Historically and currently, point guards have been an extension of the coach.
One year after being the focal point and a high scoring guard with a knack for carving his way to the rim and creating opportunity off the dribble, Class of 2022 PG Austin Chiles seized the leadership reins as a battle tested guard at Waggener High School.
The Louisville native set a loud tone defensively as a pesky on ball and confrontational defender. He transitioned to more of a traditional point guard role, dishing and finding seams and making his teammates beneficiaries of his presence.
With his pocket passes and ability to trigger the uptempo attack, Chiles became the engineer of the team’s offensive attack.
“My main role was to make my teammates better and put them in positions that they aren’t used to or comfortable with,” said Chiles, who will prolong his career at Division 1 NAIA Lindsey Wilson.
“Myself and my coach knew that I could go make a play at any time but it’s easy to stop a one-person team. So, I went out every day to challenge my teammates and that was my role as a leader.”
With the transfer portal spinning out of control and transfers, Junior college guys, and post grad players being prioritized over high school prospects, Chiles may have slipped through some cracks, recruiting wise.
Following a memorable senior year at Waggener and with a quintessential creative, elusive point guard’s mindset, he will look to leave the same imprint at the collegiate level.
