Shooting guard

A shooting guard (SG) is one of five traditional positions on a basketball team. They are often shorter, leaner, and quicker than forwards. Therefore, one of their major tasks is to lead the team in scoring during fast break situations. In half court situations when the shot clock is going to expire, the team will pass the ball out to the shooting guard to set up a long range jumper. Besides these majors tasks they can bring up the ball as well, and thus they are sometimes called "off guards". Shooting guards are also know as "2-guards", since they are represented by the number 2. A player who can switch between playing shooting guard and small forward is known as a swingman.

Related Topics:
Basketball - Number 2 - Small forward - Swingman

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They are often the best jump shooters in the game, but can also drive to the basket. Many shooting guards can also play small forward. A shooting guard should be a good ball handler who is a good passer. Shooting guards focus on scoring, and allow the point guard to focus on passing. Most shooting guards are between 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m), such as Ben Gordon, and 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m), such as Tracy McGrady. They weigh from 190 to 240 lb (86 to 109 kg).

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Michael Jordan, one of the best-known basketball players in history, was a shooting guard, and helped define the role of the modern position. Other famous shooting guards of the past include Clyde Drexler, Jerry West, Walt Frazier, Bill Sharman, Sam Jones, Earl Monroe, Pete Maravich, Reggie Miller, and John Havlicek. Notable shooting guards who are currently active include Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade, Tracy McGrady, Ray Allen, Vince Carter, Richard Hamilton, Manu Ginobili, and Paul Pierce.

Related Topics:
Michael Jordan - Clyde Drexler - Jerry West - Walt Frazier - Bill Sharman - Sam Jones - Earl Monroe - Pete Maravich - Reggie Miller - John Havlicek - Kobe Bryant - Dwyane Wade - Tracy McGrady - Ray Allen - Vince Carter - Richard Hamilton - Manu Ginobili - Paul Pierce

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