2026 Under the Radar Guards to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The summer months are flying by as July is almost over. The rising sophomore class is set to make their mark on the 2023-24 season, especially in the backcourt. Here are the 2026 under the radar guards to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1788762' first='Will' last='Spross'], 6'2 PG St. Joseph Academy</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Spross had a strong July and it should carry over into the upcoming season. The 6'2 guard has a good release on his jumper and sets his feet before he shoots. Spross is more than just a shooter as he can also get to the rim off the bounce and finish around the basket. He knows how to play off the ball as well and is an underrated defender. Spross is set for a breakout 2023-24 season with his ability to knock down jumpers from distance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1985469' first='Gavin' last='Randall'], 5'11 PG Madison</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Randall had a solid debut season and should take the next step this winter. The 5'11 guard has a good handle, which he uses to beat his defender off the bounce and finish around the rim. Randall has a clean shooting stroke and can make opponents pay for giving him space behind the arc. He moves his feet on the defensive end and is a strong rebounder for a guard. Randall is a gritty guard prospect whose stock should rise with his ability to play at both ends of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1790208' first='Woo' last='Cannon'], 6'3 SG Hamilton West</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cannon is an intriguing guard prospect with his combination of size and athleticism. The 6'3 guard shoots the ball with confidence from deep and wastes little motion in his shot. Cannon moves well without the ball in his hands, freeing himself for open layups and jumpers in the halfcourt. He has the length to defend multiple positions on the floor and is an underrated passer. Cannon's ability to stretch the floor and defend the ball is something that will help his stock in a big way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1948972' first='Ilan' last='Santos'], 6'1 CG St. Mary's Rutherford</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Santos is a play-making guard prospect who should get more touches on the offensive end this season. The 6'1 guard has a nice handle, which he uses to get into the paint and finish around the basket. Santos can also score in the mid-range and play off the ball in a pinch. He is a strong on-ball defender as he makes it hard for his man to get to his spot on the floor. Santos is a gritty guard prospect who should make plays for the Gaels throughout the 2023-24 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1775138' first='Tyler' last='Cameron'], 6'0 CG St. Rose</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cameron is a defensive pest who should have a strong 2023-24 season. The 6'0 guard uses his quick hands to get deflections on the defensive end and slides his feet well. Cameron is unafraid of diving on the floor for loose balls and is a good finisher around the basket. He moves well without the ball in his hands and is unselfish with the ball in his hands. Cameron's ability to defend the ball and play without the ball in his hands is something that will help his stock in a big way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->