Iona senior Scott Machado was the number one playmaker in Division I college basketball last season with 9.9 assists per game, but playing for a mid-major college against less known competition has kept this true point guard well below the radar for most of his collegiate career. This means Machado has not dealt with the scrutiny faced by the players attending the big name colleges and that is something he will need to become adjusted to very quickly now.

“I feel that as I go to the workouts I get better and better as I get more comfortable working out in front of people,” said Machado. “This is a dream come true for me and at first it was very nerve-racking, but as I get used to it, it is wonderful.”

As a traditional point guard, Machado’s style of play has become somewhat unusual as guards putting up double-digit assists have become over-shadowed by those who concentrate on scoring instead. Other than the pure point guard play of Kendall Marshall, no other guard in the NBA draft has demonstrated the same ability to run a team.

“I am a pass-first point guard,” said Machado. “I am a real point guard. I like to run a team and be a leader and be a leader by example. I feel I can separate myself because I have been in college basketball for four years and I am experienced.”

Machado has taken full advantage of his four years of collegiate basketball to steadily improve his game including playing for Brazil at the World University games and developing a legitimate three-point shot in the summer. While he is still seen as having a suspect jump shot and as a defensive liability, Machado could surprise teams during his pre-draft workouts.

“At the defensive end and shooting, I feel that is something I am proving to everybody that I am capable of doing,” said Machado.

“It’s a will to guard and I feel like when everybody around you is guarding their man, then you focus on guarding your man and containing him and keeping him in front of you and that’s something you focus on so people behind you are going to be helping you. I feel that’s something I can do in the NBA.”

As a senior, Machado boosted his 41 percent shooting average to 49.5 percent and upped his three-point shooting from 32 percent to 40.4 percent to average a career best 13.6 points per game. Unfortunately there isn’t anything he can do about being 6’ 2” and having only average athleticism at the defensive end.

Despite his obvious strong point guard skills and improving scoring, Machado is unlikely gain the attention needed to be a first round pick in this year’s draft, but this is one college guard who could be ready to step into a backup role on a NBA team right away and have an impact. If the 22-year-old keeps improving his game over the summer, this is one point guard teams may regret overlooking next season.