All good teams have a great point guard…at least that’s how it used to be. Some still do but does the traditional point guard position still exist? I would say yes, but it’s not common practice anymore. Traditional point guard? You know, the player your dad drools about. Pass first, Mr. Fundamental, the leader, the hustler. The position has evolved over the decades and we’re in a totally new era regarding point guards. 

In the late 90’s into the 2000’s it was Sue Bird, Jason Kidd, we still had John Stockton. Pass first, never take a bad shot, pounding straight dribbles. Then came “The Answer”. Allen Iverson changed the position, basically forever. Score first, ball in his hands, flashy, athletic. Steve Nash. Pass first, incredible vision, 50/40/90 splits, in my opinion the best male transition point guard of all time. Why only male? Courtney Vandersloot, but we’ll get to her. Steph Curry changed the game forever, not limited to point guards, the game….forever. Score first guard, can’t dare to go under a ball screen, shoot it from deep, creative finishes at the rim, score for us and if you can’t, find an open shooter or the big in the dunker spot.

In my opinion, Courtney Vandersloot is the best college point guard ever. My definition of point guard may be different than others but her ability to make her teammates better, play fast and her passing ability is top notch. Sue Bird was a winner, a leader and a point guard with Steve Nash like splits. Sabrina took it to another level. Playing for the same head coach as Vandersloot, Sabrina was a magician in the ball screen. She could pass like Vandersloot, lead and command like Bird, shoot it with Nash like numbers and rebound like Westbrook. The Queen of the triple double, no college player tallied more. 

What about this year? The Sweet 16 is upon us and all great teams need a great point guard. Who’s the best point guard left? I guess it really depends on what you consider a point guard. To me, when you look at the numbers, a point guard should have a good number of assists per game, at least 5. Their assist/turnover ratio should be +1.5 at minimum, +2 is ideal. I need a PG with great shooting percentages, especially from the FT line. Nash is the highest of standards.

Which point guard would you take from this group? Yes, everyone would take Caitlin Clark. Is she a point guard? She’s basically Sabrina Ionescu with Steph Curry tendencies. Maybe this is the new point guard. Best player, best scorer, best playmaker.

For me, Player 3 is enticing, but I would need more scoring and her FT% scares me. Player 1 really fills it up but I’m looking for the best point guard, not the best player. Her 3FG% could be better but she rebounds and gives my team 5 extra possessions a game with steals. Player 6 would be my pick if I was building a team and taking a point guard. Shoots it well from 3, doesn’t turn it over, almost 6 assists per game. I still have some old school in me though. I think most people would and probably should take Player 1. 

The point guard may have a different meaning now and maybe that is a good thing. Teams want to score, ball screens have become super popular in today’s offense so the person with the ball better be able to score. Shooting is as important as anything else so your point guard better be able to shoot. The overall skill of players now is off the charts, therefore your point guard better be able to play off the ball. The point guard position may be changing but it isn’t going away. The position is getting better, it’s evolving and the women’s game is filled with great point guards. With the Sweet 16 games coming you’ll get a chance to see some of the best. Some you may know and some you may not. One of them has a chance to be one of the greats…