The last "Great", okay well "Full of Potential", class of PG's in my opinion was the 2004 class which currently has 8 guys on NBA Rosters, with more to come. Here's the top guys from that class in my opinion:
Shawn Livingston, LA Clippers
Daniel Gibson, Cleveland Cavaliers
Rajon Rondo, Boston Celtics
Kyle Lowry, Memphis Grizzlies
Jordan Farmar, LA Lakers
Sebastian Telfair, Minnesota Timberwolves
Gabe Pruitt, Boston Celtics
Darius Washington, San Antonio Spurs
Drew Nietzel, Michigan State
Ronald Steele, Alabama
Derrick Lowe, Washington State
AJ Price, Univ of Connecticut
As you can tell, 2004 had all kinds of star power, as well as blue collar PG's who flat out get the job done. The 2009 Class in my opinion has a chance to come close to comparing to the 2004 class, based on size, athleticism, skill, and potential.
The players at the top of 2009 class overall (1-5) may all play a different a position other than PG;
Derrick Favors, 6'9" PF (South Atlanta HS) Atlanta, GA
Renardo Sidney, 6'10" PF (Fairfax HS) Los Angeles, CA
Lance Stephenson, 6'5" SG (Lincoln HS) Brooklyn, NY
Kenny Boynton, 6'2" SG (American Heritage) Plantation, FL
Xavier Henry, 6'6" WF (Putnam City HS) Oklahoma City, OK
But the Point Guard position is easily the deepest from my point of view. All of the kids I will focus on have a chance to be immediate impact players as soon as they hit the hardwood collegiately, for whatever program they choose. And I expect to see a handful of them earning a good check some day. Check them out and be the judge for yourself. This coming spring/summer will be their last summer on the "Circuit" so be on the lookout for some Battles!
I asked a few of them a couple questions trying to see what they think of their competition at their position, and their responses are below...
Mfon Udofia, 6'3" PG (Miller Grove HS) Stone Mountain, GA
Mfon Udofia is the defensive stalwart of the bunch. He takes every game he plays as a personal battle, and has all the tools to develop into one of the best PG's to come out of the state of Georgia in a while. He's got the size, strength, athleticism, and tenacity on the court to make college coaches highlight his name immediately.
"Well the class of 09 has a lot of point guards from the east coast, west coast, and the south, but I feel like I'm the best PG in our class. That's why we have to go at eachother every time we step on the court, and that's why I'm going at the rest of these guys Hard. Me and Lorenzo Brown go at it all the time, that's why every time we step on the court we go at eachother, whether it's a practice game, real game, open gym, or 3 on 3. It don't matter"
Lorenzo Brown, 6'4" PG (Centennial HS) Alpharetta, GA
Lorenzo is that laid back kinda player who suprises you with his hesitation, midrange game, vision, and sneaky athleticism. He's tall, long, bouncy, and despite his traits he is a pure PG. Some say he's not aggressive enough, but one look at him and you see a future pro. He gets wherever he wants to on the floor, and also gets the best out of his teammates which is evident by him carrying his HS team to a 1 pt loss to Norcross (Gani Lawal, Al Farouq Aminu, Tony Neysmith, Jordan Demercy) in the state championship last year.
"I think we got some really good comp in our class 'Zo. I really wanna play against John Wall cause a lot of people think he's the top PG in our class, I wanna see if he really what everybody says he is. So far I'd have to say that Mfon Udofia has been my toughest competition. We play eachother all the time, and have been goin at it since we were young"
John Wall, 6'3" PG (Word of God) Raliegh, NC
J-Wall is the speedster of the bunch. He is the epitome of fast, and plays at only 1 speed... Fast Forward. He blew up last year at Rbk U and has carried that momentum with him from that week on. He is on every major college's watch list. His speed and athleticism to go along with his physical traits (Tall and Long) make him one of the best PG's in his class, and have many calling him the Best.
"They're a lot of good PG's in our class, but I feel like I'm the best in the class. We're all gonna put on a big show when we match up. Best of luck to all the PG's in 09, let's put on a show for our last summer!"
Peyton Siva, 5'11" PG (Franklin HS) Seattle, WA
Pey Pey is the jumping jack of the bunch. He hails from Franklin HS, the same program that developed Jason Terry and Aaron Brooks, and he appears to be the next in a long line of great PG's from the Seattle area. He's as quick as they come, has a very reliable jumper, to go along with excellent vision, and a lot of flash. He's a crowd favorite everywhere he plays, and that will without a doubt carry on into college, and beyond.
