Top Six Guards Added to the 2025 Rankings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We added 11 guards to the 2025 rankings. In order to celebrate the entire group, we split them in two groups.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are the top six guards added to the 2025 rankings:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#9 - [player_tooltip player_id='1408946' first='Corbin' last='Johnson'], 6-foot-3 point guard, 2025, Kapaun:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When you're surrounded by all-state caliber talent, it's easy to fly under the radar. But we definitely noticed the importance of Johnson's contribution to the 5A runner-up Crusaders. He scored 19 points in the crucial semifinal game against Hutchinson, hitting five 3-pointers. On the season he dished out 4.5 assists per game to go with his 11 points. He shot a remarkable 50% from deep on the campaign. We aren't the only ones who noticed. Johnson earned 5A honorable mention from just about every media outlet.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#23 - [player_tooltip player_id='1962886' first='Cole' last='Pladson'], 5-foot-10 shooting guard, 2025, Clay Center:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pladson's Tigers went just 9-14, but got hot at the right time and advanced to the state tournament. The muscular sophomore guard was a big reason why, leading the team with 14 points per game. He earned first-team in the North Central Kansas League and got some honorable mention all-state accolades. He really got noticed when he dropped five 3-pointers in the second half of the state loss to Hugoton.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#36 - [player_tooltip player_id='1962887' first='Amare' last='Jones'], 6-foot point guard, 2025, Washburn Rural:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jones earned trust and more playing time as the season progressed, eventually earning second-team honors in the Centannial League. The sophomore grew as the trigger man, nearly leading the team to 6A state when it was all over. His 6 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists and 36% from deep earned him honorable mention from KSHSAA.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#41 - [player_tooltip player_id='1609657' first='Jayden' last='Lang'], 6-foot combo guard, 2025, De Soto (pictured):</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An impressive multi-sport athlete, Lang stepped into a crowded group of returners and immediately earned a role. With a dynamic point guard and other guards already in place, Lang played off the ball, on the wing and even in the paint for the Wildcats. He was dynamic on the drive, a lanky slasher with a good handle who can draw contact and get buckets in traffic. Lang earned 5A honorable mention from Sports in Kansas and was voted second-team United Kansas Conference.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#45 - [player_tooltip player_id='1962889' first='Van' last='Collins'] 6-foot-2 shooting guard, 2025, Shawnee Mission Northwest:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Collins is a natural scorer. Second on a state-bound team in scoring, he averaged 12 points on a team loaded with talented 2025s. Collins hit 49% from the field, 35% from deep and 78% from the line. In the Cougars' 6A state opening round loss to eventual champ Blue Valley Northwest, Collins accounted for 11 points. He received honorable mention from the Sunflower Conference.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>48 - [player_tooltip player_id='1624971' first='Coley' last='Burgess'], 5-foot-10 shooting guard, 2025, Rock Creek:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Burgess is a smaller version of Collins, a guard who can really score, particularly off the drible. He plays with intensity, creativity and fearlessness, using his handle to get shots in the midrange and around the goal. Burgess earned 4A honorable mention from KSHSAA and was voted second team in the Mid-East League.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->