Updated 2023 Rankings: Guards Rankings (25-16)

<p>We have updated our 2023 class rankings and have been breaking down content over the past few weeks. Here, we will take a look at rankings by position, breaking it down into three categories: Guards, wings and bigs.</p> <p>Here’s a look at part one of the guards rankings, ranking the best point and combo guards from numbers 25-16.</p> <p>To see the entire class of 2023 rankings, click <a href="https://prephoops.com/virginia/rankings/2023-rankings/">here</a>.</p> <p><strong>25) [player_tooltip player_id="1241905" first="Corey" last="Caulker"] | 5’11” | Fairfax Christian (#76 Overall)</strong></p> <p>Caulker will be part of a likely two point guard set at Fairfax Christian this year and he’ll be more of the facilitator and floor general which fits his style of play very well. He’s a smooth guard with good feel and vision, he plays with good pace and changes speeds and he makes winning plays on both ends of the floor.</p> <p><strong>24) [player_tooltip player_id="1118685" first="Kullen" last="Robinson"] | 6’0” | Bishop Ireton (#72 Overall)</strong></p> <p>Robinson is part of a young Ireton team that may be it’s most talented in a long time, and he’ll have the reigns to run the team and he’s the perfect guy to do it with his playmaking ability and how he sets the tone on both ends. He’s a smooth guard who can play at multiple speeds, makes others better, brings it defensively and can score it when he needs to off the bounce.</p> <p><strong>23) [player_tooltip player_id="815592" first="Amari" last="Gray"] | 6’0” | Life Christian Academy (#68 Overall)</strong></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/09/Gray-Amari.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1049780" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/09/Gray-Amari-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p>Gray transferred to LCA and reclassified last season, and with the departure of [player_tooltip player_id="687573" first="Kenard" last="Richardson"] he’ll be able to have the ball in his hands more this year. He’s a strong combo guard who gets downhill and can finish in the lane, he has good feel and playmaking ability and he’s an excellent rebounder at his position who isn’t afraid to mix it up.</p> <p><strong>22) [player_tooltip player_id="1107884" first="Stylz" last="Gardner"] | 5’11” | Peninsula Catholic (#60 Overall)</strong></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/11/Garnder-Stylz.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1082850" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/11/Garnder-Stylz-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p>Gardner announced he will reclassify at PC after a huge season last year, and he’s easily one of the top scoring guards in the 757 and will finish his career with a lot of points when it’s all said and done. He’s crafty and skilled on the ball, he shoots it extremely well from deep and he’s able to get hot quickly and take over games with his shooting ability.</p> <p><strong>21) [player_tooltip player_id="999631" first="Aiden" last="Filipiano"] | 6’2” | Catholic (#58 Overall)</strong></p> <p>Filipiano is a coaches dream as a combo guard as he has terrific size and does a little bit of everything to help his team win. He’s a blue collar guy who defends and brings great energy on the defensive end, he has a high IQ and good feel on the ball as a playmaker and he can score it well in the midrange and make shots from deep as well.</p> <p><strong>20) [player_tooltip player_id="999629" first="Samuel" last="Brannen"] | 6’0” | King’s Fork (#49 Overall)</strong></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/09/Brannen-Samuel.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1054333" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/09/Brannen-Samuel-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p>Brannen may not be the biggest or most athletic guy on the floor, but he always finds a way to be productive and help his team in a positive way with his energy, shooting and playmaking. He’s highly skilled and a smart kid on and off the court, he can make shots at a high clip from deep and he rarely makes bad decisions when he’s on the floor.</p> <p><strong>19) [player_tooltip player_id="999652" first="Troy" last="Giles"] | 5’11” | Smithfield (#48 Overall)</strong></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Giles-Troy.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1008199" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Giles-Troy-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p>Giles was a big reason that Smithfield won the Class 4 state championship last year, and he has had a great summer with BWSL Pace as well. The 5’11” lead guard has a toughness and is a natural leader that guys gravitate toward, he’s a skilled shot maker off the catch and off the bounce and he continues to become more and more explosive every time I see him play.</p> <p><strong>18) [player_tooltip player_id="999637" first="John" last="Awoke"] | 6’1” | Annandale (#47 Overall)</strong></p> <p>Awoke is one of the most underrated guys in the NOVA area and could make us look dumb for having him this low as he has already been an All Conference player and will be one of the top lead guards in the area next year. He’s a pass first floor general who runs the show and makes others better, he has good instincts on the defensive end and he can score it in a number of ways off the bounce.</p> <p><strong>17) [player_tooltip player_id="1232158" first="Doyle" last="Brown"] | 6’1” | Centreville (#46 Overall)</strong></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/Brown-Doyle-Head-Shot.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1190436" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/Brown-Doyle-Head-Shot-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p>Brown was a big reason that Centreville won the Class 6 state championship last year, and they graduate a lot of seniors that will have Brown sliding into a more pivotal role moving forward. He’s had a good summer with DBC and has great intangibles, can knock it down from deep with range that rivals the best of shooters and he competes and locks up on the perimeter defensively.</p> <p><strong>16) [player_tooltip player_id="1232156" first="Connor" last="Lane"] | 6’3” | Twin Springs (#44 Overall)</strong></p> <p>Lane is coming off of a big time sophomore campaign and should be one of the top guards in SWVA over the next few years. He’s a cerebral combo guard that can run the show and gets wherever he wants off the bounce, he can fill it up from multiple levels and is a good shooter from deep and he has good intangibles and makes winning plays on both ends.</p>