Best JR PGs in West

We continue on with the rankings to the class of 2003, starting with a deep class of point guards, including Ayinde Ubaka, Ryan Appleby, Marcus Williams and a fairly new name that jumps up the list to #2...

Ayinde Ubaka was the best point guard in this class at the end of last summer, and he’s gotten even better since. The knock on him might have been that he didn’t have a great outside jumper, but his shot has vastly improved. He’s the best combo of size and quickness at the point guard position in quite a few years. Mikel Watson wasn’t even among the top ten point guards in our last rankings of juniors, but after seeing him a few times this winter, he jumps up to #2. He, like Ubaka, has size and very good quickness. He’s also an excellent scorer, able to shoot out to 25 feet or fill it up with midrangers and runners in the lane. Ryan Appleby has good size and a great overall feel for the position, with good vision and passing ability. If he gets bigger and stronger, he could get some considerably high-major looks nationwide. Marcus Williams might have the best skills among anyone on this list; he’s a great shooter, has a great handle, and is a great passer, (when he’s not making the pass harder than it is). He’s 4th on the list because he’s not as quick as either Ubaka or Watson, and isn’t as steady as Appleby. If he learns to play under control and set up his teammates more consistently, he could challenge Ubaka for the top of the list. Aaron Brooks has been one of our favorites for two years – fast, quick, good ballhandler and a nice passer. This season he’s honed his skills even more. If he gets physically bigger (he’s pretty slight), he could challenge for higher spots on the list.

1) Ayinde Ubaka, 6-1 Oakland (Calif.) High
2) Mikel Watson, 6-0 San Diego (Calif.) El Camino
3) Ryan Appleby, 6-1 Stanwood (Wash.) High
4) Marcus Williams, 6-2 Los Angeles (Calif.) Crenshaw
5) Aaron Brooks, 5-11 Seattle (Wash.) Franklin
6) Tron Smith, 6-0 Moreno Valley (Calif.) Canyon Springs
7) Khalif Ford, 6-0 Diamond Bar (Calif.) High
8) Shaun Davis, 5-10 San Diego (Calif.) Lincoln Prep
9) Kyle Shiloh, 6-2 Bakersfield (Calif.) Garces
10) Yahosh Bonner, 5-11 Cedar City (Utah) High

Other Junior Point Guards of Note:

Eric Lane, 5-11 Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco
Drew Gibson, 5-10 Los Angeles (Calif.) Dorsey
Rayshawn Reed, 5-11 Inglewood (Calif.) High
John Winston, 6-2, Richmond (Calif.) Salesian
Eric Henkel, 6-3 Missoula (Mont.) Sentinal
Terrence Johnson, 6-0 La Habra (Calif.) Sonora
Kevin "B.J." Bell, 5-7 Los Angeles (Calif.) Fairfax
Terrell Powell, 5-11 Los Angeles Fremont
Kevin Houston, 5-9 Highland (Calif.) San Gorgonio
Jonathan Davis, 5-10 Oxnard (Calif.) High
Weldon Williams, 6-0 Fresno (Calif.) Sunnyside
Jonathan Smith, 5-10 Westchester (Calif.) High
K.D. Rockett, 5-9 San Diego (Calif.) High
Aaron Wolfgram, 6-1 Magna (Utah) Cypress
Robert Locke, 6-0 Santa Monica (Calif.) Crossroads
Steve Miller, 5-10 Salt Lake City (Utah) Brighton
Brian McFadden, 5-11 Lakewood (Calif.) Mayfair
Trevante Nelson, 5-10 Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei
Drew Colen, 5-10 Denver (Col.) Denver East
Jontae Hammond, 6-0 Portland (Ore.) Jefferson
Jared True, 5-11 Salt Lake City (Utah) Jordan
Geno Riley, 6-0, Van Nuys (Calif.) Grant
Iren Anderson, 5-10 Long Beach (Calif.) Milliken
John Shumate, 5-11 Phoenix (Ariz.) Brophy Prep
Jerome Ireland, 5-10 Fresno (Calif.) Edison
Jeremy Jackson, 5-9 Santa Barbara (Calif.) High
Cedric Smith, 5-10 Los Angeles (Calif.) Washington
Darrius Parker 6-0, Oakland (Calif.) High
Mingus Murray, 5-9 Compton (Calif.) Dominguez
Ryan Read, 5-11 San Diego (Calif.) High
Larry Charles, 5-9 Tucson (Ariz.) Santa Rita
Isaiah Freeman, 5-9 Long Beach (Calif.) Poly
John Simon, 6-0 Phoenix (Ariz.) Sunnyslope
Jimmy Goffredo, 5-10 La Crescenta (Calif.) Crescenta Valley
Myron Terrell, 5-10, Los Angeles (Calif.) Washington
Corey Miller, 6-0 Villa Park (Calif.) High
Kirk Wilson, 5-11 Lakewood (Calif.) Artesia
Phillip Heu-Weller, 6-1 Olympia (Wash.) High
Bryan Burrell, 5-11 Ontario (Calif.) High
Deon Simpson, 5-8 Corona (Calif.) Santiago
Johnnie Bryant, 5-11 Oakland (Calif.) Bishop O' Dowd
Austin Paris, 5-11 Modesto (Calif.) Calvary Temple
Jason Heutink 5-11 Nooksack Valley (Wash.) High
Gerald Bryant, 6-0, Gilbert (Ariz.) Mesquite
Carlton Arnwine, 5-11 Moreno Valley (Calif.) Canyon Springs
Tyrell McLauren, 5-11 Lakewood (Calif.) High

For rankings of other players and the west coast senior class go to Prep West Hoops

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