Top 10 High School Point Guards of the last 10 Years
Words. Jason Jordan
(Tyreke Evans, photo. Brian Pineda)
We’re not so self-absorbed that we think our Top 10 list is gospel; let’s just say any argument that can be made to tweak this list can be countered masterfully.
Obviously, it’s tough to pick just 10 point guards over the course of a decade, but we decided the criteria would be based solely on what each player did at the high school level. We don’t care about college busts, NBA accolades, or catchy dances — it’s all about what a player did in high school and how dominant he was doing it. Here are the Top 10 high school point guards from 2000 to 2010. Let the debate begin…
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10. BRANDON KNIGHT, Pine Crest (FL), 2010
Knight averaged 32 points, nine rebounds and four assists as a senior and finished his career the second-leading scorer in Florida history. Knight made history as a senior, becoming just the fourth student-athlete to claim back-to-back Gatorade National Player of the Year honors, joining LeBron James, Greg Oden and Candace Parker. One of his most memorable games was against Austin Rivers, the top-ranked prospect in the 2011 class, in which Knight dropped 48 points in the nationally televised shootout on ESPN. He also won two AAU National titles with Team Breakdown.
Where he is now: Freshman at Kentucky
9. RAYMOND FELTON, Latta (SC), 2002
Felton was a legend on the high school scene, posting a career win-loss record of 104-9 and leading Latta to two state titles in the process. Felton set a state record with 2,992 total points, and averaged 31 points, eight rebounds and nine assists per game. In May of 2001 at the Tournament of Champions, his Beach Ball Select AAU team faced a loaded Raleigh Heat squad that included Shavlik Randolph, J.J. Redick, Matt Walsh, Michael Thompson, Eric Williams and Shawan Robinson. Felton scored in every way imaginable to help his team rally from 17 points down to come back and win in overtime. He finished with 45 points and got a standing ovation from the Dean Dome crowd. Even Duke fans stood and clapped. True story.
Where he is now: 6th-year pro, New York Knicks
8. KYRIE IRVING, St. Patrick (NJ), 2010
Slow and steady, Irving took the title from Brandon Knight as the top point guard in the class of 2010 and capped off his senior season with an epic showing at the Jordan Brand Classic at Madison Square Garden, where he won MVP. Irving averaged 26 points, seven assists and six rebounds a game his senior season, despite playing alongside the No. 2 junior in the country, Michael Gilchrist. Irving also led the USA Basketball U18 national team to the gold medal at the FIBA Americas U18 Championship. He averaged 32 points per game at the prestigious Tournament of Champions in May of 2009. Irving masterfully dominated games and had the perfect balance of “wow” factor plays and plays that win games.
Where he is now: Freshman at Duke
7. DERRICK ROSE, Simeon (IL), 2007
Rose averaged 26 points, 10 assists, eight rebounds and 3.4 steals as a senior. During a nationally televised game on ESPN that year against Oak Hill Academy, he went head-to-head with Brandon Jennings and tallied 28 points, nine assists and eight rebounds. Even more impressive, Rose held Jennings scoreless through three quarters before Jennings scored 17 in the fourth, and Simeon won the game.
Where he is now: 3rd-year pro, Chicago Bulls
6. OMAR COOK, Christ the Kings (NY), 2000
Cook burst onto the scene during his first year playing varsity in 1998, when he managed a triple-double in his first game at Madison Square Garden in the Super Six tournament. In his junior year, Cook was playing in the GlaxoSmithKline Holiday Invitational in Raleigh, N.C., against a loaded Mount Zion Academy (N.C.) squad. In triple-overtime, Christ the King won the tip-off and gave Cook the ball. Immediately, Mount Zion’s coach screamed for his team to stay back in fear of Cook’s ability to blow past defenders. Cook held the ball for the next four minutes and 45 seconds, laughing and shaking his head. Then with 15 seconds left, he crossed up two defenders and threw a look-away pass to a teammate for an easy lay up. Cook finished with 32 points and 14 assists in the win. As a senior he averaged 20 points, eight assists and six rebounds per game, before taking his game to St. John’s.
