Eric Hampford:
Future150 GM / Senior National Analyst. Covering high and middle school basketball.
Charlottesville, VA (Future150) -- After seeing many of the top prospects in the country last weekend at the NBA Top 100 Camp, it became clear to Future150 staff that the point guard crop at the top of the 2016 class is extremely loaded. It should be very fun watching this group mature over the next two years, as several at the top will jockey back-and-forth with one another for ranking spots. Each of the these guards bring something special to the table in terms of their game, and it's worth noting what each one does well.
The Facilitator: Findlay Prep (NV) prospect Derryck Thornton had as impressive of a camp as anyone with his dazzling court vision and steady play. The 6-foot-2 point capped off his fantastic weekend by earning a scholarship offer from Kentucky. As of right now, he gets the nod as the best PG in the class.
The Scorer: Not many kids are as much to watch as Cypress Lakes (TX) guard De'Aaron Fox. The long and athletic 6-foot-3 scorer can hurt the defense in a variety of ways. The more confidence he gains during the game, the more likely he is to try to put on a show for the fans. He has an electric ability to not only score the ball, but to make the game fun for everyone as well.
The Athlete: While he has been known as an explosive athlete for quite some time now, it looks like Seventh Woods is beginning to hone his true point guard skills. At NBA Camp, he played poised and under control, while showing the ability to finish against contact at the rim and find teammates in excellent positions to score. However, get caught sleeping and he will still put you on a poster with a ferocious dunk.
The Defender: There may not a better on-ball defender in the class than Memphis Bolton (TN) guard Jaylen Fisher. The 6-foot-2 Team Thad product will guard you 94 feet and make life miserable for any offensive specialist. He is also very good when attacking the basket on offense as well.
The Upside: There isn't a guard in this group that has the amount of long term potential that Dennis Smith Jr. has. An explosive athlete at 6-foot-2, he also has outstanding court vision and has the ability to score the ball as well, whether he is shooting or penetrating. His latest offer came from the University of North Carolina.
The Shooter: No point guard in the class has shown the ability to shoot the basketball quite like West Linn (OR) product Payton Pritchard. Not only can he catch fire from anywhere on the floor with his perimeter prowess, but he also may have the highest IQ of any of the PG's in this group. Fantastic leader on the floor.
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