2027 Rankings Update: The Point Guards

We continue our rankings week coverage for the Class of 2027 with a position by position look at some of New England's most notable prospects.   Today, we'll start with the Point Guards. [player_tooltip player_id='2470964' first='Antonio' last='Pemberton'], now at Brewster Academy, is not only the top ranked Point Guard, but the top player in this class in New England. He's coming off a strong showing this summer with the Mass Rivals and has a chance to show out on the national stage this winter. [player_tooltip player_id='2470946' first='LaDanion' last='Payne'], who falls just outside the Top 10, was a summer stock riser while playing for the Mass Rivals and should prove to be one of the top young prospects in the region this winter with Brimmer & May.    Below, we'll take a look at five more Point Guards to watch from the Class of 2027:    Ayala, a big lead guard that had a good showing this summer with Expressions Elite, is playing with more confidence than ever before this fall. The lefty floor general from Milton Academy has an advanced feel for the game, knows how to play at different speeds, and shows off impressive floor vision. His size allows him to see over the defense and that, combined with his feel for the game, has allowed him to thrive as a distributor. He's a crafty passer that does a good job of drawing the defense in and then spraying it to shooters or cutters. He's proven to be a strong rim finisher, able to finish through contact or with finesse in the paint. Defensively, he's capable of guarding anywhere on the perimeter and shows good instincts off the ball and in passing lanes. He's continued to get stronger, shows improved athleticism, and has a solid basketball IQ. He's a definite scholarship prospect down that road and should form one of the best underclass back-courts in the area this winter with teammate, [player_tooltip player_id='2470924' first='Ryan' last='McLaughlin'].     Cruz, a vocal presence at the lead guard spot, had a strong showing this summer with Team New England Basketball Club. A physcial guard, Cruz does a nice job of initiating offense both in the half-court and in transition. He has a quick first step and the strength to take a bump and keep going. He's done a good job with his body the last few months and now shows more burst off the bounce. He's a good decision maker and a high level shooter both off the bounce and when he slides off the ball. Defensively, he's tough at the point of attack and is competitive on that end of the floor. He doesn't back down from anyone and has a nose for the ball. He has all the intangibles that you look for out of the position and continues to show a solid skillset. He's a prospect to watch going forward as he continues to develop his body and fine tune his skills.     Joyner, who heads to MacDuffie after a state championship run at Worcester North, is a crafty lead guard that seemingly has the ball on a string in the half-court. After a great summer with the Mass Rivals, Joyner has continued to expand his game this fall and should be capable of playing a key role for MacDuffie this winter. He's a good athlete that shows excellent body control and the ability to get downhill off screens. He displays nice floor vision and a good feel for changing pace. His ability to navigate through tight spaces, without turning the ball over, stands out every time he takes the floor. Defensively, he's tough, strong, and determined. He doesn't give up an inch and is capable of hounding opposing ball handlers for 94'. He'll face stiffer competition in the NEPSAC this winter, but it a prospect that's fun to watch and should only continue to improve over the coming years.     Urey, a lead guard that spent his summer with Expressions Elite, had a coming out party at The Expo. A shifty, change of pace point guard, Urey does a solid job of running an offense and utilizing screens to get into the paint. While he is a capable scorer, he does a good job of drawing multiple defenders and then finding open teammates for easy looks. When he doesn't have the ball in his hands, he shows a good feel as a spot up shooter, showing his hands early and stepping confidently into his jumper. Defensively, he has quick hands and moves well laterally, allowing him to be a solid on-ball defender. He's a bit undersized, but is still young and makes up for that right now with good burst and solid athleticism. He'll be another fun prospect to follow going forward and is primed for a big season at Rocky Hill Country Day.     Maresca, who spent his summer running with Rens United, is scoring lead guard that has an advanced offensive game. A crafty ball-handler, Maresca does a great job of utilizing hesitations and hang dribbles to keep the defense off balance. He shows a nice understanding of how to play at different speeds and is capable of making plays for himself and others off the bounce. He's a crafty paint finisher right now, showing both euro-steps and floaters to finish around or over bigger defenders. He displays confidence as a shooter and is able to use his bounce to create space to get into his jumper. He competes on the defensive end, moves his feet well, and has a good understanding of team concepts on that end of the floor. He should have a chance to play a big role this winter at Greenwich Country Day and is a prospect to monitor moving forward.

We continue our rankings week coverage for the Class of 2027 with a position by position look at some of New England's most notable prospects.