Backcourt Duos: DMV’s Top-10 Guard Tandems

<p>Wondering who the top guard tandems in the DC Metro Area are? You’ve come to the right place. This article breaks them down, in order, starting from 10 and counting down to 1. </p> <p><em>*Editor’s Note: Baltimore area prospects are not included in this list.</em></p> <h5>10. [player_tooltip player_id="829400" first="CJ" last="Lee"] and [player_tooltip player_id="902011" first="Ryan" last="Prather Jr."] | Clarksburg (MD)</h5> <p>Lee, a rising junior, transferred from Northwest to Clarksburg midway through the past season. He’s a skilled guard who can fill it up with the best and will form a dynamic partnership alongside Prather, a rising senior who was one of the DMV’s top scorers last season. It would be a mistake not to mention Nurideen "NuNu" Taylor along with these two as he’s a valuable two-way contributor in the Coyotes talented backcourt.</p> <h5>9. [player_tooltip player_id="902057" first="Rasheed" last="Dupree"] and [player_tooltip player_id="902024" first="Saveon" last="Jackson"] | KIPP (DC)</h5> <p>Much of KIPP’s recent success can be attributed to the value that rising seniors [player_tooltip player_id="902057" first="Rasheed" last="Dupree"] and [player_tooltip player_id="902024" first="Saveon" last="Jackson"] have added to the program. These two are tone-setters who a bit of everything on both ends of the floor and are proven winners. Their classmate [player_tooltip player_id="902091" first="Charles" last="McClain"] has recently emerged as another sneaky-good guard from this program. </p> <h5>8. [player_tooltip player_id="954246" first="Nasir" last="Best"] and [player_tooltip player_id="902028" first="Miasiah" last="Brown"] | Woodrow Wilson (DC)</h5> <p>Many wondered how Wilson would look this past season after their most dominant season in recent memory. The addition of rising senior Miasiah "Zay" Brown was welcomed as he paired in the backcourt alongside his classmate [player_tooltip player_id="954246" first="Nasir" last="Best"]. These two combined to form a tenacious defensive backcourt. The development of 2021 [player_tooltip player_id="902084" first="Eric" last="Morgan"] Jr. should not be overlooked. He’s Wilson’s best shooter and is a fine complement to either Best, Brown, or both in any lineup. </p> <h5>7. [player_tooltip player_id="562690" first="Ryan" last="Cornish"] and [player_tooltip player_id="957022" first="Cam" last="Gillus"] | Sidwell Friends (DC)</h5> <p>Rising sophomore [player_tooltip player_id="957022" first="Cam" last="Gillus"] and rising senior [player_tooltip player_id="562690" first="Ryan" last="Cornish"] impressed in their first season pairing together for Sidwell. These two get the job done on both ends of the court and should only improve with a full offseason to gel. Let’s not overlook the contributions rising junior [player_tooltip player_id="837925" first="Chris" last="Gamble"] has added to this team as well. Gamble’s ability to guard multiple positions and score in timely situations are underrated. </p> <h5>6. [player_tooltip player_id="904626" first="Shane" last="Lancaster"] and [player_tooltip player_id="957026" first="Malik" last="Mack"] | St. John’s (DC)</h5> <p>Rising sophomore [player_tooltip player_id="957026" first="Malik" last="Mack"] impressed with his ability to run a team throughout his freshman campaign. He and rising junior [player_tooltip player_id="904626" first="Shane" last="Lancaster"], who provides three-level scoring and solid defense, are expected to take a leap in terms of minutes and production next year. </p> <h5>5. [player_tooltip player_id="712742" first="Bez" last="Mbeng"] and [player_tooltip player_id="836524" first="Antoine" last="Jacks"] | Good Counsel (MD)</h5> <p>Rising senior [player_tooltip player_id="712742" first="Bez" last="Mbeng"], a returning All-WCAC First Teamer, broke out this past season for a Good Counsel team that might have surprised some folks. Equally as impressive was the emergence of his classmate, Antione Jacks, who put the area on notice by holding his own against the top guards in this area each time he stepped on the floor last season. </p> <h5>4. [player_tooltip player_id="775333" first="Cole" last="Hanin"] and [player_tooltip player_id="775314" first="Erik" last="Reynolds"] | Bullis (MD)</h5> <p>Rising seniors [player_tooltip player_id="775333" first="Cole" last="Hanin"] and [player_tooltip player_id="775314" first="Erik" last="Reynolds"] have been at it for 3+ years now, and they continue to improve over time. Rising sophomore [player_tooltip player_id="957024" first="Zane" last="Adnan"] exceeded expectations