Top Guards Comparison

[MilfordHusky]

After seeing what Shatori Walker-Kimbrough, Rachel Banham, Kelsey Mitchell, and Kelsey Plum have done in recent weeks, I decided to put some stats side by side.

Player Banham K. Mitchell Plum T. Mitchell Walker-Kimbrough Jefferson
School Minnesota OSU Washington S. Carolina Maryland UConn

FG % 0.468 0.463 0.424 0.411 0.564 0.588
3 pt % 0.382 0.395 0.325 0.341 0.573 0.431
FT% 0.853 0.852 0.883 0.827 0.798 0.871
RPG 6.3 2.7 3.5 2.9 5.3 2.5
Assists 88 83 95 60 86 132
TOs 73 71 115 66 92 51
Steals 52 46 40 41 55 70
PPG 26.1 24.6 27.1 16.7 19.7 14.0

Note Moriah's efficiency and her assists, steals, and TOs. She has the ball in her hands a lot, and yet she has the fewest TOs of the group.

I know that Tiffany Mitchell has made some clutch shots this year (and in past years), but I don't know if I put her on the AA team over some of these other guards.

Sorry--the spacing got lost when posting.

 

[bballnut90]

Mitchell isn't an AA this year in my opinion. 14.7 ppg, negative A/TO ratio, mediocre shooting numbers, Wilson has emerged as the team's best player, etc.

Banham, K. Mitchell, Walker-Kimbrough and Jefferson are some of the very best guards in the nation this year. I also think Madison Cable should be included in the mix, she has been a star for ND with some bigs games against top teams (Connecticut, Oregon State, Ohio State, UCLA, etc.) and she has very solid numbers on the season:

13.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.8 steals, 1.4 assists, 1.0 TO (just 26 on the season), 51% FG, 46% 3pt, 81% free throws.

She's a very very efficient player who has quietly stepped up her game more than anyone for Notre Dame this year.

 

[Huskies Rule]

There is NO "Top Guards Comparison" ...Moriah Jefferson is unquestionably the best guard in the country. And it isn't even close.

Moriah is the only point guard on your list, so while she scores 'only' 14 ppg, that number is pure icing on her magnificent cake because the others are all shooting guards whose job it is to score. Aside from being far and away the best defender, the best passer and the best ball-handler of the bunch, Moriah's primary job is to run the team, so it's really no surprise that she's also the best when it comes to assists, steals, and fewest turnovers.

Comparing point guards and shooting guards is a little like apples and oranges. But since the question is who is the "best guard," it's NO contest. Hands down...

 

[MilfordHusky]

I agree. Even Coach Peck said that Moriah is the second best player in the country. But some other players are making noise of their own. See the other thread about Banham. She had 60 0n Super Bowl Sunday and hit a Taurasian 3-point game winner last night that got Kobe excited. Walker-Kimbrough is shooting from the arc at a rate that even KML or Steph Curry couldn't reach. I don't see Tiffany Mitchell being a first-teamer, certainly not AP, based on this year's performance.

 

[TerpWomenFan]

There is NO "Top Guards Comparison" ...Moriah Jefferson is unquestionably the best guard in the country. And it isn't even close.

Moriah is the only point guard on your list, so while she scores 'only' 14 ppg, that number is pure icing on her magnificent cake because the others are all shooting guards whose job it is to score. Aside from being far and away the best defender, the best passer and the best ball-handler of the bunch, Moriah's primary job is to run the team, so it's really no surprise that she's also the best when it comes to assists, steals, and fewest turnovers.

Comparing point guards and shooting guards is a little like apples and oranges. But since the question is who is the "best guard," it's NO contest. Hands down...

This. Jefferson may be harder to replace next season than Stewart. She is a very special player.

 

[MilfordHusky]

This. Jefferson may be harder to replace next season than Stewart. She is a very special player.

Could be. For sure, we will miss Moriah. But I think Crystal's skill set is fairly similar. Stewie's skill set is more unique. For now, let's enjoy Moriah. She is becoming one of the best college PGs ever. She takes over games unlike any 5'7" player, perhaps ever.

