One year after putting forth a marquee and memorable performance in which he neutralized Anfernee Simons, then a post-graduate at IMG Academy, The Nation Christian Academy's Class of 2019 point guard Idrissa Bivens is flushed into a prominent role.
The veteran, battle tested point guard brings a multi-dimensional layer of talent which dispels the stereotype that New York City guys have never been too thrilled about playing pesky defense.
Beyond the performance against Simons (who was held to a meager six points and never really got going), now with the Portland Trail Blazers after circumventing the collegiate process with a post-graduate season, Bivens authored multiple performances in which he kicked out 10+ assists as a junior.
Attacking the rim with full throttle explosion, soaring by unsuspected defenders, and thriving by creating space off the dribble, Bivens has become a real arduous chore to guard this season. His shot and his shot speed have become bedrock attributes for the senior.
With Bivens flanked by Class of 2020 Khyree Taylor in the backcourt and with Class of 2021 Jaden Levine arriving at the doorstep with an advanced skill set and a certifiable toughness, point guard has rapidly evolved into a bellwether position in the upstart second year program. The Nation also features an under the radar Class of 2019 point guard in Toronto native Josiah Tynes, who has shown an ability to quarterback a team and simultaneously established a dependable knockdown game.
"Every point guard we have is forced to get better everyday," said The Nation's assistant coach/Director of Basketball Operations Nate Alexander.
"The level of competition within that group is higher than likely anyone else's backcourt in Florida if not the country. Idrissa does everything smoothly--he's hardly ever rushed. When he gets to his spots, he's nearly impossible to stop. His length also makes him a huge factor on defense, in the passing lanes, and at the rim."
Out of Westchester County, N.Y., a basketball hotbed which has lost a considerable share of public school guards to the prep route these past few years, Taylor has displayed the tightest handle out of the core. He's able to pile up points in a hurry and has showcased a lost art in today's game with a consistent mid-range pull up.
Running hand in hand with the maturation process has been Taylor's increase in work ethic and vocal presence throughout practice. He's the type of kid who expects himself to win every in-house competition and set the gold standard in every drill.
A raw and wildly undiscovered 2021 talent, Levine has shown nary a trace of trepidation in gauging his grit against bigger, stronger players. With his willingness to apply wall to wall blanketing defense and surge to the rim against rim protectors. Levine's restlessness has translated to a deliberate, heady guard who knows how to distribute that fireball pass and get his teammates involved.
As a post graduate, the 6-foot-3 Tynes has been consistent in imposing his will and being active in all categories of his game. Boasting a heady game and picking up on detail rapidly, the Class of 2019 should carve out his niche as a reliable two-way guard on the program's post-graduate team. Alexander envisions mid to high major potential in the sleeper.
"All four excel in finding the open man and can create offense for themselves," Alexander said. "All, in my opinion, are high major talents."
Player development, a major component in the Nation's ascension from an obscure first year program (one which didn't kick off until December of 2017) to a 60-player program rife with blossoming young talent in year two, has mirrored the ascension of all three.
"We've had a target on our backs since the IMG game last year but it has all intensified now because of the stage we are on and playing in the SIAA conference," said Bivens, who rattled off Florida International, Ole Miss, and Northeastern as the programs in heaviest pursuit of him currently.
"Everybody is just trying to be successful. With the point guards, we just devote so much to ball handling stuff. We will do drills where we dribble with two basketballs at once, everything we go through consists of putting the ball on the floor and being comfortable making decisions with the ball."
With matchups against the likes of West Oaks' Tyrell Jones ( 35+ Division-I offers including Florida and Louisville), Bryan Greenlee of The Rock School (1st team All-State selection, recently pulled in an offer from Boston University), and uber-talented point guards throughout the SIAA conference, Bivens is cognizant all three will soon have a fight on their hands.
"This year it has all intensified because kids know the stage we're on now, everybody is just trying to be successful," Bivens explained.
"We do ball handling stuff, dribbling with two basketballs, we go through everything consists of putting the ball on the floor and being comfortable and being able to make decisions with the ball.
Bivens said part of inheriting a leadership role demands that he hold the underclassmen to a high standard. This mentality has resulted in constant battles with Taylor in practice, each and every last one of them being heated.
"With me being a senior and me being a leader, I understand you have to bring it everyday," Bivens explained. "You have to go full throttle in practice because the younger guys are gunning for your spot. With myself and Khyree, everyday is a battle. Everything becomes a competition. Coach never wants us on the same team in practice and is constantly matching us up together. Oh, it gets heated at times. We're making each other better."
The sleeper out of the trio is the Class of 2021 Levine, who has already generated SEC and ACC interest.
"Jaden could go down as the best player to ever play in my program," head coach Mike Woodbury said. "He never gets sped up, he dictates tempo, he shoots the lights out from three, he facilitates. He's the best quarterback out of all of them."
With the emergence of Taylor, the program has a rare case of a guard who thrives at creating space, creating separation, and an instinctive style of scoring the ball and eluding defenders. He's shown an adeptness at getting into the teeth of the defense and adjusting his shot accordingly. He finishes with either hand in unique, crafty fashion.
Becoming a more consistent shooter from beyond the arc has earned him offers from St. Bonaventure and McNeese State while tuning up his Division-I interest. Florida Hoops head honcho Eric Wallace, a longtime recruiting guru, has him projected as one of the state's best guards in the Class of 2020. Playing national competition this season will ramp up his status on the recruiting market.
The loaded backcourt equates to a legitimate matchup headache.
"We have the advantage of getting those guys to go head to head to head everyday," as Woodbury explained. "That allows us the freedom to play. In our style, we're going to be able to put two of those guys on the floor at the same time. Khyree will probably be the lead guard and Idrissa will likely play off the ball. Both of them playing lead guard roles creates a real advantage for us."