2028 Pre-Review - Lead Guards

These guards know how to create opportunities for themselves and teammates, adept at handling opposing pressure one on one. Although not the tallest on the court, a few of these names will get an opportunity at the varsity level, given their IQ and ball skills.    Johnson has already found opportunity before the regular season has started, leveraging his skills along the perimeter to be of use for a new look Cherry Creek program. With the ball on a string, the guard has found repeated success while attacking the lane. With his confidence handling the ball and quick decisions for kick out passes, the guard is already a refined facilitator at this stage in his career. Allowing 2026 guard [player_tooltip player_id='1510473' first='Jeremiah' last='Hammond'] a bit more opportunity to score without the ball, Johnson has the ability to help propel this Cherry Creek group into a troublesome matchup this season.     Adkins will be relied upon quite heavily by Vista Peak, tasked with handling the bulk of playmaking responsibilities through his initial season. Already comfortable versus tight pressure or contact, the guard has no trouble slowing down the pace when necessary. Already adept at changing speeds on a dime, there are only a handful of names in the 2028 class with his playmaking abilities as a lead guard. His shotmaking profile makes him such a well rounded offensive option at this stage, capable of stepping into jumpers and floaters within the arc. If needed to space the floor, he can hit the open three when given space, maximizing his windows.      Proctor has a chance to crack the Cherry Creek rotation, bringing quick instincts as a downhill scorer. Adept at flinging passes with either hand to perimeter scorers, the guard has all the tools to coexist with high backcourt teammates. Defensively, he competes at the point of attack, handsy one on one. Proctor does particularly well as an agent of chaos, comfortable in a fast paced environment.      McDonald continues to find success at local showcase events, reaffirming his playmaking and downhill scoring abilities from the club season. With the ball on a string, like a few other names in this list, the guard handles pressure well. Adept at slowing down the pace to read ball screens or any additional defensive rotations, the guard finds ways to put his teammates in positions to succeed. Defensively, McDonald possesses great hands at the point of attack, active deflecting ball handlers in traffic.      A skilled playmaker with the ball who brings soft touch around the rim, Collier will be an impactful guard over at East from the jump. Bringing the speed necessary to compete at the varsity level, the guard has shown upside to compete on both ends of the floor.      Powell brings quick decisionmaking up in Northern Colorado, adept at hitting teammates through tight windows. Effective passing the ball with either hand, he is among the more skilled backcourt prospects in this class. Showing flashes as a floor spacer either off the dribble or catch, the guard looks to be a well rounded backcourt playmaker at the next level.

These guards know how to create opportunities for themselves and teammates, adept at handling opposing pressure one on one. Although not the tallest on the court, a few of these names will get an opportunity at the varsity level, given their IQ and ball skills.