2026 Rankings: Stock Rising Guards

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this article I feature guards that impressed me over the course of the last few months.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Statistically, they all had great seasons. But beyond the numbers, they also play with the grit and determination that a college guard needs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1945207"],"_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-67cf56a38d4db"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Previous rank #3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1945207' first='Dominic' last='Rudd'] moves up a spot after having a phenomenal season for Paragon Academy. They played in the highly competitive EIBC league, and Rudd more than held his own. Despite being one of the younger guys on the team, he led the team in scoring and consistently lit it up from beyond the arc. His season high was 40 points (against Grover Cleveland), and he averaged over four 3-pointers a game. In conference play, the other EIBC teams caught on to his lethal shooting ability, but he still found ways to score. I was also a fan of his defense. As he can rack up steals in a hurry, and occasionally he'll get a block.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2024-2025 Season Stats - 22 PPG, 5 RPG, 3 SPG</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1253141"],"_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-67cf56a38d575"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Previous rank #7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1253141' first='Jayonni' last='Durrough'] had a lot to do with Centennial's success this season. In the games that I watched him play, I noticed that he has a way of slicing through the defense. Many defenders had issues with how crafty he can be, and in turn he was able to get to the free throw line fairly often. Durrough is also a willing passer and can hit shots from the outside. On the defensive end, Durrough gives max effort and I like how he doesn't give opponents much room to operate. Look for him to have a big AAU season again with the Knicks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2024-2025 Season Stats - 20 PPG, 8 RPG, 2.5 SPG</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1494682"],"_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-67cf56a38d5e3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Previous rank #10</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1494682' first='Kayden' last='Goss'] gets bumped in the rankings 3 spots after putting together a solid high school season. On offense, I like how he hunts shots, but also knows when to look for his teammates. He also has more than a few moves in his bag to help him create his own shot. On defense, he looks to play the passing lanes and his size helps him guard quick players. Goss will also be playing for the Knicks and could pick up more interest if he keeps playing well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2024-2025 Season Stats - 14.5 PPG, 3.5 APG, 3.1 RPG, 1.5 SPG</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1667943"],"_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-67cf56a38d690"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Previous rank #14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1667943' first='Zyon' last='Harris'] was the floor general for the Centennial Bulldogs this season. He was able to generate offense for them with his ball-handling skills and court vision. When he drives to the cup, he can keep his eyes up. Allowing him to find his teammates down on the block or in the corners. Harris showcased his own scoring abilities as well, especially in the game against Coronado. Where he dropped 28 points and the Bulldogs pulled off the upset. At the moment he has one D1 offer from Southern Utah, and there could be more on the way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1974915"],"_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-67cf64df759e6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Previous rank #30</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Toms moves up more than 15 spots after averaging 20+ PPG and helping lead his Panthers to the playoffs. He knows when to accelerate when he has the rock, and can make tough shots once he's near the rim. He can also hit shots from the perimeter and doesn't force much. On defense, he utilizes his lateral quickness to cut off his opponents and to jump into passing lanes. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2024-2025 Season Stats - 21.5 PPG, 4 RPG, 2.5 SPG</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->