Updated 2021 Rankings: Guards Rankings (15-6)

One of the coolest things about the new Prep Hoops Rankings is that they automatically rank the players by positions as well. Within the rankings you can see the rankings for point guards, combo guards, shooting guards, small forwards, power forwards and centers. However, I have a different way of thinking of the game now, and believe the positions in basketball are now just guards, wings and bigs. So we’ll be breaking down the top 25 of each in those positions. Here’s a look at the guards ranked between 15 and 6 in the updated rankings for the class of 2021. 15) [player_tooltip player_id="697140" first="Jacob" last="Cooper"] | 5’9” | Green Run (#41 Overall) <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/11/Cooper-Jake.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1089603" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/11/Cooper-Jake-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> It’s time to stop sleeping on him because of his size, and if I can admit it its time for everyone to admit it. Cooper is as skilled and heady as any PG I have come across, and he’s a guy who can bring it against pretty much anyone and has gotten the best of many guys who are ranked higher and more sought after than him. He was the catalyst for their state championship last year, he’s a true floor general that leads his troops and makes everyone better and he’s a guy who is extremely smooth and can pretty much out think or out play anyone that is put in front him. He holds multiple D2 offers and should see more recruitment coming his way soon. 14) [player_tooltip player_id="1091483" first="Greg" last="Spurlock"] | 6’4” | Rock Ridge (#37 Overall) Spurlock is a late bloomer that doesn’t play for the best program in NOVA, but Coppin State did their homework to find and offer him and he could be a steal at the next level for them. At 6’4”, Spurlock has great size at the point guard position and he isn’t a guy who can just dribble so we call him a point guard, he is a true PG that has great vision and decision making and makes the right play in almost every situation. He can score it in bunches out to the three-point line, he runs the PnR very well and he trust his teammates and puts them in a position to succeed regularly. 13) [player_tooltip player_id="957951" first="Kobe" last="Jerome"] | 6’3” | Blue Ridge (#32 Overall) Jerome, whose brother was a star at UVA, has shown time and time again over the past few years that he may not be his brother, but he has similar styles to his game with the ability to sling it around with both hands and the ability to shoot it at a high clip from deep. A UC Riverside commit, Jerome is the ultimate glue guy with his high IQ, his ability to make the right play on both ends and his steady demeanor on the court. He’s a guy who will hit an open three at one point, come help side to take a charge on the defensive end, the throw a left handed hook pass across the zone to a wide open shooter. That’s the type of stuff that makes him so valuable to his team. 12) Tyshun “TK” Bryant | 6’3” | Miller School (#31 Overall) Bryant is a guy that hasn’t had much of a chance to make an impact in the VA hoops scene because an injury limited him last year in his first season at Miller, but if they’re able to play this year he could be one of the surprise seniors this year. A gritty NYC style guard with good size and athleticism, Bryant is a guy who refuses to lose and has a great competitive spirit, and he’s someone who sets the tone and is easy to follow on both ends. He can get to the rim with ease and finish through traffic, he’ll guard the other teams best player and he makes guys on his team better as well. 11) [player_tooltip player_id="748763" first="Christian" last="Moore"] | 6’1” | Cape Henry (#28 Overall) <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/11/Moore-Christian-CBG.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1080645" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/11/Moore-Christian-CBG-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> Moore has consistently been one of the most lethal scoring guards in the 757, and it’s mind boggling with his play on the court and his performance in the classroom that he doesn’t have more opportunities to play at the next level now. The 6’1” lead guard is a lethal shooter from deep who can create space off the bounce and has range out past the NBA line, and he’s done a great job rounding out his game to become more of an all-around point as well. He’s crafty off the bounce and can get in the lane easily, he’s an athletic finisher and finds his way to the line often and he can make plays for others when the defense starts to hone in on him. 10) [player_tooltip player_id="798682" first="Elvin" last="Edmonds"] | 6’2” | Hopewell (#24 Overall) <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Edmonds-Elvin-MVP.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1023817" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Edmonds-Elvin-MVP-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> Edmonds has been as consistent as anyone in the state over the past few years, and while he was a stud from day one and averaged double figures as a freshman, he showed improvements in his game as well as he turned himself from a spot up shooter to a true combo guard who can do a little of everything off the bounce. He isn’t the most athletic guy but Edmonds has a great IQ and toughness about him, he’s able to create his own shots at multiple levels and he’s a lights out shooter from deep who can get it going quickly and doesn’t go through long cold stretches. A terrific student in the classroom as well, he’ll head to Patriot League power Bucknell where he’ll fit in perfectly. 9) [player_tooltip player_id="697100" first="Quadir" last="Pettaway"] | 6’0” | Woodside (#22 Overall) One of the most talented scoring guards in the state, Pettaway was really big in helping Miller to the state finals his sophomore year and was one of their go-to guys last year, and he’ll head home to Woodside where he adds yet another scoring threat to a deep team. Pettaway is an isolation style guard who has great footwork, plays with good space and is adept at creating space and making difficult shots at multiple levels. He’s wired to go and is always coming at his opponents, and he’s the type of guy who can get it going and easily take over a game with his scoring ability. 8) [player_tooltip player_id="798688" first="Jaylani" last="Darden"] | 6’3” | Norview (#19 Overall) <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Darden-Jaylani.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1024415" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Darden-Jaylani-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> Darden was right in the running for Class 5 POY after helping Norview to a state championship last year, and he was set to have a chance to show off in the EYBL with Boo Williams this summer until everything got shut down. The way I describe Darden is by saying he’s a “utility guard,” someone with the size, length and overall skill set to play pretty much any position on the perimeter. He’s a good playmaker in transition where he can handle the rock and see the floor, he can use his size to guard multiple positions and he’s improved off the ball as a shooter. He’s committed to Longwood in the Big South and should fit into their multi guard system well. 7) [player_tooltip player_id="687573" first="Kenard" last="Richardson"] | 6’3” | Life Christian Academy (#17 Overall) <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/IMG_0872.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1065187" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/IMG_0872-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> There are a lot of tough guys on this list and throughout the state of VA, but if I had to pick someone to have my back in an alley fight there’s something about Richardson that just makes me feel like he’d be able to get it done. I’ve been watching him for over 4 years now and if there’s one thing he doesn’t do it is back down from anyone in any situations. He’s a hard nosed defender who will take on the other team’s best player, he’s a tough slasher on the offensive end who will come at you time and time again and his skill set has improved immensely over the past few years in terms of his ability to shoot the basketball and create shots for himself and others. 6) [player_tooltip player_id="798691" first="Jason" last="Nelson"] | 5’9” | John Marshall (#12 Overall) <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/Nelson-Jason-CBG.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1061581" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/Nelson-Jason-CBG-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> Another dog on the court who has a competitive chip that you rarely see, Nelson has one of the best resumes of anyone in the state with two state championships and would have likely got a third one this year if Richmond Schools didn’t cancel their season. He’s not the most physically intimidating guy, but Nelson has all of the winning characteristics as a floor general, and when push comes to shove he’ll be the guy that will step up and take over when he needs to. He’s equally effective as a scorer and a distributor, he runs the team like a hot knife through butter and he doesn’t care how big you or your name is, he’s going to come at you. He has committed to Richmond where they have had success with guards just like him in the past.