Updated 2024 Rankings: Guards (25-16)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We recently updated our 2024 class rankings for Virginia heading into the season, and we have a lot of new faces and movement in the class. Heading into their senior year, we have a good understanding of this class and the depth of talent. However, there will always be omissions and debates regarding placement among the rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at part one of the guards rankings, looking at some of the top point and combo guards in the class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>25) [player_tooltip player_id='2232336' first='Yusef' last='Washington'] | 5'10” PG | South County (#90 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Washington makes his debut in the rankings after a stellar junior year where he became a more focal point on a talented South County team, and this year he should be the main ball handler and decision maker. The smooth lefty is a tough nosed guard who guards the ball well and makes plays defensively, he is a good rebounder for his position and he can create off the bounce for himself and others.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>24) [player_tooltip player_id='1759739' first='Joshua' last='Prince'] | 6'1” CG | Potomac Falls (#88 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1813092,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/Screen-Shot-2023-02-22-at-10.17.17-PM.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/Screen-Shot-2023-02-22-at-10.17.17-PM.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1813092" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prince is a two sport star who is currently tearing it up on the football field for Potomac Falls, and has been one of their best players on the basketball court the last few years too. The 6'1” combo is an athletic guard who plays with great energy on both ends of the floor, he can knock down shots consistently from deep off the catch and he's an excellent finisher around the rim too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>23) [player_tooltip player_id='1403925' first='Jaedon' last='Harris'] | 5'11” PG | John Paul the Great (#76 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1302377,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/10/Harris-Jaedon-CBG.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/10/Harris-Jaedon-CBG.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1302377" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Boogie” as he's known by teammates and coaches is one of the top floor generals you'll find in the state and has led a resurgence in the JPG program over the past few years. He's a talented and skilled guard who can touch the paint at will and makes great decisions with the ball in his hands, he makes shots from deep and can finish over bigger defenders with either hand and he's a natural leader who sets the tone on both ends of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>22) [player_tooltip player_id='2232365' first='Dekevion' last='Moore'] | 6'1” CG | Forest Park (#75 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2220972,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/Screen-Shot-2023-09-30-at-6.59.24-PM.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/Screen-Shot-2023-09-30-at-6.59.24-PM.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2220972" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Moore makes his debut in the Prep Hoops VA rankings after a big time junior season and looks like he could be one of the top scoring guards in NOVA this year. The 6'1” combo is an absolute bucket as he gets to spots effortlessly off the bounce with his tight handle, he gets good elevation on the pull-up to rise up and make tough shots and he scores it well from all three levels.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>21) [player_tooltip player_id='1259545' first='Shamar' last='Sisco'] | 5'10” PG | Freedom Woodbridge (#72 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1424499,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/04/Sisco-Shamar-Head-Shot.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/04/Sisco-Shamar-Head-Shot.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1424499" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sisco will have a lot more freedom on Freedom (PUN intended) this season, as he'll be the go-to guy for them and be able to show that he can lead a team in multiple ways. He is a quick guard who changes speeds well off the bounce, he touches the paint where he can make plays for others, he's a good on ball defender and he can make shots and gets to the line often.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>20) [player_tooltip player_id='1579097' first='Ke'Juan' last='Richburg'] | 5'7” PG | Fairfax Christian (#66 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2218151,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/Richberg-Kejuan.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/Richberg-Kejuan.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2218151" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Richburg is the epitome of a floor general, as he helped lead Fairfax Christian to a VISAA D3 State Championship and leads a team who has to be the favorite to repeat this year. While he's small he plays with toughness and handles pressure very well, he gets his team into sets but can also create for others when the play breaks down, he sets the tone defensively and he picks his spots and scores it when he needs to.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>19) [player_tooltip player_id='1948393' first='Demeir' last='Pollard'] | 6'2” CG | Landstown (#63 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2053921,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/Screen-Shot-2023-07-03-at-10.32.23-AM.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/Screen-Shot-2023-07-03-at-10.32.23-AM.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2053921" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pollard is the senior leader of a young but very talented Landstown team that will be one of the best in the Beach again, and he will have a lot of pressure on him but it's something he's prepared for. He embodies the identity of this group as a tough nosed get after it on both ends squad, he is dynamic in transition with his end-to-end speed, he's a pest on the defensive end and he is productive across the board on both ends.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>18) [player_tooltip player_id='2232334' first='Eiden' last='Harvey'] | 5'10” PG | Hermitage (#56 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Harvey makes his debut in the rankings after a stellar junior season for an up and coming Hermitage team and he had a good showing at the VA Live Period as well. The 5'10” point guard is as solid as they come with an all-around skillset with the ball in his hands as he can drive-and-kick, he touches the paint and is a good finisher, he can knock down shots from multiple levels and is a good on ball defender too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>17) Kenneth Deguzman | 5'10” PG | Potomac (#53 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Deguzman will have the ball in his hands and be the primary decision maker this year for Potomac, and should be one of the top all-around guards in the NOVA area this year. He's a shifty lead guard who can change speeds and directions effortlessly, he is a very good finisher over bigger defenders, he can make plays for others off the bounce and he's a good point of attack defender who also jumps passing lanes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>16) [player_tooltip player_id='1580730' first='Dezmond' last='Hopkins'] | 6'0” CG | Patriot (#49 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2218977,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/Hopkins-Dezmond.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/Hopkins-Dezmond.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2218977" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When it comes to resumes as a lead guard, not many have a better one than Hopkins in this class as he's led Patriot to close to 60 wins over the past two seasons, and while the state championship has eluded him this year they have to team to get it done. Hopkins is a dog of a lead guard who gets after it on both ends and sets the tone for his team, he can score it off the bounce with an array of floaters and finishes around the rim, he's a good shooter from deep when he moves off the ball and he just has that “it” factor as a winner.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->