A couple of notes: the asterisk(*) denotes a player also in the shooting guard ranking. The age listed is that of the player on the night of the 2016 draft. The measurements are what their colleges list them as. This ranking is as point guards, so while I might think Jamal Murray is a better prospect overall than Kris Dunn, he doesn't project as well to the point guard position, in my opinion, and Dunn does. Same with Demetrius Jackson and Malik Newman.
01. Kris Dunn, Providence (6-4, 220) Age: 22
Dunn is he best player in college basketball this season and should have a monster year. There isn't quite a lot that he cannot do on the court, he is explosive in transition, super-aggressive getting penetration, has pure point guard passing ability, can shoot 3s, has great size and length, is a good defender and great at stealing the ball. His age and a past of injury concerns are the only drawbacks to his game. Sit back and enjoy his last year in college and prepare yourself for him to bring his explosive style of play to the NBA.
02. Jamal Murray, Kentucky (6-5, 207) Age: 19*
No one had a bigger summer than Jamal Murray, breaking out at the Hoops Summit and Pan Am games playing for Canada an then reclassifying to the class of 2015 and heading to Kentucky. Murray is a score first player with the size to play either guard spot, he ultimately is probably better suited to playing off the ball because he is such a good scorer/shooter and might not quite have the athletic ability to stick with quicker point guards. Murray's crafty, skillful scoring and ability to get super-hot from deep should be a pleasure to watch, but keep an eye on his decision-making and defense to get an idea what position he ultimately might be best suited for in the NBA.
03. Demetrius Jackson, Notre Dame (6-1, 198) Age: 21
Jackson played last season off the ball next to Jerian Grant but this year, with Grant off to the NBA he will take the reigns as the lead guard for the Irish, his natural position. Jackson is the second best "pure" point guard prospect going into the season and he really doesn't have many holes to his game aside from somewhat less than ideal physical attributes. If he can flourish in an expanded role with the ball in his hands this season, Jackson could cement himself as a possible lottery pick.
04. Malik Newman, Mississippi State (6-3, 190) Age: 19*
Newman is a rare top-10 recruit to choose to Mississippi State, now under new head coach Ben Howland. Newman is a score first type of guard that may be better suited to a become a C.J. McCollum-like off-guard next to a more traditional point guard so he is free to look for his own shot while also making plays for others at times though he is a great athlete, Newman isn't particularly long and may be no taller than 6-4 so he'll need to shot he is able to guard bigger players if he wants to be considered a starting level player. Newman is awesome at getting to the rim and scores in a variety of ways; he isn't a traditional passer but can find teammates off of the disruption his attacking play creates.
Jackson played last season off the ball next to Jerian Grant but this year, with Grant off to the NBA he will take the reigns as the lead guard for the Irish, his natural position. Jackson is the second best "pure" point guard prospect going into the season and he really doesn't have many holes to his game aside from somewhat less than ideal physical attributes. If he can flourish in an expanded role with the ball in his hands this season, Jackson could cement himself as a possible lottery pick.
04. Malik Newman, Mississippi State (6-3, 190) Age: 19*
Newman is a rare top-10 recruit to choose to Mississippi State, now under new head coach Ben Howland. Newman is a score first type of guard that may be better suited to a become a C.J. McCollum-like off-guard next to a more traditional point guard so he is free to look for his own shot while also making plays for others at times though he is a great athlete, Newman isn't particularly long and may be no taller than 6-4 so he'll need to shot he is able to guard bigger players if he wants to be considered a starting level player. Newman is awesome at getting to the rim and scores in a variety of ways; he isn't a traditional passer but can find teammates off of the disruption his attacking play creates.
05. Isaiah Briscoe, Kentucky (6-3, 202) Age: 20*
Briscoe is definitely scorer first, and like Newman he might have to play off the ball if his point guard skills aren't up to snuff. Briscoe needs to improve his outside shooting and show he can be an efficient scorer and solid defensive player, especially when checking bigger players off the ball in order to be considered for the lottery. He isn't super athletic but has long 6-8+ wingspan and is skilled, crafty, and smooth particularly getting to the rim and finishing.
Briscoe is definitely scorer first, and like Newman he might have to play off the ball if his point guard skills aren't up to snuff. Briscoe needs to improve his outside shooting and show he can be an efficient scorer and solid defensive player, especially when checking bigger players off the ball in order to be considered for the lottery. He isn't super athletic but has long 6-8+ wingspan and is skilled, crafty, and smooth particularly getting to the rim and finishing.
