Updated 2026 Rankings: Guards (25-16)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The highly anticipated new edition of the class of 2026 rankings have finally been released, with over 140 players in the rankings, including over 40 new players to the list! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We'll take a look at positional rankings between guards, wings and big over the next week or so. Here's a look at part one of the guards rankings, lookin at some of the best point and combo guards in the class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>25) [player_tooltip player_id='2459370' first='Kevin' last='Mayo'] | 6'3” CG | Henrico (#72 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2502956,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/tempImageiNI3ob.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/tempImageiNI3ob.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2502956" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mayo is set for a breakout junior season for a talented Henrico team that's on the come up, and coming off a big time summer he's turning into one of the best players in the Richmond area. The 6'3” combo is still growing and has developed his ball handling and shot creating ability a lot in the last year or so, he knocks down shots from deep at a high clip and he brings a competitive spirit to both ends of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>24) [player_tooltip player_id='1966646' first='Noah' last='Barnhart'] | 6'1” PG | Robinson (#69 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Barnhart is coming off a big sophomore season where he was an All Region selection and became a focal point of other team's scouting reports with his ability to make plays for himself and others effortlessly. He's a strong and athletic guard who gets downhill aggressively and finishes well in traffic, he can make shots from all three levels and he is able to make his teammates better as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>23) [player_tooltip player_id='2510345' first='Justin' last='Jones'] | 6'2” CG | Atlantic Shores (#64 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1910741,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/Jones-Justin.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/Jones-Justin.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1910741" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jones is another player who is coming off a big sophomore season and a big summer with Team Push on the 3SSB Circuit, and he's emerging as one of the top players in the 757 going into his junior year. At 6'2” he's a big and physical guard who can get downhill off the bounce and finish at the rim, he has excellent footwork on his pull-up in the midrange and he can knock down shots from deep as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>22) [player_tooltip player_id='2459355' first='Dezmon' last='Ainsworth'] | 6'4” PG | St. Michael (#63 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2562159,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImageB2QeDw.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImageB2QeDw.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2562159" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ainsworth is part of a talented St. Michael group I fully expect to make a big run come March in the VISAA D3 classification, and after a big year at Massaponax last year he's looking like one of the top players in the Fredericksburg area. He's a big and strong guard that sets the tone on both ends of the floor, he attacks defenders over and over again putting pressure on the defense, he scores it well off the bounce and he can make plays for others as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>21) [player_tooltip player_id='2242402' first='RJ' last='Jones'] | 6'2” CG | VA Academy (#61 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2548451,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImageqh0ss6.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImageqh0ss6.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2548451" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jones is one of the most underrated players in the entire state, as every time I see him play he shows he's a natural scorer who produces across the board and makes winning plays for his team. The 6'2” combo is a dead eye shooter from deep off the catch who can set his feet on the move, he gets to spots off the bounce and can hit tough shots, he's an unselfish playmaker and he has great instincts to jump passing lanes defensively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>20) [player_tooltip player_id='1630997' first='Elijah' last='Brandon'] | 5'10” PG | St. Chris (#59 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2548452,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImagenHXNjs.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImagenHXNjs.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2548452" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brandon is my pick as the breakout player in the Richmond area this year, as he'll move to being the primary ball handler this year for St. Chris and he's shown he's ready for it this past summer and through the fall. At 5'10” he's a strong built guard who can keep ball handlers in front of him, he's an absolute assassin from deep both off the catch and off the bounce, he's shifty with a tight handle and he makes plays for others as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>19) [player_tooltip player_id='2252297' first='Ty' last='Harris'] | 6'1” PG | Flint Hill (#56 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Harris is a talented guard in a talented backcourt for Flint Hill, and he has all the pieces around him to do what he does best which is run a team and create for others. He's a high IQ guard who can break down defenders and touch the paint at will, he makes open shots from deep at a very high clip and he's a good on ball defender with great instincts on that end of the floor too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>18) [player_tooltip player_id='2246278' first='Julian' last='Burgdolf'] | 5'10” PG | St. Stephen's St. Agnes (#54 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2350419,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/Screen-Shot-2024-02-14-at-4.39.16-PM.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/Screen-Shot-2024-02-14-at-4.39.16-PM.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2350419" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Burgdolf is set to have a breakout year for SSSAS after a solid showing as a sophomore, and while he isn't the biggest guy on the floor he's one of the most overall skilled guards you'll come across in this class. He plays with great pace and is a guy who can get wherever he wants on the floor with the ball in his hands, he's excellent in pick-and-rolls and makes great decisions, he scores it from multiple levels and he competes on both ends too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>17) [player_tooltip player_id='2459244' first='Amare' last='Cooper'] | 6'2” CG | Monacan (#52 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2448643,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/tempImagetNEyU6.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/tempImagetNEyU6.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2448643" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cooper had flashes of brilliance last year at Monacan and was fantastic this summer playing with Team Richmond's 17 and 16U group, and he's set to be one of the top players in Chesterfield this year. The 6'2” combo is a natural scorer who can fill it up in bunches with the ball in his hands, he can knock it down from deep at a good clip, he uses hesitations and changes speeds well and he's a crafty finisher around the rim.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>16) [player_tooltip player_id='2347779' first='Nick' last='Byrd'] | 5'10” PG | Hopewell (#46 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Byrd made a huge statement at the CBG JUCO/Prep jamboree last weekend playing against some of the top high school and even prep teams in the area, and he's in a great position with a talented group to lead the show for them this year. He's a throwback style floor general who sees the game in slow motion and makes everyone better, he has developed into a very good shooter from deep and he sets the tone on both ends of the floor for his team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->