2026 Watch List: PG Positional Breakdown

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yesterday we released our first edition of the class of 2026 watch list and the number of potential elite prospects in this class is quite impressive. Because we like to give the younger groups of players a full year of high school basketball experience before officially ranking them, we should be able to place them in a formal ranking format on our next update. We open up our coverage of the 2026 class by breaking down some of the top point guard prospects on the list.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1956543' first='Caleb' last='Newton'], Birmingham</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Newton brings great feel as a scorer to the floor with his ability to fill up the stat sheet with baskets from anywhere on the floor. At 6-feet-1, he possesses great positional size, an already strong frame and a combination of speed and athleticism that helped him compete and hold his own on the varsity level from day one. Newton's best attribute as a player at this point is his perimeter shooting ability. Newton has a fluid pull up jumper from three-point and mid-range levels of the floor and has the downhill driving and finishing ability to be a scoring threat in transition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1956469' first='CJ' last='Aldrich'], Rancho Buena Vista</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aldrich is one of the more talented scorers and playmakers in the San Diego area and has a chance to be the top point guard prospects in that region, as well. The 5-foot-10 guard put up impressive scoring numbers as a freshman as he averaged 19.8 points per game on 50 percent from the field and 41 percent from three. Aldrich is a smooth and crafty ball handler who brings great feel and decision-making to the position. Definitely a prospect to track in the San Diego area.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1956461' first='Jason' last='Crowe Jr']., Lynwood</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you're a fan or follower of high school basketball you most certainly know about Crowe's historic-level freshman season at Lynwood. The 6-foot-3 lefty averaged a staggering 36 points per game including multiple 40 and 50-point efforts. Crowe's scoring abilities were shown in every way imaginable: NBA-range three-pointers, drives and finishes through multiple defenders, pull-up jumpers and honestly you name it and he can do it. What makes Crowe such an intriguing prospect is his advanced feel and mature approach to the game at such a young age.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1956504' first='Joe' last='Sterling'], Crespi</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sterling brings a high level combination of basketball IQ and scoring ability to the floor. At 6-feet-3 with elite three-point shooting touch, Sterling is more than just a guy who can knock down catch-and-shoot three's or dribble jumpers, though he does that quite well. Sterling showed that he can initiate offense, break defenders down off the bounce and be a primary playmaker - for himself and teammates - at the point guard spot. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1956542' first='Kaiden' last='Bailey'], Crean Lutheran</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The theme for the 2022-23 season in SoCal was the emergence of high level scorers among 2026 prospects and Bailey, along with Crowe mentioned above, is among the best of the bunch. The 6-foot-3 freshman is a lethal three-point and mid-range jump shooter who scored in bunches this season. Bailey was best when put in isolation situations and used the dribble and creativity off the bounce to get to his spots. He wasn't just a shooter, either, as his finishing ability around the basket was also high level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->