06. Jalen Brunson, Villanova (6-3, 199) Age: 19
A higher regarded recruit than Villanova usually lands, Jalen Brunson will be inserted directly into a big role on a top ten team and he has the skills to run with it, but will also have some pressure on him to produce. Brunson has nice size for the position, knows how to change speeds and get to the basket, is excellent in the pick-and-roll and shoots the ball well. He is similar to Tyus Jones last season as a polished point guard, however he also lacks top-end athletic ability and length to be a truly devastating offensive player but is good enough in that area to project as an average or better starter because he does so much else well.
A higher regarded recruit than Villanova usually lands, Jalen Brunson will be inserted directly into a big role on a top ten team and he has the skills to run with it, but will also have some pressure on him to produce. Brunson has nice size for the position, knows how to change speeds and get to the basket, is excellent in the pick-and-roll and shoots the ball well. He is similar to Tyus Jones last season as a polished point guard, however he also lacks top-end athletic ability and length to be a truly devastating offensive player but is good enough in that area to project as an average or better starter because he does so much else well.
07. Monte Morris, Iowa State (6-2, 170) Age: 20
After a promising but mostly unremarkable Freshman season, Monte Morris broke out as a Sophomore leading Iowa State's fast-paced offense; if he can take another step forward he'll really cement himself on NBA radars as a potential first-round pick. Offensively he is a well-rounded point guard that has shot 40% from 3 so far in his career with a sparkling 4.7 assist-to-turnover ratio despite playing in an uptempo offense. To take that next step, he needs to start shoot more 3s while maintaining the same percentage, continue to develop his driving and finishing ability in the half-court, and become a more consistent defensive player. Continued physical development will also help.
After a promising but mostly unremarkable Freshman season, Monte Morris broke out as a Sophomore leading Iowa State's fast-paced offense; if he can take another step forward he'll really cement himself on NBA radars as a potential first-round pick. Offensively he is a well-rounded point guard that has shot 40% from 3 so far in his career with a sparkling 4.7 assist-to-turnover ratio despite playing in an uptempo offense. To take that next step, he needs to start shoot more 3s while maintaining the same percentage, continue to develop his driving and finishing ability in the half-court, and become a more consistent defensive player. Continued physical development will also help.
08. Melo Trimble, Maryland (6-3, 185) Age: 21
Trimble had an excellent Freshman season and looks to carry that forward on a top five ranked Maryland team with a lot of scoring options. Trimble is much more of a scorer, ceding main point guard duties to Dez Wells last season, but this season Wells is gone and Trimble will have the opportunity to show he is more than just a scorer. Even if not, he might have a future in the NBA as an off-the-bench scoring guard because he is such an efficient offensive player that shot 40%+ from three and got to the line 6+ times a game, the two most efficient ways to score in basketball.
Trimble had an excellent Freshman season and looks to carry that forward on a top five ranked Maryland team with a lot of scoring options. Trimble is much more of a scorer, ceding main point guard duties to Dez Wells last season, but this season Wells is gone and Trimble will have the opportunity to show he is more than just a scorer. Even if not, he might have a future in the NBA as an off-the-bench scoring guard because he is such an efficient offensive player that shot 40%+ from three and got to the line 6+ times a game, the two most efficient ways to score in basketball.
09. Tyrone Wallace, California (6-5, 205) Age: 22*
Wallace eschewed becoming potentially a late first-round pick to return to a loaded California team, with top recruits incoming. He doesn't really have a challenger at point guard so he'll get all the minutes he can handle an put up big numbers, scoring, rebounding, and setting up teammates. His actually on court game is a little bit more dicey, he needs to show a consistent jumpshot and prove he is an efficient playmaker that actually makes a positive influence on games and not just an empty stat guy who steals rebounds and stalls offense. With such a talented team around him, he'll have an opportunity to show he can lead a productive offense. Wallace does have the size to profile as an off-guard in the NBA, if his shooting comes around of course.
Wallace eschewed becoming potentially a late first-round pick to return to a loaded California team, with top recruits incoming. He doesn't really have a challenger at point guard so he'll get all the minutes he can handle an put up big numbers, scoring, rebounding, and setting up teammates. His actually on court game is a little bit more dicey, he needs to show a consistent jumpshot and prove he is an efficient playmaker that actually makes a positive influence on games and not just an empty stat guy who steals rebounds and stalls offense. With such a talented team around him, he'll have an opportunity to show he can lead a productive offense. Wallace does have the size to profile as an off-guard in the NBA, if his shooting comes around of course.
10. Derryck Thornton, Duke (6-2, 175) Age: 19
Thornton, a surprise re-classification into the class of 2015, Thornton might be one to file away for the 2017 or 18 draft because he has plenty of ability, but just has a little bit of maturing to do physically and on the court, mainly because he is more of a scorer but doesn't have the body to handle drives to the rim in the NBA yet, but also is more of a pull-up off-the-dribble inside the arc type of shooter at this point. If he gets the minutes this season and shows an improved jumpshot, Thornton could rise quickly in the eyes of NBA teams, but I would be on next year being his year.
