns down the heat.  The engine of Grassroots Canada Elite only has one gear: He plays hard and he plays mean.  Myck is always in attack mode on both ends of the court, and his desire and toughness rub off on everyone around him.  If Steve Nash is the current face of Canadian point guards, this kid is the future.

Body:

Brandon Knight, Pine Crest School (Ft.Lauderdale, FL): At 6-3, Knight is never going to be tabbed the next Penny Hardaway or Magic Johnson. But with lead guards seemingly getting smaller and smaller, Knight has a body that allows him to play both strong and fast.  He’s quick with the ball, finishes at the rim regardless of contact and never gets tired or breaks down. Bottom line: You can’t construct the Ultimate Floor General without including Brandon Knight.

If a player with the listed combination of skills and intangibles ever shows up on the scene, just know, he could play in any system.

Nolan Shulman is the North American Recruiting Analyst for Flagrant Fouls. He provides an in-depth look at standout prospects and programs from Toronto to California. 

Flagrant Fouls watches  and evaluates prospects from the earliest point of their basketball development. We scout them in High School, follow them throughout the draft process as collegians, then project their output on the professional level.