2026 Combo Guards to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2026 class may have only played two varsity seasons, but they have made their impact on the hardwood. The backcourt is filled with talent and should put it on display this spring and summer. Here are the 2026 combo guards to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1963393' first='Tyrease' last='Hunter'], 6'3 Roselle Catholic</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hunter is the top-ranked combo guard from the update and should have a big AAU season. The 6'3 guard has a good first step, which he uses to beat his defender off the bounce and finish around the basket. Hunter can also score in the mid-range and sets his feet before he shoots. He finds his open teammates in the halfcourt and gets deflections on the defensive end. Hunter's ability to play on and off the ball is something that will help his development in a big way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1595676' first='Jalen' last='Maldonado'], 6'2 Roselle Catholic</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Maldonado has the potential to breakout with his ability to make plays with the ball in his hands. The 6'2 guard has a tight handle, which he uses to blow by his defender and can finish in a variety of ways around the basket. Maldonado has a good release on his jumper as he wastes little motion. He is an underrated passer and slides his feet on the defensive end. Maldonado is a crafty guard prospect who should make plays over the spring and summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1790210' first='Tyler' last='Hammond'], 5'11 Trenton Catholic</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hammond ended his sophomore season on a high note as he finished with four straight double-digit scoring games. The 5'11 guard has a clean shooting stroke and can knock down triples in bunches. Hammond is more than just a shooter as he can also get to the rim off the bounce and finish nicely around the basket. He moves well without the ball in his hands and is an underrated defender. Hammond has the ability to get hot from distance in a hurry, which should help his game in a big way over the next couple of months.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1788757' first='Justin' last='Bethea'], 5'11 Paterson Eastside</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bethea shouldered a bigger offensive load for the Ghosts this season and helped lead them to an 18-9 record in 2023-24. The 5'11 guard has a nice handle, which he uses to get into the lane and make plays. Bethea has a good release on his jumper and does not mind drawing contact. He can thread passes to open teammates and plays tough on-ball defense. Bethea is a gritty guard prospect who should continue to make plays at both ends of the floor during the AAU season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1195818' first='Gabe' last='Moore'], 6'0 Life Center</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Moore has the ability to have a big spring and summer with his ability to shoot the ball from distance. The 6'0 guard has a nice shooting stroke and rarely forces jumpers in the half court. Moore moves well without the ball in his hands, freeing himself for open layups and jumpers in the halfcourt. He has a solid handle and works hard on the defensive end. Moore is a sharpshooting guard prospect who should torch the nets over the next couple of months.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Other Prospects to Watch:</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2107954' first='Charlie' last='Marcoullier'], 5'10 CBA</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1775138' first='Tyler' last='Cameron'], 6'0 St. Rose</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2237119' first='Caleb' last='Williams'], 6'0 Paterson Eastside</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1412105' first='Jacob' last='Edgecomb'], Point Pleasant Beach</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2107956' first='Chris' last='Yevchak'], 6'0 Don Bosco Prep</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->