Updated 2026 Rankings: Guards (25-16)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We recently updated our 2026 rankings, with over 30 new additions and a total of 105 prospects across the state getting ranked.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now that we've looked at the new additions and stock risers, it's now time to take a look at the positional rankings. We've broken it down into three different categories in guards, wings and forwards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at part one of the guards rankings, looking at some of the best point and combo guards in the class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>25) [player_tooltip player_id='1782688' first='Khaliq' last='Carson'] | 5'10” PG | Bishop Ireton (#67 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Carson is sometimes overshadowed on his up and coming Ireton group that has a lot of young talent, but he's been an important part of their rebuild over the years. He's a great point of attack defender who can guard the length of the floor, he has great feel and IQ as a playmaker and he can break down defenders and make plays off the bounce.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>24) [player_tooltip player_id='1782693' first='Dominic' last='Nguyen'] | 6'0” PG | Seton (#60 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2312003,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/Screen-Shot-2024-01-02-at-4.12.09-PM.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/Screen-Shot-2024-01-02-at-4.12.09-PM.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2312003" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nguyen is one of the more underrated players in NOVA as he plays at a smaller private school, but he's shown time and time again he can play with the best of them. He's a true floor general who leads the team and puts his teammates in positions to succeed, he can score the ball efficiently from multiple levels off the bounce and he has a lot of toughness to him too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>23) [player_tooltip player_id='1963549' first='Mikhai' last='Martin'] | 6'1” PG | Bishop O'Connell (#59 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Martin is a two sport athlete who stars on the football team, and while he plays with some of the best players in the DMV his athleticism still makes him hard to keep off the floor. He's quick defensively with the ability to move laterally and keep guys in front, he is excellent in transition and he can create shots for himself and others.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>22) [player_tooltip player_id='1966646' first='Noah' last='Barnhart'] | 6'1” PG | Robinson (#56 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Barnhart is emerging as one of the top players in NOVA public schools after his breakout sophomore season, and he's a tough matchup for opposing guards to deal with. He's dynamic off the bounce with a quick first step and great finishing ability, he can make plays in the pick-and-roll and in isolation and he has great instincts on both ends of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>21) [player_tooltip player_id='2252312' first='Justin' last='Jones'] | 6'2” CG | Atlantic Shores (#51 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1910741,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/Jones-Justin.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/Jones-Justin.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1910741" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jones showed flashes as a freshman with some great performances, but he's showing continued improvement and is on the verge of taking a big leap here soon. He's a strong guard who can get downhill and finish through traffic, he can kick down shots from all three levels and he plays with great energy on both ends of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>20) Dezmond Ainsworth | 6'2” PG | St. Michael's (#50 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2448638,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/tempImage8g1eR9.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/tempImage8g1eR9.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2448638" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ainsworth has had a great spring playing up on Higher Level 17U, and while this is just his debut he could see himself move up the rankings if he continues to produce and improve. At 6'2” he's a very strong guard who can play through contact and keep ball handlers in front defensively, he's a very good scorer in the midrange and at the rim and he has a toughness to him you can't teach.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>19) [player_tooltip player_id='1630997' first='Elijah' last='Brandon'] | 5'10” PG | St. Chris (#48 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brandon is set up to be one of the breakout players in the Richmond area next year as he'll get to play with the ball in his hands more, and that's where he thrives. He's dynamic off the bounce with the ability to break down defenders with his quick first step and tight handle, he can really shoot it from deep with effortless range and he can get under ball handlers and make them uncomfortable.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>18) [player_tooltip player_id='2252294' first='Jemon' last='Price'] | 6'2” CG | Westfield (#47 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Price is part of a Westfield group that has five ranked players in the 2026 class and will be a tough team to compete with over the next few years, and he'll be the point of attack for that. He's a guard who doesn't get sped up and can handle pressure getting his team into sets, he can create space and score the ball from multiple levels and he makes plays for others too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>17) [player_tooltip player_id='2252297' first='Ty' last='Harris'] | 6'1” PG | Flint Hill (#45 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Harris would likely be higher on this list, but the two sport star is a big time football recruit who is getting highly recruited on the gridiron, but that doesn't stop him from being dominant on the hardwood too. His athleticism is impressive with his speed in transition and finishing ability at the rim, he's a tough guard in isolation situations and he can knock down shots when left open too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>16) [player_tooltip player_id='2246278' first='Julian' last='Burgdolf'] | 5'10” PG | St. Stephen's St. Agnes (#44 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2350419,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/Screen-Shot-2024-02-14-at-4.39.16-PM.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/Screen-Shot-2024-02-14-at-4.39.16-PM.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2350419" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Burgdolf s one of the most steady and consistent guards in the NOVA area, and is an easy guard to like with his savvy and all-around skill set. While he isn't the biggest Burgdolf has fantastic feel and makes great decisions, he has a tight handle and doesn't get sped up, he scores it efficiently and he makes plays on the defensive end too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->