It comes as no surprise that the teams with the worst records (and therefore the highest draft picks) in the NBA often look towards the PG position to help improve their team through the draft. These teams usually suffer from poor leadership, team cohesiveness, ability to control tempo and the unselfish play that goes hand in hand with losing and stat-padding. The point guard position is very often called the most important in basketball, and for good reason. What is alarming is the fact that the majority of the teams with the worst records in the NBA this year are once again teams that are clearly lacking a confident playmaker that is capable of making teammates better. Atlanta, New York, Toronto, Boston, Orlando, Houston, Washington, Sacramento, Seattle and the Lakers are ten teams that all look like early candidates for the lottery this upcoming draft, and all (except the Knicks who traded their pick away) will at least be considering drafting a point guard to help fix one of their major weaknesses.
The only problem is, very few point guards have stepped up to the plate to establish themselves so far as clear lottery prospects. So with the NCAA season entering the in-conference portion of their schedules, we take a look at how ten point guard prospects have fared so far, while examining what they will be expected to show in the next three months to up their stock.
Randy Foye, 6-4, senior, Villanova
20.7 points, 6.1 rebs, 3.9 assists, 2.3 turnovers, 1.3 steals, 48% FG, 41% 3P, 1.7 ass/to ratio
Being the best player on possibly the best team in the country, getting attention from NBA scouts is not going to be difficult. Foye has been the catalyst behind his teams undefeated record and excellent victories over previously ranked top-10 teams such as Oklahoma and Louisville.
Playing the point guard position a lot more than weve been accustomed to seeing him doing in the past, Foye has racked up the best numbers of any player on this list almost across the board. And although he is still a combo guard-type, his assist to turnover ratio is 2nd best on this list.
Despite being from Newark, New Jersey, it wouldn't be a stretch to say that Foye epitomizes your typical New York City point guard. He is tough as nails, fearless going to the rim, a good ball-hander, excellent defender and superb finisher in the toughest of situations. You would think that playing a 4-guard offense would hurt Villanovas rebounding numbers, but they still crash the boards at an above-average rate. Foye is a big reason why with a solid 6+ rebounds per game.
In terms of his point guard skills, he has shown vast improvement this year but still has room to grow. He is excellent at creating his own shot and finding teammates off the dribble, but can struggle at times with his decision making in half-court sets. He projects as more of a sparkplug type to bring off the bench and put up points with the second unit, as hes a bit of a streaky shooter and scorer who can erupt for huge offensive outbursts and then disappear for stretches. His first step is not off the charts, but he changes gears wonderfully and overpowers defenders on his way to the basket thanks to his strength and heart.
Foye will be under the microscope from here on out in every game he plays in the Big East conference. Leading his team to the final four combined with the weak all-around point guard class could see him land in the lottery when its all said and done.