Scoring is all the rage in the NSL this season with many players putting up career highs in not only quantity but also career highs in efficiency especially from behind the 3 point line. For (most) those players to be able to score the way they do, someone needs to pass them the ball in their spots, at the right time and right into their shooting pocket and these are the players this article will focus on. The unselfish players are not worried about getting their own scoring numbers and just want to hit up their guys in the right spots to give their team the best chance at winning. The unheralded set up men doing the less glorified work but no less important. 

1. Fred Van Vleet (9.4 assists)  

A man more known for his scoring prowess than his assist ability he has upped his game massively to a league leading 9.4! Considering his previous best was 3 seasons ago at 7.4, this improvement at this later stage of his career is certainly impressive and unexpected. Originally planning to play off Luka then Ja but now through injury will play next to neither of them. You'd think having an expanded role on the team he is on his would assists would drop to up his scoring but that has not happened yet for the little garden gnome. Doing it well for all the short kings out there.

2. Trae Young (8.4 Assists)

Another player more known for his scoring but always has been an above average passer has taken his game to another level this season which i'm sure his new franchise and GM must be absolutely stoked about. Another player having his previous career best 3 seasons ago and also increasing in by 2 this season, seems to be a developing trend that the way the game is played this season lends itself to high assists numbers. Using the threat of his scoring to create space for his teammates to cut to the rim has unlocked this OKC squad this season seeing them surge up the standings in the west and with the age of the stars on the thunder they could stay up there for many seasons to come.

3. Tyrese Haliburton (7.7 Assists)

Tyrese and his playstyle are something I absolutely adore and will always enjoy seeing him succeed. The 4th year jump from good player to league superstar has been incredible upping his points, efficiency and (most importantly for this article) his assists. Increasing his assists numbers by a whopping 3.4 from his previous career high whilst playing off one of the best set up men of all time (even if he is a bit unconventional) in Nikola Jokic makes the jump all the more impressive. A more traditional point guard with scoring skills compared to the top two players in this category, you cant help but admire the way he conducts his business on the court and don't rule out even more improvement in this stat considering his considerable improvement every year.

4. Jalen Brunson (7.1 Assists)

Another high assist man, another undersized player at the position. Seems 2k made a focus on making these players more like their NBA counterparts and it seems to be working. A former wizard who had to be move on due to a salary crunch, Brunson is another player i've always admired with his steadyhand and more traditional point guard style of play but has increased his scoring aptitude every season since entering the league to make the well rounded assist man you see today. Dont get me wrong, he has also increased his assists this season by 2.9 from his previous career high. Using the threat of his shooting and his smarts to manipulate players on the court Brunson loves setting up his teammates for easy buckets. Hitting bigs rolling hard to the him and corner 3 point shooters with ease keeping consistently, keeping the offence humming along as well as making sure all his teammates get theirs, he is much loved by the cleveland franchise.

5. Dennis Schroeder (7.1 Assists)

Another undersized scoring guard, another former Wizard and another career best assist season. Dennis the Menace has increased his previous best career high assists number by 1.5 assists which has been a godsend for Boston and Toby as their star starting point guard has been out for multiple weeks already with a return not in the near future. Dennis has always been an attacking player off the dribble but it seems he has finally been able to harness that and use it to leverage into open shits and driving lanes for his teammates. A blur when on the court his speed has always caused fits for the defence but ever in a way to help his teammates in the way he has this season. One that will probably drop down once Garland returns, enjoy the Dennis show while it lasts and one of the better FA pickups this offseason in terms of production and need.