Updated 2027 Rankings: Guards (25-16)

<!-- 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 one of the guards rankings, looking at some of the top point and combo guards in the class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>25) [player_tooltip player_id='2353642' first='Soren' last='Kyne'] | 6'2” CG | Centreville (#52 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kyne is a player that developed nicely over his freshman season and is set to have a big sophomore year at Centreville, and will be a player to watch as he continues to improve. He's a high motor and hard working player who brings it on both ends of the floor, he can knock down shots from deep and he is a good finisher when attacking downhill.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>24) [player_tooltip player_id='2470583' first='Trey' last='Barnhart'] | 6'2” CG | Kellam (#51 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2502944,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/tempImagekcnpFl.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/tempImagekcnpFl.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2502944" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Barnhart was one of the top freshmen in the Beach District last year, emerging as a go-to player for Kellam toward the end of the year, and he had a great summer with Loaded 757 as well. The 6'2” guard is highly skilled as he can handle pressure and get to spots off the bounce, he can hit tough shots from all three levels and he has a great IQ as a playmaker as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>23) [player_tooltip player_id='2624539' first='Austin' last='Agosto'] | 5'9” PG | Blue Ridge (#48 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Agosto is a new name for a new look Blue Ridge team that will look to make another deep playoff run, and he's following his brother who was a multiple state champ at Blue Ridge in the late 2010s. At 5'9” he isn't the biggest player but he's lightning quick with the ball in his hands and puts pressure on the defense, he's a very good on ball defender who can turn ball handlers and force turnovers and he makes others around him better too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>22) [player_tooltip player_id='2252325' first='Daylen' last='Martino'] | 5'10” PG | Fairfax Christian (#47 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Martino was a standout at Meridian earning District Player of the Year before transferring to Fairfax Christian and reclassifying, and it looks like he will be running the show for them as they go for a third straight state championship. Martino is a skilled ball handler and handles pressure very well, he can knock down shots from deep and get to spots off the bounce and he sets the tone on the defensive end too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>21) [player_tooltip player_id='2623725' first='Jay' last='Capel'] | 6'1” PG | Westfield (#45 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Capel may have to wait his turn as Westfield is chock full of talented guards with more experience, but they'll have to let him rock at times as he's too talented and makes things happen when he's on the floor. He's a tough slasher who can beat defenders in isolation and make plays in the pick-and-roll, he can score the ball in a variety of ways and he brings a lot oof intensity to his team as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>20) [player_tooltip player_id='2470581' first='Antonio' last='Mack'] | 6'2” PG | North Cross (#44 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>North Cross is a team to keep an eye on for the next few years, as they have a super talented young backcourt with Mack and fellow sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2470586' first='Jessiah' last='Hines'] who can absolutely fill it up in&nbsp; so many different ways. Mack is a big and physical guard who can get downhill and use his size to finish through traffic, he can light it up from deep and he is a very good rebounder for his position too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>19) [player_tooltip player_id='2546241' first='Micah' last='Young'] | 6'0” PG | Paul VI (#43 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Young is another player that may get overshadowed with all the talent on his team, but he's shown throughout the summer and the fall that he can play with the best of them too. The 6'0” lefty is a smooth guard who can handle it and make plays for others, he is a knock down shooter from deep with range and consistency and he changes speeds well to be able to create off the bounce.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>18) [player_tooltip player_id='2470580' first='Elijah' last='Simpkins'] | 6'2” CG | Bishop Ireton (#41 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Simpkins is a very intriguing prospect who could see him move up this list as he continues to improve, and he'll be a crucial piece off the bench for a talented Ireton team this year. The lefty combo guard has good size and is a plus athlete that is likely still growing, he is dynamic in transition, can score it from multiple levels and has huge upside defensively too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>17) Donnell Jarrett Jr. | 5'11” CG | Woodside (#35 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jarrett is another one of those guards that is simply stuck in a crowded backcourt with a ton of older players, but he's one to keep an eye on in the next few years as he will be a very good guard moving forward. He has a frame that should fill out as he continues to grow, he's a dead eye shooter from deep, he has a great IQ and makes the right play consistently and he brings great energy defensively too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>16) [player_tooltip player_id='2353610' first='Jayden' last='Betz'] | 6'0” PG | Episcopal (#34 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Betz is coming off a big summer and is set to be a crucial piece for a talented Episcopal team this year, and he'll have a chance to move up the rankings as he continues to develop. The 6'0” guard is silky smooth off the bounce with a great handle and footwork to change directions, he is a knock down shooter from deep with good range and he's a high IQ player who makes winning plays on both ends of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->