We take a look at some undersized point guards who are big shot maker and play bigger than their size.
Trey Baker (5-9 PG, Mundelein)
Baker is a talented scoring guard that is able to play on or off the ball. He averaged nearly 15 points a game on a very good Mundelein team, taking advantage of open looks on the perimeter or using his dribble penetration to finish amongst the trees. The quick lefty has good lift on his shot, allowing him to pull-up over shot contests. He is a high-IQ decision-maker that moves the ball well within an offense and hounds opposing ball-handlers on the other end. Some players just play with a level of toughness that is infectious to team success. Baker is one of those players.
Zach Derus (5-10 PG, Rockford Lutheran)
After earning All-State honors, Derus showed to be one of the more dynamic guards in his area. His shooting range is what stands out the most, comfortable pulling up from well behind the three-point line. He plays angles well on his drives where he gets the ball up on the backboard quickly to avoid shot blockers. Derus is a scrappy, opportunistic defender that will get in passing lanes to lead to easy offense. Small colleges should have enough of a sample size to begin reaching out to Derus.
Nick Owens (5-7 PG, Curie)
Owens brings energy from the jump. He is a jet with the ball in his hands, breaking down defenses off the dribble throughout games. When out in transition, Owens can throw on-point flashy passes or get all the way to the rim for himself. Owens has a nice perimeter shot that extends to the three-point line. As a playmaker, Owens displays good vision on the move or from a stationary position. He will be one of the top returning guards in the city after a big junior year. Expect colleges looking to add a point guard with some flair to be in touch with Owens.
Jordan Rice (5-9 PG, Rock Island)
I am going to go out on a limb and say Rice is the bounciest 5-foot-9 player in the state. A tremendous athlete, Rice has great body control and balance once he takes flight. He has a shifty handle that works well with his quick first step. Teams struggle to defend Rice because he is a knockdown outside shooter that has no problem hitting threes off the dribble. His form is consistent and efficient, allowing him to get shots off over length. If you over help, he is a good passer with a feel for where his teammates are positioned. Rice plays with that pitbull mentality where he plays like he has something to prove every possession. He was an All-State selection and is one of the most productive floor generals in the state.
Trey Spires (5-9 PG, Clemente)
You won’t find many point guards averaging six rebounds a game, let alone 5-foot-9 ones. Spires was a serious triple-double threat, averaging nearly six assists as well. He whips passes at a moment’s notice, regularly passing guys open. Using his leverage on drives, Spires explodes to the basket and has the ability to make acrobatic finishes. For a player who was consistently producing across the board, Spires hasn’t received a ton of attention. Teams who have played Clemente know how tough of a cover he can be, so it’s a matter of time before colleges start calling.