Where he is now: Overseas
5. CHRIS PAUL, West Forsyth (NC), 2003
Paul averaged 31 points, 10 assists, six rebounds, and six steals per game as a senior. He also won an AAU national title with the Kappa Magic in 2002, copping MVP of the tournament. His legendary moment came during one now-famous game from his senior season, when shortly after his grandfather had been murdered, Chris decided to honor his grandfather by scoring one point for every year that he lived. When he finally reached 61, Paul intentionally missed a free throw, then took himself out of the game and collapsed in tears in his father’s arms.
Where he is now: 6th-year pro, New Orleans Hornets
4. O.J. MAYO, Huntington (WV), 2007
Mayo got the “Next Big Thing” appointment when he was just 13 years old, but somehow managed to live up to the hype. Before starring at USC for a year, Mayo averaged 28.2 points, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds as a high school senior, winning West Virginia state Player of the Year, EA Sports National Player of the Year, and his third straight All-American nod. In the state championship game, Mayo put up 41 points, 10 boards and 11 dimes.
Where he is now: 3rd-year pro, Memphis Grizzlies
3. TYREKE EVANS, American Christian (PA), 2008
Evans averaged 32.1 points, 8.8 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game his senior year and is the only player on this list to win MVP at the McDonald’s All-American game — tallying 21 points, 10 rebounds and four assists. Evans, who starred at Memphis for a year before turning pro, had already been dubbed “Too Easy” in his hometown of Chester, Pa., before he earned the nickname “Reke Havoc” at New York’s famed Rucker Park for the manner in which he dominated the opposition. Back then, defenders found it impossible to stay in front of Evans, and nothing has changed for the reigning NBA Rookie of the Year.
Where he is now: 2nd-year pro, Sacramento Kings
2. JOHN WALL, Word of God Academy (NC), 2009
Wall is the only player on the list other than Brandon Jennings to reach consensus No. 1 status in his high school class. He averaged 22.1 points, 5.5 assists, 5.2 rebounds and 3.0 steals per game his senior season, and did so in dominating fashion. No player combined the speed and athleticism of Wall, or was more feared. Wall was good for at least a handful of highlights every game and put more defenders on posters than any other player. Once during an AAU tournament prior to his senior year, hecklers were giving Wall a hard time because he was struggling early in the game. Almost immediately, he started to turn it on: dunk here, crossover there, steal there, another dunk here. After yet another dunk, Wall yelled in the direction of the hecklers, “That’s why I’m No. 1!” With that, all trash talk ceased.
Where he is now: NBA rookie, Washington Wizards
1. BRANDON JENNINGS, Oak Hill Academy (VA), 2008
Another consensus No. 1 player in his class, Jennings averaged 33.5 points, 8.0 assists and 5.0 rebounds for a typically loaded Oak Hill squad, setting the school single-season scoring record with 1,312 points. That alone could’ve placed him near the top of this list with all the studs that have come through Oak Hill. But what really set Jennings apart was the way in which he did it; consistently and viciously, often to the point of embarrassment. Jennings could announce before a game that he was going to get 30 points, or 20 assists, then go out and get it done. At the Elite 24 at Rucker Park in 2007, for example, Jennings dropped 19 points and handed out 23 assists, setting an Elite 24 record. He won co-MVP twice at the all-classes event. Capping off his senior year, Jennings was named Naismith Prep Player of the Year, Gatorade Player of the Year (in Virginia), Parade National Player of the Year, and EA Sports National Player of the Year. “I think Brandon was the most exciting point guard to play during that time period,” said Oak Hill coach Steve Smith. “His numbers and what he did for the two years he started at Oak Hill were extraordinary!”
Where he is now: 2nd-year pro, Milwaukee Bucks
Honorable Mention: Chris Duhon (Salmen, LA); Cory Joseph (Findlay Prep, NV); Sebastian Telfair (Lincoln, NY); Rajon Rondo (Oak Hill Academy, VA); Andre Barrett (Rice, NY); Tywon Lawson (Oak Hill Academy, VA); Taliek Brown (St. John’s Prep, NY); Shaun Livingston (Peoria, IL); Marcus Taylor (Waverly, MI); Sherron Collins (Crane, IL), Greg Paulus (Christian Brothers, NY), Mustafa Shakur (Friends Central, PA) and T.J. Ford (Willowridge, TX).
