2026 Lead Guards Who can Have a Big July
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The live period is here as Fourth of July weekend is coming to a close. The rising sophomore class is set to make their marks on the summer, especially in the backcourt. Here are the 2026 lead guards who could…
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Continue ReadingThe live period is here as Fourth of July weekend is coming to a close. The rising sophomore class is set to make their marks on the summer, especially in the backcourt. Here are the 2026 lead guards who could have a big month.
Deron Rippey Jr. Deron Rippey Jr. 6'1" | PG Blair Academy | 2026 State NJ , 6’1 Blair Academy
Rippey Jr. started off Peach Jam strong and is looking to continue his success throughout the rest of the tournament. The 6’1 guard is shifty off the bounce as he explodes off the floor for layups and dunks. Rippey Jr. threads passes to open teammates in the halfcourt and pushes the pace well in transition. He is a tough on-ball defender who makes it tough for his man to get to his spot on the floor. Rippey Jr. is an athletic guard prospect who should make plays throughout the month.
Richie Rosa Richie Rosa 6'0" | PG St. Peter's Prep | 2026 State NJ , 6’0 St. Peter’s Prep
Rosa is one of the top guard prospects in the class and should put it on display in July. The 6’0 guard has a tight handle, which he uses to get to the rim and finish around the basket. Rosa plays with good court vision and rarely makes bad decisions with the ball in his hands. He gets deflections on the defensive end and has the ability to play off the ball as well. Rosa is a tough guard prospect and will put it on display over the next couple of weeks.
Jalen Grant Jalen Grant 6'0" | PG Roselle Catholic | 2026 State NJ , 6’0 Roselle Catholic
Grant has the potential to break out this July with his ability to control the offense and score in a number of ways. The 6’0 guard has a smooth release on his jumper as he can get hot from distance in a hurry. Grant is more than just a shooter as he can also get into the paint and finish. He moves his feet on the defensive end and does not get flustered by on-ball pressure. Grant’s ability to score the ball in a number of ways is something that should help his stock this month.
Jayden Holman Jayden Holman 6'1" | PG Arts | 2026 State NJ , 6’0 Arts
Holman is an intriguing prospect to watch in the class with his ability to impact the game in a variety of ways. The 6’0 guard has a good handle, which he uses to get into the paint to make plays. Holman is a crafty finisher around the basket and finds his teammates for open shots in the halfcourt. He uses his long arms to create deflections on the defensive end and slides his feet well. Holman is a talented guard prospect who two-way ability will help his game nicely.
Ethan Lin Ethan Lin 6'3" | PG Montgomery | 2026 State NJ , 6’3 Montgomery
Lin is one of the more interesting prospects in the class for his ability to play on or off the ball. The 6’3 guard has a quick first step, which he uses to get to the rim off the bounce and finishes well around the basket. Lin can also score in the mid-range and rises up with confidence on his jumper. He has the size to defend both backcourt spots and is a solid rebounder for a guard. Lin is a guard prospect to watch in the class with his combination of size, skill and length.
Other Prospects to Watch:
Jaron Barnett Jaron Barnett 5'8" | PG Montclair Immaculate | 2026 State NJ , 5’8 Immaculate Conception
Isaiah Gore Isaiah Gore 6'2" | PG Trenton Catholic Preparatory Academy | 2026 State NJ , 6’2 Trenton Catholic
Ty Barlow Ty Barlow 5'6" | PG Weequahic | 2026 State NJ , 5’6 Weequahic
Jaden Mason Jaden Mason 6'0" | PG Paterson Kennedy | 2026 State NJ , 6’0 Paterson Kennedy
Mikah Hart Mikah Hart 6'0" | PG Kingsway | 2026 PA , 6’0 Kingsway