2026 Under the Radar Combo Guards

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The school year is moving quickly as the first full week of October is halfway over. The 2026 class is looking to make its mark on the hardwood this season, especially in the backcourt. Here are the 2026 under the radar combo guards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2107956' first='Chris' last='Yevchak'], 6'0 Don Bosco Prep</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yevhcak will get a bigger role in the Ironmen's offense, which will help his game in a big way. The 6'0 guard has a good first step, which he uses to beat his defender off the bounce and finishes nicely around the basket. Yevchak can also score in the mid-range and sets his feet before he shoots. He moves well without the ball in his hands and slides his feet on the defensive end. Yevchak's ability to score in the paint along with his ability to defend on the perimeter will help his stock throughout the course of the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2139578' first='Jordan' last='Owens'], 6'1 Holy Cross Prep</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Owens transferred into Holy Cross Prep from Princeton Day over the summer and is looking to make his mark in his debut season. The 6'1 guard has a good release on his jumper and makes opponents pay for giving him space behind the arc. Owens is more than just a shooter as he can also get to the rim off the bounce and is unafraid of drawing contact. He is an underrated passer and uses his quick hands to get deflections on the defensive end. Owens had eight double-digit games last season and should eclipse that mark in 2024-25.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2342604' first='Dean' last='Yellen Jr'], 6'0 Johnson</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yellen Jr led the way for the Crusaders last season and should do so again in 2024-25. The 6'0 guard has a nice shooting stroke and can get hot from distance in a hurry. Yellen Jr can also get to the basket off the bounce and has a solid mid-range game. He is an underrated rebounder and has the ability to play off the ball as well. Yellen Jr had seven 20-point games last season and is looking to eclipse that number in his junior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1948972' first='Ilan' last='Santos'], 6'1 St. Mary's Rutherford</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Santos is one of only three returning Gaels who scored over 100 points and should take a big step up this season. The 6'1 guard attacks the basket with a purpose as he finishes strong around the basket and can draw contact in the paint. Santos rarely forces the issue in the halfcourt and can also score in the mid-range. He moves well without the ball in his hands and plays solid on-ball defense. Santos is a gritty, guard prospect whose ability to make plays at both ends of the floor will help his development throughout the course of the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2342691' first='Jaylen' last='Washington'], 6'0 Rancocas Valley</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Washington had some big moments in his sophomore season and should have more of them in his junior season. The 6'0 guard has a quick first step, which he uses to blow by his defender off the bounce and finishes around the basket. Washington shows a nice touch in the mid-range and makes opponents pay for giving him space behind the arc. He is an underrated passer and plays with good anticipation on the defensive end. Washington's ability to make plays with the ball in his hands will be something to watch during the 2024-25 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->