January 30, 2023
Like me, these hoopers do not let the fact that they are small guards define them, but instead they use it as a weapon. True basketball heads know that size has nothing to do with a player’s ability to lead his team to wins. These five guys are leading their teams to W’s and are my favorite college guards to watch this 2022-23 season. They’re all flat out winners, as you’ll see!
Markquis Nowell, Kansas State (5’8″): Markquis is the #1 point guard in college basketball, PERIOD! All you have to do is watch him play and it is clear that “Mr. New York City” is better than every point guard he plays against, on both ends of the court. Averaging 17pts, 8ast, 3reb, 2.5stl per game, Markquis Nowell has led Kansas State to #1 in the BIG 12 and #5 in NCAA D1 with a 18-3 (6-2) record thus far. The guy dictates the pace of every game, makes his teammates better, disrupts the other team’s entire game plan, and drives opposing guards and coaches crazy. He is the definition of the term floor-general, and proof that “Heart Over Height” is not just a catchphrase us small guards use as motivation.
Darius McGhee, Liberty University (5’9″): Similar to Markquis Nowell, Darius McGhee is “that dude.” So far this season, I have seen him destroy every team Liberty plays. The #16 scorer in NCAA D1 basketball with 20.9ppg (44% FG) has over 2,300 points so far in his college career with the Flames. Darius takes his role as the primary scorer at Liberty very seriously, and you see it in the way he’s always in attack mode. My only issue with Darius McGhee is that he can drop some of the meanest dimes, but doesn’t do it enough, averaging only 2.8 assists per game – which is not enough. But he’s still one of my favorite scoring small guards.
Terrell Burden, Kennesaw State (5’10”): Terrell has been one of my personal favorites since I first went to watch him play at KSU two seasons ago. He’s the clear leader for the Owls this year, and they’re #2 in the ASUN Conference right now because of it. Under Burden’s leadership, the team is on a 7-game winning streak and currently has a 17-6 (9-1) record. The reason I feel he is one of the best small guards in college basketball is that I have personally seen him do so many big things to help the Owls win. Right now, Terrell Burden averages 12.3ppg, 3.7apg, 2.7rpg and 1.6spg.
AJ White, University of North Georgia (5’10”): This is the only Division 2 player on the list, and for good reason! Just a freshman at North Georgia, AJ White has been a lot of fun to watch. He is UNG’s #2 leading scorer and the #11 scorer in the Peach Belt Conference with 13.1ppg (47% FG), despite coming off the bench. But that’s not a shock once you find out that AJ scored 2,460 points in high school. He is lightening fast and very shifty with the ball in his hands, and I’ve watched AJ use those skills to hit big shots for UNG in close games. Thanks to AJ White’s leadership (and his center Frank Champion), North Georgia is currently 14-3 overall (#18 NCAA D2), and 7-2 in the Peach Belt Conference (Ranked #3).
RJ Davis, North Carolina (5’11”): – Since I was a little kid I’ve always loved Tarheels basketball, so naturally RJ Davis would make my list. But it’s not just because I like UNC. He is clearly one of the best PG’s in NCAA basketball, averaging 16pts 5reb 3ast per game in the ACC this season. I have learned a lot about how to run a team by simply watching this guy play. Like former UNC guard Joel Berry, RJ Davis hits big shots and makes others around him better, and his fearless competitive style makes games fun to watch.
