Updated 2023 Rankings: Guards (5-1)

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.   Here's a look at the top 5 point and combo guards in the new rankings.   5) [player_tooltip player_id='1241877' first='Cameron' last='Cole'] | 6'3” PG | Highland School (#17 Overall)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/12/Cole-Cam.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/12/Cole-Cam.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1341076" /></a></figure>   The Navy commit stuck around Highland School when a lot of his teammates left after the coaching change, and it's proved to be a great decision as he's having a huge senior season and has them sitting as one of the top teams in the VISAA D2 rankings. At 6'3” he has a great frame and good size and the point guard position, he's a true floor general who has a great feel for the game and makes everyone on his team better and he sets the tone on both ends as a good defender and with his ability to control the tempo. He's improved a lot as a scorer and has accepted the role as a go-to guy this year, and he's elevated his game across the board as the senior leader for this surprising team.   4) [player_tooltip player_id='999619' first='Yuri' last='Manns'] | 6'3” CG | LC Bird (#13 Overall)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/10/Manns-Yuri-CBG.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/10/Manns-Yuri-CBG.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1302372" /></a></figure>   Manns is one of the top uncommitted players in the state, and the scoring combo guard has been fantastic leading his LC Bird team against a very tough schedule that they have played. At 6'3” Manns has grown and filled out quite a bit over the past year, he has started to get downhill where he's playing well above the rim and is finishing through contact well and he's a smart scorer who knows how to create space and draw contact to get easy shots. He's a true three level scorer who can get it going quickly and has takeover scoring ability, and he's put up huge numbers all season showing a very impressive bag as a scorer.   3) [player_tooltip player_id='1231823' first='AJ' last='Wills'] | 6'1” PG | Shining Stars Academy (#12 Overall)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/Wills-AJ-scaled.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/Wills-AJ-scaled.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1583810" /></a></figure>   Wills is one of the most talented players in the state and is a very intriguing point guard prospect who has a lot of tools and is still uncommitted at this point in the season. The 6'1” lead guard is a natural athlete who has a lightning quick first step and blazing speed in the open court, he can get downhill where he's both explosive and crafty as a finisher in the paint and in traffic and he has the ability to run the pick-and-roll and break down defenders in isolation situations to get in the lane and make plays. He's an all-around guard with the ability to impact the game in a number of different ways and at this point could be a steal for a program at the next level.   2) [player_tooltip player_id='999649' first='Etienne' last='Strothers'] | 6'2” PG | Menchville (#11 Overall)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/Strothers-Etienne-CBG-scaled.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/Strothers-Etienne-CBG-scaled.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1584921" /></a></figure>   We've watched Strothers grow over the past few years from an athletic and talented prospect as a young player to a well-rounded lead guard who can both score it and make plays for others with the ball in his hands. He's an explosive athlete with long arms and pogo stick legs that can get in the lane and elevate as a finisher and in the midrange with the pull-up, he can knock down shots from deep both off the catch and off the bounce and he has great feel and knows where his teammates are at all times. The App State commit has really improved in simplifying the game and making it easier for him and his teammates, and has become a leader and floor general over time.   1) [player_tooltip player_id='992530' first='Trevor' last='Smith'] | 6'0” PG | Woodside (#8 Overall)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/04/Smith-Trevor-Loaded.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/04/Smith-Trevor-Loaded.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1438616" /></a></figure>   Smith has been one of the top guard prospects in the state since he arrived as a freshman, and the Richmond commit is a dual threat as a playmaker and scoring threat that can create for himself and others with ease. He's very shifty off the bounce as he can change speeds and directions effortlessly to get in the lane, he has great footwork and body control when he gets to his spots to be able to rise up and knock down contested shots in the midrange and he's a very good finisher in traffic that can finish through contact and over bigger defenders. He's a good on ball defender and is very good at jumping passing lanes off the ball, and he's not afraid of taking big shots with the game on the line either.

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.