Perhaps more so than ever, dominating at the point guard position has become about having more than just passing skills, poise under pressure, and leadership. Now, point guards must have world-class athleticism and scoring ability.
But, as with anything, there’s still room for a throwback, which is just what Kentucky has coming in next season with Isaiah Briscoe.
Name: Isaiah Briscoe
Height: 6’3
Position: Point Guard
Ranking: Five-star, No. 14 overall
Strengths: We spend a lot of time talking about guys’ skill sets, but if you don’t understand the game of basketball from a feel and IQ perspective, there will always be a limit to how much a player can affect the game. Briscoe is a basketball player, plain and simple. Yes, he’s got sick measurables with great height, weight and length–he’s got a 6’9 wingspan–for the position, but it’s how he sees the court, feels the need to change speeds, shifts his weight, and picks his spots that makes him so special. Briscoe is a bulldog, and he understands the ways that he can make winning plays as much, or more, than anyone else in this class.
Areas to Improve: Here’s where the skill set comes into play. Briscoe isn’t a consistent shooter from anywhere on the floor, isn’t a high level skill defender, and doesn’t create his own shot in the paint at a very high level. All of those things will need to be developed, as his lack of high level athleticism will need to be overcome at some point down the road, should he play in the NBA.
