Top new guards from 2026 Rankings Update

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our 2026 rankings update saw almost 20 new names get added to our rankings list. In this article we'll break down four guards who made their debut during this update.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2726595"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67b75bbd33c57"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of my favorite small town guards to watch in the 2026 class, Bates is the engine behind a John Glenn squad that starts four juniors and is already one of the top teams in eastern Ohio. With his creativity as an isolation scorer, Bates has the dribble moves to beat his defender off the bounce and score using floaters or layups at the rim. I was also impressed by John Glenn's scrappiness using the full court press that Bates was a part of on the defensive end of the court. I'm assuming Bates will be a priority target for local program Muskingum but I also anticipate his talents being of interest to a handful of other small college programs that will get to know him this spring and summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2612792"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67b75bbd33cfe"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A baseball first prospect, Wardrop had a strong season for a young Toledo Central Catholic squad that started all juniors and sophomores. Wardrop can really shoot the basketball off the catch as his movement shooting ability is hard to find. He was named to the Detroit Catholic League all league team after averaging 12 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists a contest. I've started to see more baseball-basketball multi-sport athletes in the past few years and Wardrop is one of the best in Ohio. We'll see if he can make some big plays this March as Toledo Central Catholic will look to make a run in a tricky Division III northwest region.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1939234"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67b75bbd33d6e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the more under the radar names in the Dayton area, I caught Bailey for WV Gold 16 U in the summer and while I didn't get to see Tippecanoe this year, Bailey led his team to a conference title while leading the league in scoring. An impressive shooter from the outside knocking down over 40 3-pointers already this season, Bailey has taken a step as a passer, finishing second in the conference at 3.5 assists per game. I'll be sure to catch Bailey again in person during the summer to get an up-to-date evaluation.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2436888"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67b75bbd33dd9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the top small town teams in northwest Ohio, Pettisville went 17-4 this season with Leppelmeier leading the way. Another player I got to see this summer, Leppelmeier's northwest Ohio team made their way to Columbus for a Prep Hoops Circuit event. I was impressed by his decision making as a passer and patience attacking off the bounce. Pettisville split the conference title with Edon and Montpelier and Leppelmeier scored 38 points in a signature victory over Montpelier, his best performance of the season. Look for regional small college programs to get familiar with Leppelmeier this summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->