2025 Rankings Update: The Combo Guards

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We continue our positional breakdown for the&nbsp;<em>Class of 2025</em>&nbsp;with a look at some of New England's most notable&nbsp;<em>Combo Guards</em>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2546101' first='Killyan' last='Toure']</strong><em> </em>checks in as the top ranked <em>Combo Guard</em> in New England. A dynamic athlete at <em>Brewster Academy</em>, he's a game changer on the defensive end of the floor with his ability to shut down opposing ball handlers while being disruptive in passing lanes. Offensively, he has a quick first step, good floor vision as a passer, and the ability to finish above the rim with authority.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/position-ranking-table {"name":"acf/position-ranking-table","data":{"class":"2025","_class":"field_65cfb7374abb9","position":"77244","_position":"field_65cfbfcb19ad6","national_rankings":"0","_national_rankings":"field_660c1d73c0e49","state":"77239","_state":"field_65cfb88a603fe"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-675a42014245f"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below, we'll take a look at ten more&nbsp;<em>Combo Guards</em>&nbsp;to watch from the&nbsp;<em>Class of 2025</em>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">[player_tooltip player_id='1379225' first='Jakye' last='Rainey']</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rainey, a 6'1" guard at <em>Vermont Academy</em>, is a big time scorer that can get it done as an on-ball or off-ball scorer. He has a compact, muscular build that allows him to finish through contact in the paint. He's a tough downhill driver that has good vision in the half-court. Most notably is his ability to knock down shots from behind the arc; he already has multiple games this season of 4+ threes made.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">[player_tooltip player_id='2685923' first='Elijah' last='Parker']</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A <strong><em>Central Connecticut State</em></strong> commit, Parker is a 6'3" guard that does a nice job of operating as a playmaker in the half-court. The <em>St. Thomas More</em> product is a multi-level scorer that shows nice burst off the bounce but is also capable of knocking down shots in catch and shoot situations from the corners. He's an active defender that causes a lot of problems for other teams in passing lanes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">[player_tooltip player_id='2641988' first='Nathan' last='Brazil']</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brazil, a 6'0" combo guard at <em>South Kent</em>, is an electric open floor playmaker. He's a dynamic athlete that can finish plays above the rim, does a great job of attacking the defense in transition, and has proven to be an efficient perimeter shooter so far this season. His length, combined with his athleticism, allows him to be a good point of attack defender that can guard multiple positions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Nico Pena</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A microwave scorer at <em>Putnam Science Academy</em>, Pena has quickly made a name for himself in New England, including a recent 18 point game in which he knocked down six threes. A compact guard that's at his best off the ball, he does a good job of finding open passing lanes and doing his work early to get into his jumper. His ability to rebound from the guard position has also stood out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">[player_tooltip player_id='2686234' first='Octavius' last='Wheeler']</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wheeler, a 6'1" shot creator, has taken his game to another level early on in the season. Another <em>Putnam Science Academy</em> product, he's a good athlete that can really attack the rim in transition. He's shifty in the half court, able to navigate through tight spaces with his dribble, and shows a lot of creativity around the rim as a finisher. Defensively, he does a good job of hounding the ball and creating turnovers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">[player_tooltip player_id='2633107' first='Tzar' last='Powell-Aparicio']</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A high motor guard out of <em>Lowell</em>, Powell-Aparicio has the ability to break down a defense off the bounce and score at multiple levels. He has the ability to rise up and finish above the rim in traffic, does a good job of keeping his dribble alive off drives, and has become a consistent perimeter shooter this offseason. He can guard in space and is a terrific rebounder from the guard spot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">[player_tooltip player_id='2633561' first='Jordan' last='Harris']</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Harris, a 6'3" combo guard at <em>Bridgeport Prep</em>, is a dynamic athlete that can make plays in the open floor on both ends of the court. His athleticism stands out on the defensive end, where he's capable of making loud plays in passing lanes or protecting the rim. Offensively, he excels as a slasher, running the floor well and getting to the rim where he can finish over length or through contact.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">[player_tooltip player_id='1529121' first='Giacomo' last='Kaplan']</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A high IQ, playmaking guard at <em>Belmont Hill</em>, Kaplan does a nice job of making plays as both a scorer and facilitator. The <em><strong>Emory</strong></em> commit is a solid decision maker that makes good reads out of ball screens, is a consistent shot maker from behind the arc, and does a good job of pushing the pace in transition for easy baskets. Defensively, he's capable of locking down opposing ball handlers at the point of attack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">[player_tooltip player_id='2634081' first='Nathan' last='Comerford']</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Comerford, a big combo guard at <em>CATS Academy</em>, has a versatile game on the offensive end of the floor. At 6'5", he has the size to take smaller guards into the post, does a good job of moving without the ball to find catch and shoot situations, and consistently seems to play under control without getting sped up. His size and strength allows him to guard multiple positions while providing an impact on the defensive glass.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">[player_tooltip player_id='2547088' first='Lennon' last='Abreu De-La-Cruz']</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A tough combo guard from <em>Methuen</em>, Abrea De-La-Cruz is a jack of all trades. He can play on or off the ball on the offensive end, has some nice burst in the open floor, can make tough shots from multiple levels, and does a good job of finishing through contact at the rim. On the other end, he plays with high energy, can guard the ball at the point of attack, and has a toughness to him that he utilizes on the glass.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Keep an eye out for our next rankings update positional breakdown, a look at 2025's <em>shooting guards</em>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->