Updated 2023 Rankings: Guards Rankings (15-6)
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The updated 2023 class rankings in VA came out last week, and with that will come a lot of content in the next week or so! Today, we take a look at part 2 of the point guards and combo…
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Continue ReadingThe updated 2023 class rankings in VA came out last week, and with that will come a lot of content in the next week or so!
Today, we take a look at part 2 of the point guards and combo guards, ranking numbers 15-6.
Check out the full rankings here, and stay tuned for more content and class rankings updates!
15) Cameron Cole Cameron Cole 6'4" | PG Highland | 2023 State VA | 6’1” | Highland School (#49 Overall)
Cole was a new addition to Highland this year and he was a big reason for them to make their run to the VISAA D2 state championship game before falling to Blue Ridge. He’s an all-around guard who can be productive as both a facilitator and a scorer, he’s slippery off the bounce and can get in the lane and he can create space and make shots on the perimeter and he has a good IQ and feel for the game as well.
14) Stark Jones Stark Jones 6'3" | CG Cave Spring | 2023 State VA | 6’3” | Cave Spring (#47 Overall)
Jones is starting to solidify himself as one of the top prospects in the Roanoke area, and the most intriguing part about him long term is he has come a long way physically and athletically but still has a lot of room to grow as well. At 6’3” he’s a combo guard who gets downhill aggressively and finishes at and above the rim with authority, he is a lock down defender who moves his feet and has good hands and he has improved as a shooter from deep and the midrange as well.
13) Samuel Brannen Samuel Brannen 6'0" | CG King’s Fork | 2023 State VA | 5’11” | King’s Fork (#41 Overall)
Brannen took a good jump in these rankings after transferring to King’s Fork and showing he can be very effective playing with other talented players and playmakers as well. He’s a highly skilled guard who plays with good pace and has good vision and IQ for the game, he’s a talented shooter both off the catch and off the bounce and he just knows how to play and makes the right play on both ends consistently.
12) Robbie Matos | 5’10” | Blue Ridge (#38 Overall)
Matos transferred to Blue Ridge from VES and was a big reason they went on to win their fourth straight state championship as he fit in their uptempo, high pressure system perfectly, but he also emerged as a division one football player as he had to play two sports due to Blue Ridge School rules (even though his bother is in the NFL). He’s a super gifted athlete with great quickness and end-to-end speed, he’s explosive when he gets downhill and can rise and finish among bigger players and laterally he’s very quick and is an absolute pest defensively.
11) Jordan Horne Jordan Horne 6'1" | PG Miller School | 2023 VA | 6’2” | Miller School (#37 Overall)
Horne was one of the breakout players in the class this season after transferring to Miller and making a helping them to the state semifinals, and he showed that he may be a division one player here in the future. He’s a big strong guard who can get in the lane and make plays or finish through contact, he can keep defenders in front of him defensively and throughout the season eh showed tremendous improvement in his decision making and the way he ran a team.
10) Justin Janaski Justin Janaski 6'2" | CG Scotland Campus | 2023 State PA | 6’2” | Paul VI (#30 Overall)
Boggs joined a PVI team that really needed a shooter, and he was a big addition to helping them to yet another VISAA D1 Championship. While he’s known as a shooter because he has a quick release with deep range and consistency, he’s also an explosive athlete who can get in the lane off the bounce and finish at the rim, he’s a solid defender and a good playmaker as well.
9) Wesley Williams Wesley Williams 6'0" | CG Fairfax Christian | 2024 VA | 6’0” | Independence (#29 Overall)
Williams is one of the more talented guards in the public school leagues in Northern VA and he’s helped a newer school in Independence that’s only been open for a few years become one of the most talented teams in the state. He’s a true floor general that can run the show and make others better, he plays with good pace and is able to create space and get in the lane at will and he’s able to knock down shots from all three levels too.
8) Khalil Williams Khalil Williams 6'5" | SG Potomac (McLean, VA) | 2023 State VA | 6’1” | Potomac School (#25 Overall)
Williams is one of the most talented guards on this list, particularly when it comes to scoring the basketball as he makes tough shots from multiple levels and has the ability to take over basketball games with his scoring ability. He’s a crafty lefty who can get to spots off the bounce and is able to make contested shots, he can knock it down from deep with consistency, he has a quick first step that’s hard to stay in front of and once he gets it going he’s a nightmare to stop.
7) Etienne Strothers Etienne Strothers 6'1" | PG Menchville | 2023 State VA | 6’2” | Menchville (#23 Overall)
Strothers is emerging as one of the most talented guards in the 757 and he’s set to blow up this summer on the AAU scene with his mix of size, athleticism and dual threat ability to score it and make others better. He’s the type of guard who can burn you from deep both off the catch and off the bounce, he can attack closeouts or use hesitations to get in the one and finish at the rim or make plays for others and he continues to get both more explosive in his finishing ability while also playing more under control with the ball in his hands.
6) Mason So Mason So 6'1" | PG DeMatha | 2023 State MD | 6’1” | St. Stephen’s St. Agnes (#18 Overall)
So has dealt with some injuries over the past few years but he bounced back this year to help SSSAS to the state championship game before falling to Paul VI, and this summer will be his chance to show he can play multiple roles and he’ll be set up to be the go-to guy for the Saints next year. At 6’1” he isn’t the most athletic guard but he’s strong and plays with pace, he can play on or off the basketball, he’s able to get to spots and score the ball from all over the floor and he has a good IQ and command of the game with the ball in his hands.