Top 10 Best Shooting Guards in College Basketball

Shooting guard has always been one of the glamor positions in the game of basketball. There is no shortage in variety at the position.

Some are asked to zip around screens for open jumpers in a half-court offense. Some are asked to score off the dribble. Some are dead-eye shooters, and some are volume scorers.

Generally, you want a shooting guard to be a consistent scoring threat who can hit threes and defend the perimeter. The prototype shooting guard is Michael Jordan, who could do some of everything.

There is not one standout, transcendent star in this year's crop, but there is plenty of depth. Here is one writer's top 10 in 2012. 

10. Rodney McGruder: Kansas State

With all apologies to J'Covan Brown of Texas, Rodney McGruder has played his way onto this list.

His season averages of 15.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.3 steals may not jump off the page. His 37-percent three-point shooting may only be labeled as above average, but his start in the Big 12 season is anything but.

In his first five conference games, McGruder is averaging 23.4 points and 6.6 rebounds per game. He is shooting 52.6 percent from the field and 50 percent from three-point range.

He lit up Baylor for 30 points and Texas for 33. McGruder may be a surprise on this list and may be ranked a little high, but he is playing at an extremely high level.

9. Chase Tapley: San Diego State

Chase Tapley is a junior who is having a truly breakout season. He is basically doubling his production from a year ago.

At best a secondary option on a loaded Aztecs team last year, Tapley is making a name for himself this season.

He is averaging 16.7 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.1 steals per game. His shooting numbers are even more impressive. He is hitting 50.7 percent of his shots, including 47.4 percent from long-range.

He has led San Diego State to a 16-2 start and has them standing atop the Mountain West standings. 

8. Jared Cunningham: Oregon State

Jared Cunningham is not the prototypical shooter for the position, but he is the most exciting player on one of the most exciting teams in the country.

Cunningham can put his stamp on the game at anytime with his length and explosiveness in the Beavers' 1-3-1 trapping defense.

He is averaging 2.9 steals per game, many of which end in thunderous dunks on the other end. Cunningham also averages 17.6 points per game with 3.8 rebounds and 3.0 assists.

Cunningham has registered multiple steals in 10 consecutive games.

7. Damian Lillard: Weber State

Damian Lillard is sort of a combination guard who handles the ball, but he is too good a shooter and scorer to keep off the list.

Lillard is leading the nation in scoring at 25.5 points per game. He is a rare breed of efficient shooting and volume scoring. He is shooting 45.7 percent on threes and 90.8 percent from the foul line.

He is no one-trick pony either. Lillard is also grabbing 5.8 rebounds per game and dishing out 3.5 assists. He is equally adept at shooting, scoring off the dribble, and driving and dishing to an open teammate.

Lillard has topped 30 points five times this season and has been held below 20 just four times.

6. Kenny Boynton: Florida

Kenny Boynton has been the most offensively productive player in one of the nation's top backcourts.

He is scoring 18.7 points per game and dishing out 3.1 assists. He is a great shooter with unlimited range, and he can get into the lane and score at the rim.

He is shooting 49.6 percent from the field and 45.8 percent from three-point range. If he can get his free-throw shooting back up over 80 percent, he'd be a 20-point-per-game scorer.

Boynton has been plagued by streaky shooting in his career, but he has steadied himself this year. He has hit half of his threes in 10 of 18 games this year and has been held to less than two made threes in only one game.

5. Orlando Johnson: UC Santa Barbara

Orlando Johnson is not as well-known as his counterparts in the top five, but he could be in time.

He is a great scorer and a great shooter who can rebound, pass and defend. He is averaging 20.2 points per game, his second consecutive season over 20 per game.

He is also averaging 6.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and a block and a steal per game. He is shooting 40.6 percent from three-point range. 

His free-throw shooting has dropped from 80.4 percent to just 66.3. If he can shoot from the line at that rate, he will be a lethal scorer.

Johnson doesn't just feast on small-school competition either. In two games against San Diego State and UNLV, Johnson averaged 31.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 2.5 blocks and 1.5 steals per game. He was also 5-of-11 from three.

Johnson can flat out play.

4. Will Barton: Memphis

Will Barton is probably a surprise this high on the list, but there may be no player in college basketball who does more for his team.

Barton's fingerprints are all over every Memphis basketball game in every facet.

He is their leading scorer and rebounder with 18.5 points and 8.9 boards per game. He also dishes out 2.6 assists and averages 1.6 steals and a block per game.

Barton does it all on both ends of the floor but finds a way to remain efficient as a scorer, shooting 51.1 percent from the field and 39.2 percent from three.

He has nine double-doubles on the season, and no matter how you view his game, he is both explosive and productive.

3. Tim Hardaway Jr.: Michigan

Tim Hardaway Jr. is another player who may be ranked slightly high, but he is a high-ceiling player.

His averages aren't the greatest in the Big 10, let alone the country. He is scoring 15.4 points with 3.4 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. He doesn't shoot at an elite level either, hitting just 28 percent of his threes.

Hardaway is just one of those players that gets it done in big games and at big moments.

It's hard to lose the image of Hardaway hitting big shot after big shot against Duke in a near upset last March. Hardaway has elite size and ability; he just needs to find a way to harness his game and get the most of his ability.

2. Jeremy Lamb: Connecticut

Jeremy Lamb has been in a bit of a funk over the last couple weeks, but there is no doubt that he is a great talent and a nightmare for the opposition.

Lamb is a great athlete with even better size and length. He is an effective rebounder and defender, and he can score with anyone in college basketball.

He is scoring 17.7 points per game and grabbing 4.4 rebounds. Despite his struggles, he is still shooting 37 percent from three-point range.

On defense, he is averaging 1.6 steals per game and adding just less than one block.

If Connecticut gets their season back on track, it will be because Lamb has taken over.

1. Marcus Denmon: Missouri

Marcus Denmon is not among the top NBA prospects, but he is the best shooting guard in college basketball.

He doesn't have incredible size or athleticism, but he is an incredibly efficient offensive player who can score in a variety of ways.

He rebounds exceptionally well for his position and size, and he takes great care of the basketball.

Denmon is averaging 17.8 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game. Despite a recent shooting slump, he is still shooting 48 percent from the field and 42 percent from three-point range. Even more impressive is his 92.4-percent free-throw shooting.

Denmon produces in all areas of the game and is one of the best, smartest and most efficient players in the country. Denmon is a senior-leader who is looking to lead the Tigers deep into March.