* Follow Jason on Twitter @JayJayESPNDime
* Email Jason at jasonj@dimemag.com
* Follow High School Hoop on Twitter @HighSchoolHoop
U GUYS ARE FUCKIN CRAZY!!!! SEBASTIN TELFAIR NOT IN THE TOP 10 POINT GUARD IN HIGH SCHOOL WTF?!?!?!?!
“Paul averaged 31 points, 10 assists, six rebounds, and six steals per game as a senior.”
This is straight up nasty for a guy barely 6ft tall.
I may be off here but where is the love for IMARI SAWYER, wasnt he in the 2000 class at King HS(Chicago)? Avg something like 30ppg and 11ast. And once threw 30ast in a HS game. Also how the hell is Wall up here when he never had any real comp at pg and when he faced big names he was killed. Maybe its the short memory thing. Nice list otherwise
Hmm I tend to agree with this! Impressed that you’ve got Cook on the list HE DEFINITELY TO BE UP HERE!
Great read J.J!
Corey Fisher is missing from this list as well. 2time NJ player of the year. Which is one of the most competitive leagues out there. A lot of wins & point totals are sketchy. When you play varsity since 8th grade. It usually means your school,team, & comp sucks or just avg. That’s why you see flame outs & many players peak early.
Do you consider Dajuan Wagner a 1 or a 2.
A 2!!!
Some names to throw out there
Telfair: I don’t see how he doesn’t get a mention at all.
DeJaun Wagner: Depends on where you put him. At the 1 or 2
Jon Hargett: The best from Richmond
Rajon Rondo should be on this list! not as honorable mention, but ON THE LIST!
he was a much better high school baller than derek rose, and currently still is in the NBA. stats, along with real life proves me correct!
EDIT this list
Sebastian lower than Brandon Knight? He may not have had an impact in the league but his HS days were that of legend. You should probably read The Jump by Ian O’Connor.
I seen all of these kids play in hs and none packed a crowd or brought more excitement than Sebastian Telfair. He broke Kenny Anderson’s scoring record. You must Be BJ’s marketing team or something. Kyrie Irving had problems with lil Isaiah Morton from St Augustine Prep. Lou Williams lit up Gwinnet County and Monta lit it up too and Dajuan Wagner did stuff in Hs never seen before. How you score over 100pts in a game and not be the 1st jersey play listed on here?
Isiah Morton is nice as well.
Tyreke Evans is a combo guard…should he even count? And if you’re going off high school pg’s then Greg Paulus has to be included along with Telfair and TJ Ford
You know at first I thought you left off Ron Curry in error butif you add him you may as well add in AI b/c neither of them came out in the 2000s. Good list though
young montana, you might be retarded. Telfair had an amazing high school career…ya he sucks now but was nasty in HS.
Your so stupid and ignorant… Were talkin about high school careers and not production at the professional level
Yall are Wildin! You keep talking about a good game here and there but I think the point is what they did over years?
I know for a fact that Telfair wasn’t as good in aau. B Knight accomplished a lot! Sorry id take him over telfair! Jennings and Evans are def top 2! Good list I can’t knock anyone really.
Derrick Rose was WAAAAY better than Rondo in HS! You guys see these guys play once or not at all and go off what you read and you’re hooked. I saw D Rose in AAU and at Simeon and Rondo too, both were beasts, but Rondo wasn’t in the same class at the hs level. Not debatable.
Bassy Telfair is clearly a Top 10pg, no doubt. Maybe he didn’t kill AAU but the NYC school league is way tougher than the schedule faced by, say Tyreke’s club. And if Evans is on here, Wagner should be — he was better! 100 points in a game. 12 in a game with a broken right hand. Period.
if you think bassy’s team faced tougher comp than tyreke’s you’re a retard. tyreke played against the best high schools across the country and they played prep schools. mike beasley, kevin durant, b jennings, nolan smith, loul deng, charlie villanueva, corey fisher, dominic cheek, corey stokes, samardo samuels, lance stephenson… that’s just a few big names tyreke played in high school.
