Updated 2025 Rankings: Guards in the Top 10
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We released our updated class of 2025 rankings for MD/DC last week. This group is one of the more talented classes that I’ve seen since covering high school five years ago. The amount of high-end talent found deep throughout speaks…
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Continue ReadingWe released our updated class of 2025 rankings for MD/DC last week. This group is one of the more talented classes that I’ve seen since covering high school five years ago. The amount of high-end talent found deep throughout speaks to why the area is considered a hotbed in recruiting conversations. Let’s dive into the guard who appeared in the top 10.
Nykolas Lewis Nykolas Lewis 6'2" | PG Gonzaga | 2025 State #146 Nation MD | Gonzaga/ Team Takeover
Ranking: No. 2
Lewis has held down the top guard spot for this class since the initial release and has shown no signs of letting up. He was the primary playmaker on the ball for head coach Steve Turner this winter and is playing up on the 17U level with Team Takeover on the EYBL Circuit where he has found his groove quickly. The 6’2 point guard takes what the defense gives him and can make his presence felt in several ways. Lewis can quickly get to the rim for crafty finishes, has the balance to pull up stopping on a dime and continues to improve the range on his jumper. He has good feel as a distributor and can dish out accurate dimes off the live dribble to those in the dunker’s spot or teammates spotting up around the perimeter.
Tyler Jackson Tyler Jackson 6'2" | CG St. Frances | 2025 #40 Nation MD | St. Frances/ Team Thrill
Ranking: No. 3
Jackson used the stage of national events this winter to springboard his name onto the national radar. When it comes to creating space to manufacture clean looks at the rim, there’s no one better in this class than the St. Frances standout. His ability to change pace, quickly cover space and comfortably get into his shot off in a split second makes life extremely tough for his defender. Like Lewis, Jackson can finish creatively around the bucket and does so with either hand. As he continues to progress as a distributor and a defender, Jackson’s full potential will begin to shine. For now, he remains one of the toughest guards on the UA Circuit regardless of class.
Jalen Rougier-Roane Jalen Rougier-Roane 6'5" | CG Sidwell Friends | 2025 State #142 Nation MD | Sidwell/ Team Takeover
Ranking: No. 4
The potential and upside are what is most intriguing with Rougier-Roane but make no mistake, he has already proven himself as a consistent producer for one of the best high school team in the country as a sophomore this past winter. He come with tremendous positional size at 6’5 and a frame that will continue to fill out over time. He can get it going from deep off the catch, uses his dribble for profit to get to his spots inside the arc and possesses the athleticism to throw it down on a defender if caught slipping. Rougier-Roane’s size and athleticism contributes to being a versatile defender at the high school level where he can guard four positions depending on the matchup.
Derek Dixon Derek Dixon 6'4" | SG Gonzaga | 2025 State #153 Nation MD | Gonzaga/ Team Takeover
Ranking: No. 5
Dixon has been on a heater this spring with Team Takeover 16U where he has manned the ship with Rougier-Roane and 2026 Jordan Smith missing the first few events due to injury. The 6’4 guard makes up the best backcourt duo in the DMV next to Lewis but has used the spring stage to prove himself as a dependable primary ball handler. Even with added responsibility of getting his team into half court sets, controlling the pace and other duties that come with being a point guard, Dixon’s overall efficiency hasn’t dropped off whatsoever. It’s no surprise that after the first live period, more high majors have offered Dixon while a slew of others have them heavily on their radar.
Acaden Lewis Acaden Lewis 6'2" | PG Sidwell Friends | 2025 State #149 Nation MD | Sidwell Friends/ Team Durant
Ranking: No. 9
Lewis is another 2025 prospect playing on the 17U EYBL Circuit, but this 6’2 southpaw sets the table for Team Durant . He has brought a healthy balance of scoring and distributing as the lead guard. Lewis uses a plethora of moves such as crossovers, step backs or quick one-dribble bursts to get to his spots before rising up. When he gets his defender on his back hip, he does a nice job of keeping them in jail and making reads based upon the backside defensive rotation. Like many of the guards on this list, Lewis likes to operate in ball screens and can make the defense pay with skip passes off the live dribble to shooters in the weak side corner.
Omarr Smith Omarr Smith 6'3" | SG City | 2025 State #319 Nation MD | City/ Team Thrill
Ranking: No. 10
Smith enters the top 10 in the latest update in large part due to his elite shooting capability from three. This past winter with Curley, Smith had to act more as an initiator to ensure production for his team, which ultimately allowed him to showcase more of his skillset off the bounce on a routine basis. Smith now stands close to 6’4 and has added significant pop to his athleticism around the rim to the point where he’s a legit lob-catcher with space in transition. So far this spring, the tandem of Jackson and Smith have formed a dominant backcourt duo that should only continue to prove itself as the summer approaches.