"Man this class is Hella deep... All the top PG's I've seen and played against all brought something different to the table. Elijah Johnson, Abdul Gaddy, and Maalik Wayns all brought their heart to the game, and that competitive spirit to the game when I played them. I see all players "Ranked" ahead of me as my competition, but I'm ahead for all of them them and keep goin at them every time I play them. As for my toughest comp, I'd say so far it has to be Elijah and Abdul. I played Maalik, but he didn't really get to play because he got hurt early. EJ is strong and has that go at you mentality on the court, and Abdul he's just so damn smooth and long."
Abdul Gaddy, 6'3" PG (Bellarmine Prep) Tacoma, WA
Gaddy is another one of the kids who used the last spring/summer on the circuit to make Everyone remember his name. Simply put, he BLEW UP! He's a True Pure PG, and is as smooth as they come. His jumper demands respect, and his handle and vision allow him the ability to create for himself and his team whenever he sees fit. He's already committed to "PG Univ" aka Arizona, and will immediately ready to take the reigns from Brandon Jennings when after he departs for "The League".
"The top PG's in our class are all very good. There is a lot of competition out there for that top spot. Everyone is hungry and wants to be the best, and I think that's what makes our class of PG's so Filthy. Every day you have to work hard and get better or someone will take your spot. I think my top comp at the PG spot right now is Peyton Siva, John Wall, and Dexter Strickland. They all have that quickness and athleticism that helps them a lot. They play hard and just go out there and compete. The toughest PG I've faced so far is Peyton Siva because everytime I play him it's a battle. We are competitors. He's very quick and athletic but I have the size and jumpshot, so it's always a great matchup"
Elijah Johnson, 6'2" PG (Cheyenne HS) Las Vegas, NV
EJ is probably the most explosive player of the bunch, and proves it every time he's on the floor. He can create for himself or for his teammates at will, and is combonation of quickness and athleticism make him a very tough match-up.
"Peyton is my only competition. These websites got me and my boy Peyton messed up! We the best PG's in 2009, the rest of them dudes are just cool"
Maalik Wayns, 6'1" PG (Roman Catholic) Philadelphia, PA
He's your typical PG from the "City of Brotherly Love", bruising, crafty, with excellent vision and enough flash to keep you watching. He's already committed to Villanova, and is the perfect type of guard to come in and take over when Corey Fisher bolts to "The League". He put on a show this summer at RBK U and followed that up with an excellent showing in Las Vegas.
"Right now I'd have to say that Dex is my main competition, but I feel I'm definitely the best PG in this class"
Dexter Strickland, 6'2" PG (St Patrick's) Elizabeth, NJ
He spent the past couple years learning the role of PG from one of 2007's Elite, Corey Fisher, and is ready to take the reigns at St. Pat's this year. He proved all summer long that he is among the elite at his position, and capped off his outstanding spring/summer on the circuit with his 2nd consecutive invitation to participate at the Elite 24 where he did his usual thing.
Darius Morris, 6'1" PG (Windward School) Los Angeles, CA
Darius has good size and athleticism for his position to go along with a solid handle, good jumper, and excellent vision. You can take one look at him with his long arms and baby face, and see that he's got all kinds of room to grow into his frame, and possibly add a few more inches. His potential to develop is great, and he'll be a fun one to watch play for years to come.
"The PG class in 09 is real deep. I want say best of luck to all of them, but I faced some of them before and they all are great competition. I feel I'm the best PG and this Summer I'm gonna show EVERYBODY the deal. With my class being deep just lets me know I can never take breaks and must always go hard."
Johnnie Lacy, 5'10" PG (Bay View HS) Milwaulkee, WI
Johnnie is simply put, a hardnosed PG. He has a crafty handle, range on his jumper, and very good athleticism. He helped his 16-U Wisconsin Playground Warriors team to one of the best records across the country last year. He is a menace on defense, and takes it right at the opposition on offense. He's definitely one of the best outta the Midwest, and one of the best in the nation as well. He didn't play much in July, so look for him to wake some of these "Sleepers" up this season and next Spring.
Some other guys who deserve mention as well are:
Junior Cadougan
Tommy Mason-Griffin
Taariq Muhammed
Michael Dixon
GJ Vilarino
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