“I don't want to be a point guard, or a two-guard, I want people to think of me as "creative", I just want to create on the court.” - “The Answer," b.k.a. “Bubba Chuck.”
The point guard, or the floor general, is essential to a team's success. A great point guard controls the pace of the game and the emotional swings of his team. Great point guards have mastered the art of communication. In a limited period of time, they can relay a message with very few words. They read emotions and react. They utilize dead ball situations and timeouts to seek tutelage and make adjustments. As they go, so shall the team.
Below is an article within our feature series titled, "The Floor General." During the series we will link with countless point guards to pick their brains and see what makes today's point guard tick. Next up is St. Rose guard Abby Antognoli. --By Christian Mordi @thedribbledrop on Instagram and Twitter.
TheDribbleDrop: Being a floor general doesn’t just focus on offense but defensively. As a point guard, what do you feel your primary job is to do defensively?
Abby Antognoli: I think with a lot of people their isn’t that real desire to play defense. Defense wins games. I think a lot of people forget that the team that stops the other team from scoring the most wins the game. I love defense. I care about it. I love playing hard on that side of the floor and I love getting everyone equally involved on the defensive side just as much as I get them involved on the offensive side.
TheDribbleDrop: Everyone uses the words “pace and tempo” when discussing their point guard. What do you think is the ideal “pace” to play at for today's young player? If fast, do you think they are efficient within it?
Abby Antognoli: I think everything is situational. Playing fast is exciting and fun. I also think it’s about playing smart and under control regardless of speed. How effective is playing fast if you are turning the ball over a lot? I want to play good basketball.
TheDribbleDrop: Your first year you played with Mikayla Markham who went on to play at Columbia University. They say iron sharpens iron. What did you learn from that year playing with her?
Abby Antognoli: My first year was pretty tough going from middle school to a team like St. Rose. I had to sit back and watch and learn from how she led the team. It helped me a lot my sophomore year as it put me in position to jump right in and lead the right way. I saw how hard Mikayla worked everyday. I saw how smart and under control she was on the court.
TheDribbleDrop: What would you say is your best attribute on the court that you think other people easily see? What do you think is the best attribute in your game that people miss that allows you to dominate on this level?
Abby Antognoli: Most people I think can easily identify my drive and will to win. I will dive on the floor for every loose ball. Most people don’t pay attention to how vocal I am on the floor when the ball is in and out of play. I do all I can to communicate with everyone. I sometimes put my teammates before me, which some say that could be a fault but that’s not the game to me. I want to get everyone on the same page and lead by example.
TheDribbleDrop: Best Piece of advice you got from a coach, fellow teammate or older player about the point guard spot that pushed your game to another level?
Abby Antognoli: My mom told me when I first started playing that the best players on the team make the players around them better. She always preaches that to me. A true point guard will do whatever it takes to win and uplifts their teammates.
TheDribbleDrop: We all know that playing the point guard position comes with a bit of sacrifice, but what happens when you are the best player on your team and they rely on your scoring? How do you provide that balance?
Abby Antognoli: Throughout my career I have played alongside some special players offensively that allowed me to really take on a certain role easily. Next year I will still be playing with great players but my role will have to change. I will have to put pressure on with my shot.
TheDribbleDrop: Right now you are undecided. Tell me a couple things you are looking for from a school.
Abby Antognoli: A family atmosphere. I want a great relationship with the coaching staff. I want the team to play at a great pace. I want a great academic school as well.