Thornton, a surprise re-classification into the class of 2015, Thornton might be one to file away for the 2017 or 18 draft because he has plenty of ability, but just has a little bit of maturing to do physically and on the court, mainly because he is more of a scorer but doesn't have the body to handle drives to the rim in the NBA yet, but also is more of a pull-up off-the-dribble inside the arc type of shooter at this point. If he gets the minutes this season and shows an improved jumpshot, Thornton could rise quickly in the eyes of NBA teams, but I would be on next year being his year.
11. Gary Payton II, Oregon State (6-3, 190) Age: 23*
The son of that Gary Payton, Gary Payton II has surprising upside despite his age, mainly because he is such a good, impactful defensive player; he averaged 3+ steals and over a block a game last season while still being excellent on ball. Offensively, he has a way to go buy has already made strides in that regard. Really, even if he just develops a consistent 35%-ish jumper, he'll be playable in a Patrick Beverly-type of way.
The son of that Gary Payton, Gary Payton II has surprising upside despite his age, mainly because he is such a good, impactful defensive player; he averaged 3+ steals and over a block a game last season while still being excellent on ball. Offensively, he has a way to go buy has already made strides in that regard. Really, even if he just develops a consistent 35%-ish jumper, he'll be playable in a Patrick Beverly-type of way.
12. Tyler Ulis, Kentucky (5-9, 160) Age: 20
Ulis is a pure point guard with a tremendous ability to pressure the ball on defense that can also make outside shots. The problem is, of course, he is tiny and, despite the success of smaller players like Isaiah Thomas and Nate Robinson, those are exception. Ulis definitely could make it in the league, but it will probably be after four years in college, no just two; the risk of going undrafted is just too great.
Ulis is a pure point guard with a tremendous ability to pressure the ball on defense that can also make outside shots. The problem is, of course, he is tiny and, despite the success of smaller players like Isaiah Thomas and Nate Robinson, those are exception. Ulis definitely could make it in the league, but it will probably be after four years in college, no just two; the risk of going undrafted is just too great.
13. George de Paula, Pinheiros (6-6, 194) Age: 20
George de Paula is an enigma, with great size for a point guard and a 7-foot+ wingspan that allows him to be a very disruptive defensive player. The issues are everything else with his game, as de Paula is still learning the position. He pulled his name out of draft last season and will be in the mix as a draft-and-stash prospect in the second round, possibly late first if his shooting and point guard skills come along far enough.
George de Paula is an enigma, with great size for a point guard and a 7-foot+ wingspan that allows him to be a very disruptive defensive player. The issues are everything else with his game, as de Paula is still learning the position. He pulled his name out of draft last season and will be in the mix as a draft-and-stash prospect in the second round, possibly late first if his shooting and point guard skills come along far enough.
14. Ron Baker, Wichita State (6-4, 220) Age: 23*
Baker has been a steady part of the Shockers backcourt for the last couple of seasons, where he plays more of an off-guard role next to Fred VanVleet. However, due to Baker's ballhandling ability and overall heady style of play, it is possible he could make the conversion to point guard, where his size, strength, and shooting ability could become a real asset. A Senior, Baker isn't a high upside prospect, but has a chance to settle in as a solid depth piece in the NBA.
Baker has been a steady part of the Shockers backcourt for the last couple of seasons, where he plays more of an off-guard role next to Fred VanVleet. However, due to Baker's ballhandling ability and overall heady style of play, it is possible he could make the conversion to point guard, where his size, strength, and shooting ability could become a real asset. A Senior, Baker isn't a high upside prospect, but has a chance to settle in as a solid depth piece in the NBA.
15. Isaiah Taylor, Texas (6-1, 170) Age: 21
After a breakout Freshman season, Isaiah Taylor had a down Sophomore year due to both injuries and poor play. More of a scorer than a passer, Taylor makes his living driving to the basket and getting to the line. Unless he develops more of a jumpshot or becomes a better distributor, Taylor is probably too small and skinny to score the way he does in the NBA and not big enough to play as a shooting guard. However, in a more player-friendly system under new coach Shaka Smart, Taylor could flourish.
Follow me on Twitter @double_tech
After a breakout Freshman season, Isaiah Taylor had a down Sophomore year due to both injuries and poor play. More of a scorer than a passer, Taylor makes his living driving to the basket and getting to the line. Unless he develops more of a jumpshot or becomes a better distributor, Taylor is probably too small and skinny to score the way he does in the NBA and not big enough to play as a shooting guard. However, in a more player-friendly system under new coach Shaka Smart, Taylor could flourish.
Follow me on Twitter @double_tech
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