Class of 2018 Position Rankings: Point guards

We’ve brought back the position rankings to basketball and we will reintroduce them this week by ranking the best point guards, shooting guards, small forwards, power forwards and centers in the class of 2018.

Today, we kick things off with the point guards, led by Duke-bound Tre Jones of Apple Valley (Minn.) High. What stands out about the 2018 crop of floor generals as a whole? Who is the best fit for his college destination and who might be getting a bit overlooked? National basketball analysts Eric Bossi and Corey Evans weigh in with their thoughts.

NEW RELEASE: 2018 Point Guard Rankings

MORE RANKINGS: 2018 Team | 2018 Rivals150 | 2019 Rivals150 | 2020 Rivals150

Eric Bossi: “I’m not sure I remember a year where the point guards at the top of the rankings are so closely grouped together. There’s really not a huge difference in ability or talent dropoff between Tre Jones at No. 1 and, say, Georgia Tech-bound Michael DeVoe at No. 13. Kind of hand in hand with that is that there doesn’t appear to be a lot of 2018 point guards who are likely to be one-and-done players. I know none of us saw Trae Young’s emergence into a one-and-done kid coming this time a year ago so there’s always a chance somebody emerges, but for the most part this looks like a group that college fans will get to know well for the next three or four years.”

Corey Evans: “The depth of the position from top to bottom. This class might not be as good as the 2016 class when it comes to surefire NBA prospects such as Lonzo Ball, De’Aaron Fox and Dennis Smith, but take a look the top 10 or 15 point guards and each could make an early name for himself at the college level. The debate remains as to who the best is in the 2018 class; it will be fun to look back in five years to get the clear-cut answer.”

Bossi: “Because of his mentality and the need for an impact point guard in Lawrence next season, Kansas-bound five-star Devon Dotson looks like the best fit to me. Dotson’s take-no-prisoners approach and headstrong attitude will remind Jayhawk fans a lot of Frank Mason. He attacks, he gets to the free throw line and he has some nasty to him. Cal transfer Charlie Moore will be eligible as a sophomore next season and with a year in Bill Self’s system under his belt won’t just be handing the job to Dotson. But if Dotson is the guy we think he is then he’ll be tough to deny.”

Evans: “A number of point guards found the right home for college, but Immanuel Quickley might have discovered the best fit at Kentucky. Built in the mold of prior John Calipari standouts at the lead guard spot, he might not have the blazing speed of John Wall or the elite athleticism of Derrick Rose, but he is a potentially elite weapon on the defensive end and his mastery of the high ball screen is second to none. Placed around a bevy of scorers and offensive weapons, Quickley should shine immediately and not just because of the talent that he exhibits.”

Bossi: “Maybe it’s because we didn’t get to see him as much as other point guards in over the last year and a half because of injury, but I can’t help but think Arizona-bound four-star Brandon Williams has another gear. A creative 6-foot-2 playmaker and scorer, he seems to be everything that Arizona is currently missing in a point guard. Since returning from knee issues, Williams has been putting up ridiculous numbers and looks like he might be undervalued as the No. 10 point guard in the class.”

Evans: “Two years ago, David Duke didn’t have a single scholarship offer. Now, he might have the best upside out of anyone in his 2018 class. While he does have to become a more consistent threat as a scorer, Duke is arguably the top defensive lead guard in his class. His feel and playmaking abilities should be welcomed immediately next season at Providence. Ed Cooley is one of the most underrated at developing talent and making prospects into legitimate NBA ballplayers and Duke might be the next in line for the Friars.”