JT Mercado is a skilled, high IQ point guard who controls the tempo of the game with poise, toughness, and a strong feel for winning basketball.
At 6’0, 170 pounds, Mercado plays with a confident command of the floor and shows the instincts of a natural lead guard.
He is at his best with the ball in his hands, orchestrating offense, organizing teammates, and consistently making the right read.
Offensively, Mercado thrives as a creator.
He handles pressure well, keeps his dribble alive, and uses change of pace to create separation.
He can get into the lane using craft more than pure speed and finishes effectively with either hand.
His pull up jumper is reliable off the bounce, especially from mid-range, and he continues to extend his shooting range beyond the arc.
Mercado is a willing shooter who understands shot selection and rarely forces the issue.
As a passer, Mercado shows strong vision and timing.
He sees the floor a step ahead, delivers accurate passes out of pick and roll action, and excels at finding shooters in rhythm.
He understands spacing and angles and consistently puts teammates in positions to succeed.
His assist numbers do not always reflect his impact, as he often initiates hockey assists and early offense.
Defensively, Mercado competes.
He stays engaged on the ball, anticipates passing lanes, and takes pride in defending opposing guards.
While not overly long or explosive, his positioning, effort, and anticipation allow him to be effective.
He rebounds his position well and quickly looks to push the ball in transition.
What separates Mercado is his composure.
He plays with maturity beyond his age, rarely looks rattled, and embraces leadership responsibilities.
He understands time, score, and momentum, making him a steady presence late in games.
College Projection
JT Mercado projects as a high-level Division II to strong Division III point guard, with the upside to earn low Division I consideration as his strength, shooting consistency, and pace continue to improve.
His feel for the game, decision making, and leadership traits translate well to the college level where coaches value guards who can run a team, protect the ball, and execute within structure.
Evaluation Summary
Mercado is a smart, dependable floor general with strong passing instincts, a developing scoring package, and a competitive defensive mindset.
His physical tools are solid, but his feel, toughness, and basketball IQ drive his impact and project well to the college game.
Key Development Areas
- Continue extending three point shooting range and volume
• Add functional strength to handle physical college guards
• Maintain aggressiveness as a scorer when defenses sag
Long-Term Outlook
JT Mercado is the type of point guard college programs trust to run offense, stabilize lineups, and impact winning over multiple seasons.