Updated 2024 Rankings: Guards (25-16)

We recently updated our junior 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 part one of the point and combo guards in the new rankings.   25) [player_tooltip player_id='1259672' first='EJ' last='Joyner'] | 5'8” PG | Peninsula Catholic (#82 Overall)   Joyner is one of the best pure point guards and floor generals in the state, as he has terrific feel for the game and a knack for making plays for others off the bounce. He is shifty with the ball in his hands and gets in the paint where he makes good reads, he is a good finisher with excellent footwork and can finish over bigger defenders and he sets the tone defensively and is a good on ball defender.   24) [player_tooltip player_id='1489097' first='Rashaad' last='Williams'] | 5'10” PG | Norfolk Collegiate (#80 Overall)   Williams is one of the best scoring guards in the 757, as he has a total package as a scorer that can play both on and off the ball and make tough shots from all over. He has great balance and footwork to create space and make shots off the bounce, he can finish around the rim with both hands and understands angles and he can move off the ball where he's a good catch-and-shoot guy too.   23) [player_tooltip player_id='1489089' first='Tony' last='Goodman'] | 6'0” CG | Manor (#78 Overall)   Goodman is the type of guard that you think of when you think of the 757, as he brings a mix of athleticism, toughness and has a lot of game as well. The 6'0” combo guard plays like he's much bigger as a good rebounder and finisher, he has a quick first step and is shifty off the bounce and he can make plays across the board on both ends of the floor.   22) [player_tooltip player_id='1260038' first='Ulysses' last='Young'] | 6'0” PG | Oscar Smith (#72 Overall)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/01/Young-Ulysses.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/01/Young-Ulysses.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1366917" /></a></figure>   “Chubbs,” as he's known by teammates and coaches, is one of the best floor generals in the 757 and is a big reason that Oscar Smith is sitting at 15-1 and is in a spot to compete for a state championship this year. He has fantastic feel as a playmaker and has great vision and passing ability, he plays with good pace and changes speeds and directions well off the bounce and he picks his spots and scores it efficiently too.   21) [player_tooltip player_id='1259671' first='Jahleel' last='Jackson'] | 6'1” PG | Hayfield (#69 Overall)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/Jackson-Jahleel-1-1-scaled.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/Jackson-Jahleel-1-1-scaled.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1603395" /></a></figure>   Jackson may be a little low on this list as he plays in a crowded backcourt and is sometimes overshadowed, but he has the ability to impact the game in so many ways. He's a strong guard who can get downhill and finish around the rim, he's a good shooter coming off of screens and in spot up situations and he's a very good defender both on the ball and in help side.   20) [player_tooltip player_id='999627' first='Wesley' last='Williams'] | 6'1” CG | Fairfax Christian (#68 Overall)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/04/Williams-Wes.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/04/Williams-Wes.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1161643" /></a></figure>   Williams is another guard that's probably a little too low on this list, as he's had a very good high school career and is a big reason that Fairfax Christian is the favorite in VISAA D3 again this year. He's a highly skilled guard who can play on or off the basketball, he can make shots from deep and in the midrange very well and he has good feel and makes plays for others with his passing ability.   19) [player_tooltip player_id='1579097' first='Ke'Juan' last='Richburg'] | 5'7” PG | Fairfax Christian (#66 Overall)   Richburg may not be the biggest guy on the floor, but he makes a huge impact with his ability to make plays on both ends of the floor. He's a lock down defender who can guard the length of the floor and forces turnovers with his ball pressure, he's excellent in transition where he has good speed and makes great reads and he can knock down shots in the half court from multiple levels.   18) [player_tooltip player_id='1489081' first='Jason' last='Penn'] | 6'0” PG | Marshall (#64 Overall)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/06/Penn-Jason.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/06/Penn-Jason.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1478575" /></a></figure>   Penn is one of the more underrated floor generals in the NOVA area, and he has a lot of tools that makes him impact the game in many different ways. He has great control of the game as he handles pressure well and controls the tempo, he gets in the lane easily and makes great reads in the pick-and-roll and he picks his spots and can score it in a lot of different ways.   17) [player_tooltip player_id='1259548' first='Brayden' last='Thorne'] | 6'1” PG | Catholic (#63 Overall)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/05/Thorne-Brayden.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/05/Thorne-Brayden.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1195674" /></a></figure>   Thorne is the floor general for a Catholic team that is sitting at 19-2 and one of the top teams in VISAA D1, and he's a threat to both score and make plays with the ball in his hands. He's a strong guard who can get in the lane and isn't afraid to be physical on the defensive end, he scores it efficiently both in the paint and from deep and he has great feel and vision as a playmaker.   16) [player_tooltip player_id='1259546' first='Jamari' last='Hodnett'] | 6'2” PG | Bishop Ireton (#56 Overall)   Hodnett is one of the most underrated players in the WCAC, and he is the ultimate glue guy who is an x-factor for his team. He has good size at the guard position and is a good playmaker who sees the floor and delivers passes on point, he plays with a great motor and is a good rebounder for his position and he really thrives defensively with his ability to stay in front and wreak havoc all over the place.

We recently updated our junior 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.