John Wall didn’t even win state his senior year.He could have won but he is the best player in the country why was the game even close . D Rose won two state titles in the city of Chicago. Bassy was on the cover with Lebron nuff said .Ty Lawson is Better than Brandon Knight nuff said .This list is garbarge .How is Bassy not in the Top 5 he was on the Cover with Lebron I repeat
Bassy had his on ESPN movie doc . Irving didn’t have that either did Knight or Rose not Felton ,Jennings,Wall,Evans,Mayo,Paul matter of fact nobody on this list .Telfair had his own show Through The Fire on national TV who had a bigger accomplishment than there own show!!!!!
You guys are clowns! You obviously don’t watch AAU! That’s where you rep is made. I’m from NY and Bassy didn’t face tough comp at Lincoln regularly! And Wagner was a two guard! Dang yall. What does Bassy being on a magazine have to do with him producing? He was overhyped! That’s evident in where he is now! Always thought he was more hype! And a show being the reason??? Justin you’re the biggest CLOWN for that! Sean Dockery had a show too! And???
Bassy was the man in hs but Greg Paulus played ball upstate Ny and they have bums up there! Anytime he played in the city he looked like crap, Talik Brown was ok he just came out at the right time when NY had the Big 3, Him, Omar Cook and Dre Barrett. Will Byunem was nice. Malcom Grant from Robeson was nice as well and Gary Ervin 2!
Sebastian Telfair was so good that he had a movie made for him called Through the Fire. Yet, he is not good enough to make the top 10 prep point guards of all time? Something is terribly wrong with this list
Monta needs to be on this list. He was only the High School player of the year. He’s settling into a shooting guard role now, but that’s no different than Mayo.
J.J. usually you are on point with yours. But when a player breaks any record that was held by Kenny Anderson “Tha god”, you gotta show some respect. Would Lance Stephenson not be on a list of top 10 2 guards? I’m just saying. Ignore the post HS outcome. Bron started the HS on Espn. Bassy put the stamp on it. Why? Forget because he had a show. Because He killed a Sonny’s Camp – and when it was around – it was the only Acronym that mattered during the summer months. AAU who. ABCD was it. Its cool though. A great man once said, “Playas f— up sometimes.” We understand, Big Homey.
WOW no sebastian telfair?!?!? I’m a big time duke fan but kyrie shouldnt even be on this list. Where is marcus Taylor???? Dude held down the number one ranking for four years straight he was a legend in michigan. OJ Mayo should be in front of everyone if your going to include him. He was dubbed the next lebron when he was a freshman. This list is crazy
If we are speeaking about Point Guards and there main job is to distribute and get other players involved i thing the biggest name left of of teh list is OMAR COOK (class of 00) he was the true definition of a PG. I thing it’s incredible that he didnt even make honerable mention. lets not forget Mustafa Shakur.
Most of the player on the list were big time scores in HS, but not great at setting up teammates. IMHO
ok i missed OC wasnt on the list (trying to work an read), still think he should be ranked higher
i know im hella late, but where is the love for jonathon hargett?
dajuan is 1 and should be number 1.telfair is def top ten hands down.a ny legend.darius washington should have been up there and mustafa shakur
New York HSBB = Overated……Telfair got the hype because he was playing in the city Brooklyn at that and Marbury. Never will a Highly touted New York City HSBB player ever be a NBA star again HSBB has trended towards prep schools and away from the city lights.
john wall at number 2 is stupid…he had one great year at word of god. before that he was unkown. maureece rice from philadelphia strawberry mansion should be on here. he broke wilt’s city scoring record and he did that as a 6 foot pg with a weight problem. he also killed bassy when he played him. he was stealing the ball and crossing him over. he dropped a smooth 31 on telfair. when he played lebron he broke his ankles A FEW times and hit 5 straight shots in lebron’s face.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6u0-Pjhokc
btw the video cuts off but he made the shot… i was at the game
[...] better as a pro. This level of a success was expected, however. Back at Latta High School (S.C.), Felton was arguably one of the best prep point guards of all time. The first few minutes of this clip shows Felton putting in work at Latta, showing off more hops [...]
Uhh… Monte Ellis???? I think he hit 72 in a high school game. Hit 42 against Oak Hill when they had Josh Smith(most ever scored against Oak Hill). Hit 42 against South Gwinnett(Lou Williams guarded him). Maybe not top 5 but definitely top 10!