during his freshman season and is expected to take another leap as well. </p> <h5>3. [player_tooltip player_id="775338" first="Elijah" last="Hawkins"] and [player_tooltip player_id="904621" first="Rodney" last="Rice"] | DeMatha (MD)</h5> <p>Rising senior [player_tooltip player_id="775338" first="Elijah" last="Hawkins"] took a stranglehold on the starting lead guard position at DeMatha this past season with stellar play on both ends of the floor. The addition of [player_tooltip player_id="904621" first="Rodney" last="Rice"], a rising junior who is one of the best scorers you’ll find, made headlines this offseason and is expected to be a significant one. Let’s not ignore [player_tooltip player_id="957021" first="Jacoi" last="Hutchinson"], a rising sophomore who put together a series of solid performances during his promising freshman campaign, who is also expected to factor into the rotation once again. </p> <h5>2. [player_tooltip player_id="837921" first="Devin" last="Dinkins"] and [player_tooltip player_id="777066" first="Judah" last="Mintz"] | Gonzaga (DC)</h5> <p>Rising juniors [player_tooltip player_id="837921" first="Devin" last="Dinkins"] and [player_tooltip player_id="777066" first="Judah" last="Mintz"] are a truly dynamic duo who will be fully unleashed once and for all next season. These two have waited in the wings for two years, but have gained valuable experience in the meantime. Expect these two to step up in a big way for the perennially powerful Purple Eagles. </p> <h5>1. [player_tooltip player_id="543841" first="Trevor" last="Keels"] and [player_tooltip player_id="815578" first="Knasir" last="McDaniel"] | Paul VI (VA)</h5> <p>Rising senior [player_tooltip player_id="543841" first="Trevor" last="Keels"], a consensus Five Star recruit, is finally getting the national recognition he deserves. This comes to no surprise as his body of work speaks for itself. Rising junior Knasir "Dug" McDaniel, considered the most gifted passer in the area, will partner alongside Keels once again and form an exciting backcourt tandem that will be extremely fun to watch.</p> <h5>Honorable Mention (Listed Alphabetically By School)</h5> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="897404" first="Paul" last="Lewis"] and [player_tooltip player_id="999624" first="Mason" last="So"] | Bishop O’Connell (VA)</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="531258" first="Jalen" last="Miller"] and [player_tooltip player_id="902008" first="Jordan" last="Rayford"] | Bishop Walsh (MD)</p> <p><strong>Jayden Harris</strong> and <strong>Shamar Sisco</strong> | Christ Chapel (VA)</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="904655" first="Amare" last="Curtis"] and [player_tooltip player_id="777090" first="Kyle" last="Gaskins"] | Coolidge (DC)</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="904678" first="Ifanieye" last="Lewis"] and [player_tooltip player_id="904687" first="James" last="Rice"] | Eleanor Roosevelt (MD)</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="902027" first="Jamiyl" last="Kirkland Jr."] and [player_tooltip player_id="902045" first="DaJuan" last="McMillan"] | Friendship Tech (DC)</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="904654" first="Bryce" last="Sewell"] and [player_tooltip player_id="904649" first="AJ" last="Thomas"] | Georgetown Prep (MD)</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="798681" first="Mike" last="Gray"] and [player_tooltip player_id="902012" first="Kino" last="Lilly Jr."] | Landon (MD)</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="902070" first="Rashid" last="Abudu"] and [player_tooltip player_id="775367" first="Mike" last="Myrie"] | Magruder (MD)</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="902037" first="Kordell" last="Lewis"] and [player_tooltip player_id="836513" first="Jabril" last="Robinson"] | Richard Montgomery (MD)</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="902029" first="Chace" last="Davis"] and [player_tooltip player_id="775372" first="Dylan" last="Edwards"] | St. Andrew’s (MD)</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="815601" first="Garrett" last="Brennan"] and [player_tooltip player_id="902006" first="Devin" last="Ceaser"] | St. Stephen’s &amp; St. Agnes (VA)</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="836516" first="Mark" last="Aiken"] and [player_tooltip player_id="775329" first="Michael" last="Aiken"] | Thurgood Marshall (DC)</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="775362" first="Daemond" last="Ford"] and [player_tooltip player_id="904623" first="Trey" last="Thomas"] | Wise (MD)</p>