Top new guards from 2025 Rankings Update

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our 2025 rankings update saw 20 prospects make their debut in this latest update, in this article we'll break down the top five guards added to our list.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1832082"],"_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":"We just broke down Stephens game after a strong performance at the Harvest Prep Holiday Hoopfest. Click u003ca href=u0022https://prephoops.com/2024/01/standouts-from-harvest-prep-holiday-hoopfest/u0022u003ehereu003c/au003e to view our breakdown of his game. Stephens is one of the top players in the Muskingum Valley League and projects as a small college target for regional schools.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["2042513"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Garfield Heights has a loaded roster with Division I talent but Jackson is an under the radar name who deserves some love. As a 3-and-D off guard, Jackson can really shoot it off the catch and has a smooth jumper. A competitor on the defensive end as well, Jackson gets scrappy with pressure on-ball defense. Playing on one of the top teams in the state in a ton of marquee games, Jackson will have plenty of opportunities to be seen by college coaches.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1958384"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"After watching him on the Prep Hoops Circuit and at our Top 250 Expo I was ready to add Rothwell to our rankings during this update. After seeing him impress for North Adams against Bishop Hartley in a marquee match-up Rothwell debuted even higher in our rankings. One of the top passers in southeast Ohio, it appears Rothwell has gained confidence as a scorer and has North Adams in position to defend their district title they won last season. Expect Rothwell to gain a lot of small college interest this summer.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["2025118"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"A standout from the Midwest Basketball Club Fall League in Cincy, Baker is an athletic off guard who can really score it. An impressive athlete, Baker's burst and ability to get past the first defender is impressive. Currently averaging 11.7 PPG shooting 47% from the field, Baker had a breakout 23 point outing in a win over Milford to open up 2024. Expect more of the same from him in the next few weeks as Kings looks to find their form returning from a winter break trip down south.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["2304811"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Blanton was a prospect I caught with [program_tooltip program_id='2078639' first='Mac' last='Basketball'] 16 U but then really noticed his talents at the NEO Youth Elite Christmas Classic. A guard who shoots a very smooth ball off the catch, Blanton had some big time scoring games for Elyria and on the Prep Hoops Circuit. Due to his impressive play on both the grassroots circuit and high school season, Blanton finds himself making his debut in our rankings.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6598824297b8b"} /-->