/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62336587/usa_today_11286910.0.jpg)
Through the first three games of the new season, Immanuel Quickley is starting to separate himself as the clear-cut, starting point guard for the Kentucky Wildcats.
Starting the past two games for the Wildcats, Quickley has performed well in each contest, with the only “meh” performance being against Duke, but that was pretty much the whole team. The team seems to be flowing and gelling more with Quickley running the point.
Immanuel Quickley one hand backdoor pass to Tyler Herro. pic.twitter.com/lbkzlF17R1
— Scott Charlton (@Scott_Charlton) November 15, 2018
Through three games of the season Quickley is averaging 25.7 minutes per game, as compared to Quade Green’s 19.3 minutes per game and Ashton Hagans’ 16 minutes per game.
Quickley brings a bigger offensive presence to the table when he’s on the floor as well. He hit his second straight game in double figures against North Dakota with 12 points, bringing his average to 11 ppg on the season.
As of right now, Quickley is Kentucky’s best option at the point guard position, followed by Green and then Hagans. Over his last two games, Green has hit 6/11 shots while averaging 10 ppg with eight assists vs. four turnovers and four steals.
Just two months ago, Hagans was presumed to be the front-runner for THE point guard job on this year’s team, but his lack of offensive production is proving to be costly, only averaging 1.3 ppg through the first three games. He also has seven turnovers compared to just Quickley’s four. Hagans also barely got on the floor against North Dakota until the second half when the game was well out of reach.
Quickley has the ability to hit an open three as well as split defenders and hit a floater in the lane, and with Kentucky finally showing some form of life against North Dakota, offensive production at the point guard position is going to be key going forward in the year.
Hagans and Green will still see the floor, there’s no doubt about that, but as of right now Quickley is PG1 for the Kentucky Wildcats.
Now, the question is, what kind of role will Hagans carve out now that he’s effectively the third point guard on the team?
Go follow our Twitter page to get all of the latest Kentucky Wildcats news and views. And check out our latest Kentucky Football shirt.