Updated 2027 Rankings: Guards (15-6)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The highly anticipated new edition of the class of 2027 rankings have finally been released, with 75 players including over 20 new players to the list! As I've warned before, ranking classes before their junior season is very tricky, so consider this more of a continued starting point and not a final draft, as there are plenty of players who will emerge and improve and things will change a lot over the next few years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today, we take a look at part two of the guards rankings, looking at some of the top point and combo guards in the class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>15) [player_tooltip player_id='2194706' first='Kevin' last='Parker'] | 5'11” CG | Denbigh (#33 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Parker is a two sport star that also thrives on the football field, and he's set to have a big season for a Denbigh team that could surprise some people this year in the Peninsula District. Parker's a dead eye shooter from deep with good range and a quick release, he's a natural athlete who is dynamic off the bounce and he's a high IQ playmaker on both ends of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>14) [player_tooltip player_id='2353638' first='Kevin' last='McClinton Jr.'] | 6'2” CG | Wakefield (#31 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McClinton showed a lot of flashes as a freshman for Wakefield and he's one we'll be watching very closely as he's got tons of upside moving forward. He has great positional size already and is likely still growing, he can knock down shots from deep off the ball, he can get downhill and finish with the ball in his hands and he shows good instincts defensively as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>13) Jonathan “JJ” Bell | 6'1” PG | Gar-field (#30 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bell had a great freshman year for Gar-field as one of their top scorers and playmaker that only got better throughout the year, and he's set to have a big sophomore year as their go-to guy this season. He can handle pressure and works well in pick-and-rolls, he can knock down shots from deep and moves well when he's off the ball, he can make tough shots from multiple levels and sets the tone on both ends of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>12) [player_tooltip player_id='2470573' first='Cam' last='Claiborne'] | 5'11” PG | John Marshall (#29 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2548484,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImageVD9lZc.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImageVD9lZc.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2548484" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Claiborne gets overshadowed at times on this super talented JM team with two senior guards heading to the A10, but he'll play a big role for them off the bench and has shown he would be one of the top players in RVA if he was anywhere else. The 5'11” guard plays with poise and doesn't get sped up, he makes shots from deep at a very good clip on or off the ball, he's a crafty finisher and he's an unselfish playmaker too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>11) [player_tooltip player_id='2454552' first='Jeremiah' last='Stanford'] | 6'1” PG | Fairfax Christian (#25 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stanford transfers to Fairfax Christian this year where he'll be starting in the backcourt for their new look squad, and he's shown he's one of their most well rounded contributors and players as well. At 6'1” he already has a great frame to play either guard position, he is dynamic in transition and gets downhill in the half court where he finishes well in traffic, he can make an array of shots and is a tone setter defensively too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>10) Jamal “Deuce” Price Jr. | 6'0” PG | Bishop Ireton (#22 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Price is another player that has to deal with some more experienced guards ahead of him in a crowded backcourt, but the two sport star is a big time athlete who is a spark plug that can make plays on both ends of the floor. He's an excellent on ball defender who makes ball handlers uncomfortable, he's a blur in transition and makes great decisions with the ball in his hands, he touches the paint to make plays and he plays with grit and energy on both ends.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>9) [player_tooltip player_id='2353675' first='Noah' last='Farley'] | 5'11” CG | Floyd County (#21 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2548687,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImageN1EJS1.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImageN1EJS1.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2548687" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Farley had one of the best seasons of any freshman in the state last year, as he was Floyd's best shooter and had the green light when he stepped on the floor from day one. The 5'11” combo is nothing short of an elite shooter who has a quick release and effortless form, he has developed his handle to be able to create space off the bounce, he gets hot quickly and scores it in bunches and he is a scrappy player willing to do the dirty work too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>8) [player_tooltip player_id='2353676' first='Quimar' last='Crittendon'] | 5'11” PG | Churchland (#18 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Crittendon is part of a talented young group of guards in the 757 in both the 2026 and 2027 class, and he's set to have a big sophomore season where he'll be their primary ball handler and playmaker for the Truckers. The 5'11” guard is explosive off the bounce with a quick first step and good end-to-end speed, he changes speeds and directions with the ability to stop on a dime, he can make shots from multiple levels and has huge upside as an on ball defender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>7) [player_tooltip player_id='2470569' first='Jemal' last='Smith'] | 6'1” PG | Highland School (#16 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smith is another player that is behind some very good upperclassmen on a Highland team that is one of the best in the state, but the way he played this summer and in the preseason it's going to be hard to keep him off the floor when they need plays to be made. He's a shifty guard with a tight handle and the ability to break down defenders in isolation, he has good range from deep, he's strong finisher in the paint and in the midrange area and he exudes toughness on both ends of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>6) [player_tooltip player_id='2353606' first='Amani' last='Asare'] | 5'11” PG | Potomac (#13 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2190349,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/Headshot_AmaniAsare.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/Headshot_AmaniAsare.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2190349" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Asare transferred to Potomac from O'Connell before the school year started, and after showing flashes in the WCAC as a freshman he's set to have a huge year for a very talented Potomac team that is known for producing very good guards. Asare is as talented as they come, as he has the quickness and shot making ability to fill it up with the best of them. He's shifty with good burst to get to the rim off the bounce, he can create space and make tough shots from multiple levels and he can make plays for others as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->