2026 Rankings: New Guards

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this article I feature guards that have made their way into the 2026 rankings. Many of them impressed me with their play in the post season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2806939"],"_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-67d1a369497c7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2806939' first='Amir' last='Wright'] made positive impacts on both ends of the court for the Chargers this season. On offense, he is capable of facilitating shots for his teammates. He's also a decent shot maker and has some range. On defense, he plays with effort and intensity. Which helped him create some turnovers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2024-2025 Season Stats - 11.5 PPG, 2.8 APG, 2.8 RPG, 1.4 SPG</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2806784"],"_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-67d1a3694987d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2806784' first='Zayden' last='Jeffries'] was second on the team in the scoring department for Legacy this year. He has a consistent shooting stroke, and ended up averaging 13.8 PPG. On the other end of the court, he stays with his guy and leverages his wingspan to keep them from getting quick shots up. As long as he keeps improving, I think his stock can keep rising. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2805995"],"_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-67d1a369498f3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2805995' first='Luke' last='Mills'] is a both a point guard and 3-point specialist. He can distribute the rock to his forwards or wings. But he also has the ability to pull up from beyond the arc and splash 3's. His outside shooting helps keep the defense honest, and you have to respect his speed too. Although Needles didn't quite finish the season they wanted to (losing in the 2A State Title), Mills definitely made a name for himself and I wouldn't be surprised to see him playing in the championship again in 2026. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2024-2025 Season Stats - 18.9 PPG, 3.9 APG, 2.2 RPG, 2.2 SPG</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2806789"],"_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-67d1a369499a2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2806789' first='Brady' last='Hummel'] is a two sport athlete and just picked up an offer from Army for football. If you watch him play, you'll notice that he's more aggressive than your average player. When he is looking to score, he can bully his way past weaker defenders. He's also not someone you want guarding you, as he won't give up anything easy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2024-2025 Season Stats - 6.7 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 2.2 APG, 1.2 SPG</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2796676"],"_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-67d1a36949a1a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">State champion, [player_tooltip player_id='2796676' first='Luke' last='Lannom'], comes in at #84 in the rankings. He probably could've been included in my "new shooters" article. He can connect on long distance shots and also hit some high pressure free throws in the 1A Title game. Lannom is a decent passer as well, and knows how to keep his eyes up when he's attacking. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->