Potential NBA Draft Role Players: Point Guards

"Steady Back-Ups"
Ray McCallum, Detroit Jr. (6-1¾, 191)
McCallum was a high level recruit out of High School who decided to go to small school Detroit to play for his father. He fits in as a role player because he is very smart, doesn't turn the ball over and knows how to run a team. McCallum can push the tempo and doesn't lack upside either, he registered a 40-inch vertical and can certainly improve his shooting. (just 32% from 3 last season)

Phil Pressey, Missouri Jr. (5-11½, 177)
A pure point guard with tremendous quickness and court vision, Phil Pressey is probably that small and not a good enough shooter or finisher to be a starter. However, he is great at penetrating and finding shooters and should develop into good pick-and-role player. Pressey needs to improve his shooting however and work on cutting down on turnovers.

Matthew Dellavadova, St. Mary's Sr. (6-4, 185)
I don't know if Dellavadova gets drafted, but he should be and could really help a team as a backup point guard. Dellavadova is a 38% career shooter and possible the best pick-and-roll point guard in the draft. His shooting will force team go over screens, which will allow him to get into the lane and find players. Dellavadova is limited athletically, but has a great skill level.

Nate Wolters, South Dakota State Sr. (6-4¾, 196)
Wolters isn't super long or explosive, but he has great size for a point guard, is very smart, and can get to the rim. He is also a good shooter and crafty finisher. Wolters may struggle on the defensive end but his size will help and he can be a solid scorer and distributor of the bench.

"Change of Pace"
Peyton Siva, Louisville Sr. (6-1, 181)
Peyton Siva is the type of player you look at based on what he can do, not what he can't do. Yes, he lack of shooting will likely hold him back, but he is a tremendous defender, extremely quick and athletic (41.5 inch vert) and has great court vision. He can get into the lane with ease and really push the pace in transition. Siva can be a little wild, but has improved in that respect, lowering his turnovers from his year 3 to 4.

B.J. Young, Arkansas So. (6-3½, 179)
After a stellar Freshman season, B.J. Young was viewed as a potential lottery pick. However, after his second season, he's now considered a bubble first rounder in a much weaker draft. The reason for this falls almost fully on his jumpshot, which regressed badly. In every other way, he got better, polishing up the rest of his offensive game and becoming a better point guard. Physically, he is tremendous and can get to the rim at will. Even if the jumpshot never comes back, he can carve out a successful career as a scoring backup.

Pierre Jackson, Baylor Sr. (5-10½, 176)
Nate Robinson's success this season as well as Isaiah Thomas in Sacramento has really opened the door for sub 6-foot guys in the NBA. Jackson is an incredible athlete with quickness and elite leaping ability who can really get into the lane and actually has pretty good court vision. Jackson has a chance to carve out a Robinson-like career, with the upside of a starting point guard like Thomas.

Isaiah Canaan, Murray State Sr. (6-0, 188)
An experienced, skilled scoring guard Isaiah Canaan has been one of the best scorers in the country the last two seasons (20.3 points per game) including good performances against higher level competition than Murray State normally faces. Canaan is quick, fast, and athletic but best of all he is a very good shooter (career 42% 3-point shooter), which will be his calling card in the NBA.

Erick Green, Virginia Tech Sr. (6-3, 178)
Aside from a larger track-record, the question can be raised, what exactly the difference is between Erick Green and C.J. McCollom. They are both very good scoring guards, basically the same size, length while Green may actually be a better athlete.  They've basically shot the 3-ball the same the last two seasons, while Green has had a beter assist to turnover ratio. I'm not saying Green should go ahead of McCollom, but the fact that the question should be raised means Green is worthy of consideration by teams.

Ian Clarke, Belmont Sr. (6-2, 185)
42% career 3-point shooters who are also excellent defenders are rare commodities in the NBA Draft, so though he may be a long-shot to get drafted, there's no reason Ian Clarke can't carve out a career as a backup point guard. Clarke is a terrific athlete and has great length for his size.