2025 Rankings: Stock Rising Guards

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I had the opportunity to watch more than few talented guards play this past high school season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In my opinion, each of these players made very strong cases to move up in the rankings and to play in college.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1340907"],"_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-67c7936eb11d9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Previously ranked #30</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1340907' first='Gaston' last='Zumaya'] recently transferred to Paragon Academy. Since joining the Knights, he has been putting his scoring abilities on full display. He uses change of direction and switches up his pace to create separation. Zumaya also has the juice to throw dunk a dunk if given the opportunity. The other reason he has moved up the ranks quite a bit is due to his 3-point shooting. He can connect on more than three 3-pointers a game, which makes him even tougher to guard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1486090"],"_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-67c7974ba8749"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Previously ranked #16</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Don't let Darden Jr. get downhill or he will burn you. He has the speed and finishing ability to make not so easy shots around the basket. He's also a decent shooter from the perimeter. On defense, Darden Jr. leverages his lateral quickness to come up with steals and can push transition after said steal. All in all, he put together a solid senior campaign. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1267555"],"_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-67c7936eb1255"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Previously ranked #19</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The two time state champion had a phenomenal season. He averaged 17.1 PPG and just over 2.5 3-pointers per game. His slick ball-handling skills and bursts of speed allowed him to get shots off taller defenders. Dacuma did damage from the free throw line as well, shooting 89% this year. I was also a fan of how he competed and got after it on the defensive end. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1252347"],"_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-67c7936eb12ba"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Previously ranked #23</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1252347' first='Jaden' last='Riley'] moves up the rankings a couple of spots because of his floor general skills and scoring prowess. He was very consistent for Liberty with his production, which led to them being one of the top 5A teams. Perhaps his best game in my opinion, was when he dominated the second half against American Fork and helped the Patriots pull out the win. When he wants to get to his spots or to the line, he's quite capable. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Riley averaged 15.1 PPG this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2515172"],"_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-67c7936eb131f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Previously ranked #64</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2515172' first='Jalen' last='St. Clair'] ran the show for the Coronado Cougars this year. He had a decent amount of shooting around him. which led to him averaging 4 assists a game. St. Clair is also a solid shooter in his own right, and made some 3-pointers from NBA range (ie the Bishop Gorman game). The other thing that I've noticed about his game is the intensity that he plays with. He doesn't take possessions off. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Averaged 9.7 PPG</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1970812"],"_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-67c7936eb137d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Previously ranked #43</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Brigance was a big reason why Silverado had so much success towards the end of the season and in the playoffs. He truly knows how to create his own shot and can navigate defensive pressure in the paint at a high level. Brigance doesn't just get to the rack though, he can also hit long distance two's and 3-pointers as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Averaged 14.3 PPG</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->