Bluegrass State Standouts: Top 2026 Shooting Guards

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After an action-packed season of high school basketball action in the Bluegrass State, it's time to look back at some of the most impressive performers on the court last year. To continue my "Bluegrass State Standouts" series, it's time to refocus our attention to the class of 2026 as we break down some intriguing freshman standouts. Without any further ado, here's my list of the top 2026 shooting guards in Kentucky to watch out for this upcoming season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1359133"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64a6f7963a82e"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At the top of my list of standouts is [player_tooltip player_id='1359133' first='Jacob' last='Spurlock'], a 6-foot-3 shooting guard at Boyd County High School. Spurlock was a huge difference maker on both sides of the floor for the Lions during his freshman stint of high school basketball last year. In 33 contests, Spurlock was the top scoring machine and the second-best rebounder on the team, picking up a total 652 points and 185 rebounds, averaging 19.8 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. The rising sophomore out of Ashland, KY. additionally shot 43.9% (234-533) from the field, 40.1% (120-299) from beyond the arc and 80.0% from the free throw line. In addition to excellent size, speed and versatility, what stands out about Spurlock is his well-balanced playstyle and ability to consistently contribute to the boards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1565983"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64a6f7963a885"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Claiming a second place finish on my list is [player_tooltip player_id='1565983' first='Trae' last='Cayson'], a 6-foot-1 shooting guard at Frederick Douglass High School. Cayson was a highly explosive talent on the Broncos' roster during his junior season of high school basketball last year. In 21 games, Cayson made significant contributions, picking up a total of 45 points and 23 rebounds, averaging 2.1 points and 1.1 rebounds per game. The rising sophomore out of Lexington, KY. additionally shot 47.5% (19-40) from field goal range, 33.3% (3-9) from beyond the three-point line and 30.8% (4-13) from the free throw line. In addition to excellent size and speed, Cayson impresses with his effort on the boards, well-balanced playstyle and ability to control the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1543623"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64a6f7963a8cc"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At number three on my list of standouts is [player_tooltip player_id='1543623' first='Jordan' last='Rawlings'], a 6-foot-3 shooting guard at North Laurel High School. Rawlings made a significant impact on both sides of the floor for the Panthers during his junior stint of high school basketball last year. In 21 contests, Rawlings logged valuable minutes, picking up a total of 27 points and eight rebounds, averaging 1.3 points and 0.4 rebounds per game. The rising sophomore out of London, KY. additionally shot 44.4% (12-27) from the field and 21.4% (3-14) from beyond the arc. With excellent size, speed and a well-balanced playstyle, Rawlings is looking to be a significant member of North Laurel's team moving forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1543598"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64a6f7963a90f"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Finishing at number four on my list is [player_tooltip player_id='1543598' first='Jagger' last='Mardis'], a 6-foot-3 shooting guard at LaRue County High School. Mardis was one of the more efficient weapons on the Hawks' roster during his junior season of high school basketball last year. In 31 games, Mardis was the second-best scorer and one of the better rebounders on the team, collecting a grand total of 463 points and 91 rebounds, averaging 14.9 points and 2.9 rebounds per game. The rising sophomore out of Hodgenville, KY. additionally shot 45.2% (161-356) from field goal range, 39.1% (75-192) from behind the three-point line and 76.7% (66-86) from the free throw line. On top of his impressive size, speed and athleticism, Mardis stands out due to his explosiveness and size advantage, making a difference from range as well as underneath the rim.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1543312"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64a6f7963a952"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coming in at number five on my list of standouts is [player_tooltip player_id='1543312' first='Jackson' last='Keene'], a 6-foot-2 shooting guard at East Ridge High School. Keene was a highly explosive weapon for the Warriors during his junior stint of high school basketball last year. In 29 contests, Keene was the second-best scoring weapon and the third-best rebounder on the team, picking up a total of 317 points and 101 rebounds, averaging 10.9 points and 3.5 rebounds per game. The rising sophomore out of Elkhorn City, KY. additionally shot 42.3% (116-274) from field goal range, 37.9% (64-169) from behind the three-point line and 72.4% (21-29) from the free throw line. In addition to excellent size, speed and versatility on both sides of the court, what stands out about Keene is his accuracy from range as well as his offensive and defensive impact in the paint and underneath the basket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->