Updated 2023 Rankings: Guards (15-6)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We recently updated our senior class rankings in the state of VA, and we will take a look at each positional ranking from guards, wings and forwards. Obviously some of these players are positionless players that can fit in multiple spots, but we did our best to categorize them based on their skillset.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at part two of our rankings for point and combo guards in the new rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>15) [player_tooltip player_id='1403923' first='Dj' last='Holloway'] | 6'0” CG | Hayfield (#57 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Holloway has been a huge part of Hayfield's run over the past two seasons, and he's having a huge senior season in which they are favored to repeat as state champions. The 6'0” combo guard is super dynamic as he can get downhill and finishes above the rim in traffic, he is a menace defensively who can guard the ball the length of the floor and jump passing lanes and he brings great energy to his team on both ends of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>14) Sam Brannen | 6'0” PG | King's Fork (#51 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1583804,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/Brannen-Sam-CBG-scaled.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/Brannen-Sam-CBG-scaled.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1583804" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brannen is one of the most skilled point guards in the 757 and is a big reason that King's Fork is the favorite for the VHSL Class 4 state championship, and his ability to run the show while also being the go-to scoring threat is very impressive. He runs the pick-and-roll like it's a clinic and can deliver every pass out of it, he's a knock down shooter from deep both off the catch and off the bounce and he is a very good finisher over bigger defenders in the paint.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>13) [player_tooltip player_id='999651' first='Logan' last='Rhoades'] | 6'2” CG | Mills Godwin (#47 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1200283,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/05/Rhoades-Logan-Head-Shot.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/05/Rhoades-Logan-Head-Shot.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1200283" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rhoades has had quite the career between his three years at Mills Godwin and last year at Blue Ridge, and the two sport star has options to play both football and basketball in college. The 6'2” combo is a high IQ and highly skilled player who makes the right play on both ends of the floor, he can shoot it from deep consistently and he's underrated in his ability to put it on the deck and create for himself and others off the bounce.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>12) [player_tooltip player_id='1256339' first='Donovan' last='Bass'] | 6'1” PG | Hayfield (#46 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1604692,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/29-Donovan-Bass-scaled.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/29-Donovan-Bass-scaled.jpg?w=683" alt="" class="wp-image-1604692" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bass was a new addition to this Hayfield team that lost two of their starters in the backcourt from last year, and he's had a seamless transition and has been huge for them so far this year. He's a true floor general who runs the show and makes great reads that makes everyone on his team better, he sets the tone on both ends of the floor and is an excellent defender both on and off the ball and he scores it efficiently while making big shots for them throughout the year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>11) Nasir Coleman | 6'0” PG | Patriot (#44 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1355290,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/12/Coleman-Nasir.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/12/Coleman-Nasir.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1355290" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coleman is another one of the top floor generals in the NOVA area, and he's probably the biggest reason that Patriot has been one of the top teams in the state this year. He's a lightning quick guard with a great first step and the ability to change speeds and directions to get in the lane, he makes great reads and makes good decisions as to when to score or distribute and when to push the tempo and slow it down and he's a big time on ball defender who makes ball handlers uncomfortable.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>10) [player_tooltip player_id='1232156' first='Connor' last='Lane'] | 6'3” CG | Twin Springs (#42 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lane is one of the best players in SWVA and is a big reason that Twin Springs is one of the favorites in Class 1, as he has takeover ability and can get buckets against pretty much anyone. The 6'3” combo guard is super smooth with the ball in his hands and can create space and score it from all 3 levels, he can move off the ball where he can work to get open and has a quick release on catch-and-shoot opportunities and he's a good rebounder and playmaker as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>9) [player_tooltip player_id='999644' first='Stark' last='Jones'] | 6'3” CG | Cave Spring (#39 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1364071,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/01/Jones-Stark-Cave-Spring.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/01/Jones-Stark-Cave-Spring.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1364071" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jones was an All State selection last year while leading Cave Spring to a state championship, and he's having a great senior season for the Knights as one of the top two way guards in the Roanoke area. He's a big and physical guard with good athleticism that thrives when he can get downhill and finish at and above the rim, defensively he's excellent as he has quick hands and jumps passing lanes to force turnovers and he can create off the bounce in half court sets too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>8) [player_tooltip player_id='999643' first='Margad' last='Choijilsuren'] | 6'4” CG | Fairfax (#28 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Choijilsuren took a huge leap in the rankings as he's been one of the top players in the NOVA public schools and has put up big numbers all-around throughout the season so far. The 6'4” combo guard is one of the most underrated prospects in the state as he has prototypical size at the guard position, he can score the ball from all three levels and in a number of different ways, he produces as a rebounder and a defender and he's a high IQ and skilled playmaker as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>7) [player_tooltip player_id='1403920' first='Jordan' last='Horne'] | 6'2” PG | Miller School (#22 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1497784,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/06/Horne-Jordan-Miller.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/06/Horne-Jordan-Miller.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1497784" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Horne has been one of the most improved players in the state over the past few years, and against a very tough schedule that Miller School has played this year he's shown the ability to produce as a floor general on both ends of the floor. He's strong with the ball and is able to handle pressure and make plays through it, he gets downhill and uses his strength to finish around the rim and defensively he really shines as he can guard the ball and uses his strength to force ball handlers into traps and force turnovers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>6) [player_tooltip player_id='992531' first='John' last='St. Germain'] | 6'2” PG | STAB (#19 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1356693,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/12/St.-Germain-John-STAB-1.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/12/St.-Germain-John-STAB-1.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1356693" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>St. Germain has dealt with some injuries this season and when he was out is when STAB struggled the most as he's the straw that stirs the drink and is perhaps the best traditional floor general in the state. The 6'2” guard is one of the few players I'd call “ambidextrous” as he can use either hand fluidly to handle or make difficult passes, he makes terrific reads in the pick-and-roll and catches defenses in rotation to deliver passes on the money and he's very good at drawing and finishing through contact when he gets in the paint. He's the type of player who makes his team better across the board and he's capable of scoring it in different ways when he needs to, and he has STAB sitting as one of the top teams in VISAA D1 right now.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->