 

[rugbymate]

There are a few others worthy of note....Nyia Johnson of Baylor is terrific with the ball in her hands as evidenced by assists and low turnovers but she does't score and is so-so on defense. Lindsay Allen also is a good point guard in that she distributes well and minimizes turnovers but is so-so on defense and doesn't score much. The kid from Army, Minato scores well and handles the ball well but her low number of assists says she probably has few options to distribute to.
All in all there is no one else in the country who has the statistical package of Mo. In addition, at the risk of being labeled a sexist, her adorability factor is completely off the charts.

 

[HuskyFan1125]

Jefferson is the second best player and the best guard in America.

As far as other guards (seniors) up for the draft.....

I stated in a thread earlier this week that I would look at Ameryst Alston and Rachel Banham or Jaime Weisner ahead of South Carolinas Mitchell.

 

[Gus Mahler]

There are a few others worthy of note....Nyia Johnson of Baylor is terrific with the ball in her hands as evidenced by assists and low turnovers but she does't score and is so-so on defense. Lindsay Allen also is a good point guard in that she distributes well and minimizes turnovers but is so-so on defense and doesn't score much. The kid from Army, Minato scores well and handles the ball well but her low number of assists says she probably has few options to distribute to.
All in all there is no one else in the country who has the statistical package of Mo. In addition, at the risk of being labeled a sexist, her adorability factor is completely off the charts.

She still looks incredibly young to me. No longer a 7th grader, but 22? No way!

 

[malevocalist#]

Jefferson has the total package. Offense & Defense. Quickenss and Speed. Great court awareness. And she can shut all those guards - that many speaks highly of - down. SpitFire is a warrior.

 

[Carnac]

There is NO "Top Guards Comparison" ...Moriah Jefferson is unquestionably the best guard in the country. And it isn't even close.

Moriah is the only point guard on your list, so while she scores 'only' 14 ppg, that number is pure icing on her magnificent cake because the others are all shooting guards whose job it is to score. Aside from being far and away the best defender, the best passer and the best ball-handler of the bunch, Moriah's primary job is to run the team, so it's really no surprise that she's also the best when it comes to assists, steals, and fewest turnovers.

Comparing point guards and shooting guards is a little like apples and oranges. But since the question is who is the "best guard," it's NO contest. Hands down...

You're preaching to the choir here. Mo's MY favorite player, and I echo your sentiments loudly.

 

[UcMiami]

Milford - thanks for posting the stats and starting the discussion. I agree though with the posters who mention that shooting guard and PG are definitely different and evaluated differently.

I think the most direct comparisons to Moriah are Allen and Johnson as noted by rugby mate, at least among contending teams. Nyia has incredible assist numbers, but it speaks to a fundamentally different offensive system run at Baylor where the PG is the ONLY player picking up serious assist numbers. And neither Allen nor Johnson have the scoring potential of Moriah nor the defensive intensity.

What is really amazing to me (and it stands out against Uconn's other historically great guards) is the incredible efficiency of Moriah's scoring. She stands up well against all the great 'shooting guards' in you list, while being the consummate PG and defender.

I know DT is sacrosanct within Uconn history, and Moriah will not approach her points or rebounds, but her game is on that kind of level. She is in Stewart's 'shadow', but she is carving out a spot in the foothills of mount rushmore Uconn-style.

 

[baggerbob]

Personally i would like to see Seattle trade their Rookie of the year for the 2nd pick in the draft, and put Mo on the same team as Sue, KML, and Stewie. Jewel is a volume shooter, and you build your team around Stewie, not a shooting guard.

 

[Carnac]

Jefferson is the second best player and the best guard in America.

As far as other guards (seniors) up for the draft.....

I stated in a thread earlier this week that I would look at Ameryst Alston and Rachel Banham or Jaime Weisner ahead of South Carolinas Mitchell.

A WNBA team may agree with your take. Moriah will be gone by the time the team with the 6th pick is on the clock.
I say top 5 because some teams with picks 2-5 may not need a guard.

Carnac is once again going to step out on a limb. Moriah will be a star in the WNBA, and will go on to make lots of money in professional basketball before her career ends. When it does, I can see her becoming a coach at the college or pro level. You can take that to the bank!!