2027 Rankings Update: The Combo Guards

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We continue our positional breakdown for the&nbsp;<em>Class of 202</em>7&nbsp;with a look at some of New England's most notable&nbsp;<em>Combo Guards</em>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2194345' first='TJ' last='Allen'] checks in as the top ranked <em>Combo Guard</em> in New Englad, but [player_tooltip player_id='2470927' first='Elijah' last='McNair'] isn't far behind. Allen, the 12th ranked prospect in New England, is a big time scorer that can really break the defense down off the bounce, while McNair, New England's 15th ranked prospect, has a great feel for the game and can really light it up from behind the arc.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/position-ranking-table {"name":"acf/position-ranking-table","data":{"class":"2027","_class":"field_65cfb7374abb9","position":"77244","_position":"field_65cfbfcb19ad6","national_rankings":"0","_national_rankings":"field_660c1d73c0e49","state":"77239","_state":"field_65cfb88a603fe"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66eccd4f77f06"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below, we'll take a look at five&nbsp;<em>Combo Guards</em>&nbsp;to watch from the&nbsp;<em>Class of 202</em>7:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2470895"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66eccd4f796d7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Innocent, who had a strong summer with <em>BABC</em>, impressed with his ability to handle and score off the bounce at multiple stops. A dynamic guard with the ball in his hands, Innocent has impressive burst when getting by the initial defender and the ability to finish with either hand at the rim. He has a good feel for the game, makes good passes off of his drives, and is a confident ball-handler against pressure. Defensively, he has the strength to guard physically and the athleticism to guard in space. He hounds opposing ball handlers, is the first to the floor for loose balls, and does a nice job of chasing down rebounds in space. He's tough, talented, and continues to get better, and he should be a standout this winter at <em>St. Marks</em>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1707498"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66eccd4f79737"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bastani, a product of the west coast who plays his prep ball at <em>New Hampton</em>, is a big time scorer that can get it done at all three levels. The <em>Oakland Soldiers</em> guard had a coming out party this summer, with multiple positive showings at high level events. Bastani has great position size, shows an impressive handle in isolation situations, and can get into his jumper any time he wants. He a scorer that has some craftiness around the rim and can really shoot the ball, particularly from behind the arc. Defensively, he has the ability to guard up a position with his size and length combo and does a good job on the glass. He'll look to make his mark this winter at <em>New Hampton</em> and long term, should be a prospect to watch at the scholarship level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2470903"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66eccd4f797a9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kellogg, a high basketball IQ scoring guard, made his name known at a first-year at <em>Williston Northampton</em>. A long and lean scorer, Kellogg does a great job of utilizing his length to create seperation. He's confident with the ball in his hands and does a good job of changing direction off the bounce. Off the ball, he does a good job of continuing to move and utilize screens and does his work early to get his feet set. On the defensive end of the floor, he's often in the right spot at the right time, and thus, creates a lot of turnovers and deflections. He should have a bigger role this winter and could solidify himself as one of the top combo guards in New England.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2470923"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66eccd4f797f1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mburu, a high academic prospect at <em>Moses Brown</em>, burst onto the scene in his first year of high school. A bigger guard, Mburu already stands out on the defensive end of the floor where his length and activity level allow him to have a huge impact on the game. He does a good job of sliding over from the help position to protect the rim, walls up in the post without commiting fouls, and is quick to jump passing lanes for easy steals that lead to run outs. Offensively, he's a consistent shooter in catch and shoot situations and uses his length to finish at the rim. The lefty has some nice burst off the bounce and is already an above average athlete. He should be a go to scorer for <em>Moses Brown</em> this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2568396"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66eccd4f79832"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Charchaflian, a big time scorer with the <em>Middlesex Magic</em>, stood out last winter as one of the top first years in the <em>MIAA</em>. A crafty scorer, Charchaflian was a big part of the success <em>Winchester</em> had last winter and is in store for a huge sophomore season. A solid athlete that plays with great pace, he has a terrific understanding of tempo and how to create space. He is an above average shooter, both from behind the arc and in the mid-range, and does a great job of elevating into his jumper. He has high level floor vision and is a crafty passer in traffic. Defensively, he's gritty and competitive and can really move his feet laterally when he sits in a stance. He has the chance to lead <em>Winchester</em> this winter and could be one of the top underclassmen scorers in Massachusetts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->