2026 Rankings Update: Sorting out the Guards
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Sophomore year rankings are very fluid. The majority of the 2026 prospects haven’t played meaningful varsity minutes, let alone start actual games. But fall events have made it evident that the guards are the strength of the class. There’s an…
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Continue ReadingSophomore year rankings are very fluid. The majority of the 2026 prospects haven’t played meaningful varsity minutes, let alone start actual games. But fall events have made it evident that the guards are the strength of the class. There’s an abundance of them in the top 100, especially from the Philadelphia region. These events have also provided opportunities to differentiate and sort them out. Rather than quibble over point guard or combo guard designations, the first group are simply “lead guards.” The other group is “scoring guards” (not “shooting guards”), guys who might be considered twos or combos who aren’t primary playmakers. Ian Williams Ian Williams 5'9" | PG Archbishop Carroll | 2026 State PA , KJ Coles KJ Coles 6'2" | CG Pocono Mountain West | 2026 State PA , and Blake Hargrove Blake Hargrove 6'0" | PG Liberty | 2026 State PA were discussed in my previous post. Here are a few more guys I’d throw into either group:
Lead Guards
#9 Stephon Ashley-Wright Stephon Ashley-Wright 5'11" | PG Neuman-Goretti | 2026 State PA | 5’11 Neumann-Goretti
Now cemented as a starter for the Saints, ” the game is slowing down for “Munchie” and it’s allowing him to play even faster. His burst getting to the cup is only second to his lateral quickness at the point-of-attack.
#11 RJ Smith RJ Smith 5'8" | PG Imhotep Charter | 2026 State PA | 5’8 Imhotep
Whether he’s starting next to Nowell or coming off the bench to run point, RJ has the situational awareness and mental toughness to execute. His three-ball and finishing compliment his playmaking ability.
#30 Ya’majesty Washington Ya’majesty Washington 6'3" | CG Warwick | 2026 State PA | 6’3 Warwick
The big guard can play 1 or the 2, but his teams are better with the ball in his hands. Washington flashes as a primary initiator who can score or distribute and a versatile defender.
#35 Tobe Nwobu, Jr. Tobe Nwobu, Jr. 6'1" | PG Academy of the New Church | 2026 State PA | 6’1 ANC
Nwobu Jr almost put up 900 points in two seasons at Camden Catholic before joining the Lions. He uses his strong lower body to be a disruptive on-ball defender and to take his spots inside the arc.
#41 Jasir Tyler Jasir Tyler 5'9" | PG West Catholic | 2026 State PA | 5’9 West Catholic
Making his varsity debut as a sophomore, Tyler is one of the best passers in the class. He uses his shifty handle to get into the paint before kicking it out to the perimeter. His quick hands on defense are dangerous too.
#42 Kody Colson Kody Colson 5'10" | PG Imhotep Charter | 2026 State PA , #45 Torrey Brooks Torrey Brooks 5'11" | PG Neumann-Goretti | 2026 State PA , and #50 Kobe Bazemore Kobe Bazemore 5'10" | PG Upper Dublin | 2026 State PA are three more lead guards who have talent and upside.
Scoring Guards
#7 Derrick Morton-Rivera Derrick Morton-Rivera 6'4" | SG Father Judge | 2026 State PA | 6’3 Father Judge
The arguably best shooter in the class, “DJ” is moving from sixth man to starting 2-guard. He can score on designed plays or within the flow of their offense.
#13 Latief Lorenzano-White Latief Lorenzano-White 6'4" | SG Imhotep Charter | 2026 State PA | 6’4 Imhotep
Lorenzano-White comes over from Batram where he was Mr. Everything, scoring and facilitating. Yet, with the Panthers, he’s demonstrated he can scale down and still impact winning on both ends.
#14 Mani Sajid Mani Sajid 6'3" | SG Plymouth Whitemarsh | 2026 State PA | 6’3 Plymouth Whitemarsh
A classic two-guard, Sajid broke out as soon as his freshman season ended. His jumper is money if you help off of him and he can counter with a one- or two-dribble middy pull-up.
#26 Milak Myatt Milak Myatt 6'3" | SG Math, Civics, and Sciences | 2026 State PA | 6’3 Math, Civics & Sciences
As far as putting the ball in the hoop goes, Myatt has the physical talent to keep up with anyone. He can finish above the rim, get to his spots in the mid-range, and create space for threes.
#31 Nasir Ralls Nasir Ralls 6'0" | CG Archbishop Carroll | 2026 State PA | 6’0 Archbishop Carroll
Ralls brought juice off the Patriots bench a season ago. As a sophomore with a longer runway, he’s fully prepared to put a volume of shots up from anywhere and everywhere on the floor.
#33 Reggie King Reggie King 6'3" | SG Episcopal Academy | 2026 State PA (6’3 Episcopal) and#107 Owen Kelly Owen Kelly 6'3" | SG SCH Academy | 2026 State PA (6’3 Springside Chestnut Hill) are another couple of guards who can fill it up too, especially spotting up from deep.
TBD
#64 Jake Puksyzn (6’1 Liberty), #37 Zion Robinson Zion Robinson 5'10" | CG Math, Civics and Sciences | 2026 State PA (5’10 MCS), #38 Ethan Johnston Ethan Johnston 6'5" | CG Hill School | 2026 State PA (6’4 Hill School), and #123 Will Lesovitz Will Lesovitz 6'3" | SG St. Joseph's Prep | 2026 State PA (6’3 St. Joe’s Prep) have shown flashes of talent. But for one reason or another – new to the state, didn’t play much as a freshman, exposures, etc – I’m still gauging how they best impact the game. In time, I’ll learn if they’re lead guards, scoring guards, or something else altogether.
Want to share your thoughts? Who are some other sophomore guards people should keep their eyes on for the next update? Follow me on Twitter or IG @ CGraham_Sports for more hoops coverage.