2026 Guards to Monitor This Spring/Summer

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With AAU season already underway, the 2026 class is ready to make their names known, draw widespread college attention for the first time, and be ready to be stars in their junior years of high school ball. Check out five backcourt players who are worthy of more attention going into grassroots season, and are set for big seasons, college offers, and increased exposure.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1782147"],"_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":"Ryker is a guy to get eyes on with his [program_tooltip program_id='2078512' first='NC' last='Spartans'] group as he continues to be productive and efficient on both the high school and grassroots scene. Super tenacious, poised player on both ends of the floor, acting as a leader and floor general for his team. Defensively plays hard, is always poking and looking to turn his man over, and looking to create runouts. Offensively is a great table setter, always trying to push the tempo with the pass and find an open teammate rather than just create for himself.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["2055664"],"_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":"Gatehouse was disrupted by an injury during high school season, but is looking to continue to return to top form this AAU season and make a name for himself. He's always been an elite scorer, with fluidity and an ability to knock down shots or get to the rim. He's developed a continued great feel for the game, as well as being able to play without the ball in his hands and not be the dominant, focal point within his team at the high school level. He continues to be a fun guy to watch, and a stockriser to monitor.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1281028"],"_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":"Coleman is an undersized, dynamic point guard that's a ton of fun to watch, and continues to improve his game. He's playing as a distributor and tempo pusher at the lead guard spot for LionChaser U so far in grassroots, doing a good job of making solid reads without trying to do anything too fancy or outlandish. Occasional shooter and scorer, but he's really deferred to teammates and helped them find their own buckets. His unselfishness and skill are a hard-to-find combination in this day and age.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["2165362"],"_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":"Luketa is another name from Lexington and the [program_tooltip program_id='2078512' first='NC' last='Spartans'] to get to know because of his athletic tools, distribution habits, and defensive intensity at the guard spot. He's really unselfish and always looking to help his team win even if it doesn't include him scoring the ball well, which means offensively he's looking to set up others and get them open shots with his playmaking. Also tough to shake defensively and is always looking to be physical and aggressive.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1672480"],"_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":"Bailey is a kid with really developed physical tools combined with a scoring punch that is going to make him a dangerous player on the UAA circuit this summer. He's got a ton of vertical pop that allows him to play above the rim and make tough finishes in traffic despite only being 6'2. He's also always making the right play and looking to balance being unselfish with also taking what is his when he can. I don't know him personally, but all accounts point to him being a high character guy and what college coaches are looking for in terms of character and culture when they want to add someone to their program.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6615ca1a2d8e5"} /-->