2026 Prep/Independent Point Guards to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2024-25 season is coming soon as November is only a week and a half away. The 2026 class is looking to make its impact on the hardwood this season, especially in the backcourt. Here are the 2026 prep/independent school guard prospects to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1595679' first='Deron' last='Rippey Jr.'], 6'1 Blair Academy</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rippey Jr. is the top prospect in the 2026 class and should put it on display this season. The 6'1 guard has a quick first step, which he uses to blow by his defender off the bounce and finishes strong above the rim. Rippey Jr. plays with poise on the ball as he rarely gets rattled by on-ball pressure and finds his open teammates in the halfcourt. He pushes the pace well in transition and is a tough on-ball defender. Rippey Jr. picked up 12 offers since the start of 2024 and will be looking to extend that offer sheet this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2347867' first='Sage' last='Mateo'], 6'3 Hun</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mateo had a solid summer and is looking to carry that over into the winter. The 6'3 guard has a good handle, which he uses to beat his defender off the bounce and finishes in a number of ways around the basket. Mateo can also score in the mid-range and rises up nicely on his jumper. He rarely forces the issue in the halfcourt and plays with good anticipation on the defensive end to get deflections. Mateo picked up an offer from Columbia last month and should receive more offers as the season progresses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1588143' first='Dylan' last='Napoleon'], 6'3 Pennington</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Napoleon has the ability to play either guard sport, which makes him an intriguing prospect to watch. The 6'3 guard attacks the basket with a purpose as he finishes strong around the basket and is unafraid of drawing contact. Napoleon knows how to get to his spot on the floor and uses his size to see over his defender. He is an underrated passer and has the length to defend multiple positions on the floor. Napoleon is a long guard prospect whose ability to make plays at both ends of the floor will help his stock in a big way this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1607090' first='Rasheem' last='Yon'], 5'10 Life Center</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yon should have the ball in his hands more this season, which will help his development. The 5'10 guard has a solid handle, which he uses to get into the lane and makes plays in the paint. Yon finishes nicely around the basket and can make opponents pay for giving him space behind the arc. He moves well without the ball in his hands and slides his feet on the defensive end. Yon is a gritty guard prospect whose ability to run the offense will help his game throughout the course of the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2505093' first='Callan' last='Murphy'], 6'0 Blair Academy</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Murphy has the potential to torch the nets this season, which will make him one to track this season. The 6'0 guard has a smooth release on his jumper and can get hot from distance in a hurry. Murphy moves well without the ball in his hands, freeing himself for open jumpers and layups in the halfcourt. He is an underrated passer and gets deflections on defense. Murphy is a sharpshooting guard prospect who will look to bury triples in bunches throughout the 2024-25 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->