Updated 2021 Rankings Breakdown: Top Guards (Part 1)

With the release of our updated 2021 rankings comes the opportunity for in depth breakdowns of our rankings. We’ll start by looking at our positional breakdowns, ranking the players by position. To continue here’s a look at the guards rankings, going from 21-11. 21) Zach Rosenthal | 6’0” | Steward School (#60 Overall) <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2018/11/Rosenthal-Zach.jpg"></a> A very mature young player who accepts his roles and plays to his strengths, Rosenthal is a guy who can be very effective without having to have the ball in his hands for long periods of time. He’s a knock down shooter from deep, he can make plays for others and he’s a smart off ball defender who will sacrifice his body for the team. 20) Robert Walker | 5’10” | New Covenant (#58 Overall) People who say shooters need to shoot will love Walker because this kid has no problem letting it fly. He has a quick release and the ability to get a good look off against tough pressure with minimal time and he doesn’t even need to be squared up to do so. He’s a gunner who will work tirelessly to get open, but he can make plays on the ball as well. 19) Jonas Sanker | 6’0” | Covenant School (#56 Overall) <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2018/05/Sanker-Jonas.jpg"></a> Sanker is flat out a player, someone you can put on or off the basketball and ask to do different things and he responds. He knows how to play the game, he makes the right decision on a regular basis and is able to create and make shots from all over the floor. He’s a good on ball defender who moves his feet and has good instincts. 18) Jacob Cooper | 5’8” | Green Run (#53 Overall) One of a few I’ll admit I believe I have underrated early because of size. Cooper has everything outside of physical attributes that you want in a point guard. He’s the most skilled guy on the floor and one of the smartest, he has natural instincts and a burning desire to be the best he can be. His smarts and natural leadership makes it easy for teammates to follow him. 17) Maureon Tisdale-Couch | 6’1” | FUQUA (#47 Overall) An early sleeper in the class out of the Farmville area, Tisdale-Couch checks the physical boxes as far as length, athleticism and skill set for his age. He’s especially intriguing on the defensive end with his length and ability to move his feet and deflect passes. He sees the game ahead of others, he can make plays for others and he has a shot that continues to improve. 16) Jamonte Smith | 5’10” | Roanoke Catholic (#40 Overall) <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2019/01/Smith-Jamonte-RC.jpg"></a> Probably the best shotmaker in the 540 for this class that I’ve seen, Smith can fill it up from anywhere on the court and he’s continuing to improve in his shot selection. At 5’10” he plays the point, but he’s also a lethal scorer who can make shots from all three levels on or off the basketball. His continued development at the point guard position is promising moving forward. 15) Logan Barbour | 6’2” | William Monroe (#39 Overall) <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2017/09/Logan-Barbour-2021-William-Monroe-High-School.jpg"></a>   Barbour is a guy from a mountain town outside of Charlottesville, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he led them to a state tournament at some point in his career. He’s smart, competitive, skilled and he loves to win. He has deceptive speed and quickness, he can make plays for himself and for others and he has a high IQ to go along with it. He’s someone that will surprise a lot of people moving forward. 14) Isaiah Simmons | 5’6” | Steward School (#38 Overall) <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2018/11/Simmons-Isiah.jpg"></a> Usually the shortest guy on the court, it doesn’t matter because Simmons is lightning quick and super skilled and is able to get to where he wants almost whenever he wants. He has a great middle game, he can get in the lane to create for himself or others and he gets to the free throw line at will. On top of all of that, he’s a very good on ball defender and a guy who can shoot passing lanes easily. 13) Ricky Goode-Wright | 5’10” | James Monroe (#35 Overall) <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2018/09/Ricky-Goode-Wright.jpg"></a> One of the best young prospects in the Fredericksburg area, Goode-Wright was a big part of a James Monroe team that saw a lot of local success. The 5’10” guard is highly skilled with a dual threat ability to make plays for others or be a go-to scorer as well. Off the bounce he’s able to get to spots and score at all three levels, he’s able to make the right play against pressure and he has a knack for understanding the game on both ends of the floor. 12) Chris Kuzemka | 5’10” | Centreville (#30 Overall) <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2019/02/Kuzemka-Chris-Head-Shot.jpg"></a> Kuzemka transferred to Chantilly from Paul VI and made an immediate impact with his ability to control and manage a game. He has the ability to catch and shoot from deep, he pushes the rock when he needs to and slows it down when they don’t need to and he can get any team into any kind of set. He has terrific vision and a chip on his shoulder that makes him a tough and annoying guy to matchup with. 11) Angelo Brizzi | 6’3” | Highland School (#24 Overall) <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2018/08/Screen-Shot-2018-08-02-at-3.18.31-PM.png"></a> Brizzi is a kid I haven’t seen tons of but I’ve kept up with a lot, and his production, especially in the scoring department, is very impressive. He’s a guy who can handle pressure and get his team into some sets, but he’s also a guy who is wired to go get it and can fill it up from all three levels. Off the bounce he can shoot from NBA range, he’s crafty in the midrange and is supremely confident in his shot.