Updated 2026 Rankings: Guards (25-16)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the recent update of our class of 2026 rankings, we will take a look at positional rankings between guards, wings and forwards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at part one of the top point and combo guards in the junior class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>25) [player_tooltip player_id='1966646' first='Noah' last='Barnhart'] | 6'1” CG | Robinson (#75 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Barnhart has been the go-to guy for Robinson over the past few years, and he's shown he's one of the best guards in NOVA public schools in that time. The 6'1” combo is an all-around guard who can score it from multiple levels off the bounce or off the catch, he's strong and athletic to get in the paint and finish through contact and he sets the tone on both ends too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>24) [player_tooltip player_id='2148734' first='Elijah' last='Gaskins'] | 6'1” PG | Patriot (#70 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gaskins stepped in and was perhaps the most impactful player for Patriot on their run to the state championship, earning All Region honors and emerging as one of the top guards in the DMV. The 6'1” lead guard is a player who makes everyone on his team better with his playmaking ability, he's able to create for himself and others off the bounce, he's a great on ball defender and he always seemed to come up big when his team needed him to.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>23) [player_tooltip player_id='2788496' first='Isaiah' last='Harris'] | 6'1” PG | Albemarle (#65 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Harris is a two sport star who also shines on the football field, and he was absolutely fantastic this season leading Albemarle to the Class 5 state championship before falling in heart breaking fashion to Green Run. Harris is a big time athlete who thrives in transition with his speed and explosiveness, he gets downhill aggressively and finishes well through contact, he can score it in a number of ways and is a very good defender as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>22) [player_tooltip player_id='2510345' first='Justin' last='Jones'] | 6'2” CG | Atlantic Shores (#64 Overall) </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1910741,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/Jones-Justin.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/Jones-Justin.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1910741" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jones just continues to get better and better, as he was named Metro Conference Player of the Year and was one of the top scorers in the 757 this season as well. The 6'2” combo is a strong and skilled guard who can get to spots off the bounce and play through contact, he scores it well both off the catch and off the bounce, he has a good IQ on both ends and he's a continuous worker who is never satisfied and wants to get better.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>21) Dezmon Ainswoth | 6'4” CG | St. Michael (#63 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2562159,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImageB2QeDw.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImageB2QeDw.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2562159" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ainsworth had a big junior season after transferring to St. Michael and helping lead them to the VISAA D-III semifinals, and he has a lot of traits that translate well as a prospect to the next level. He's a big guard who can see over defenses and use his size to switch and guard multiple positions, he gets to spots and can score it from multiple levels, he makes plays for others off the bounce and he's a good rebounder for his position too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>20) [player_tooltip player_id='2242402' first='RJ' last='Jones'] | 6'2” CG | VA Academy (#61 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2548451,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImageqh0ss6.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImageqh0ss6.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2548451" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jones is a super talented scoring guard who led VA Academy to a very good season this year, putting up big numbers on a regular basis and being one of the top scorers in the NOVA area this year. He's a knock down shooter from deep with in the gym range and a quick release, he can handle it and create space in the midrange and when he gets downhill and he can get hot quickly and fill it up in bunches to change the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>19) [player_tooltip player_id='2252297' first='Ty' last='Harris'] | 6'1” PG | Flint Hill (#60 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Harris sometimes gets overshadowed in a very crowded backcourt at Flint Hill, but there's no doubt he's going to get the chance to be more of a go-to guy his senior season. The 6'1” guard is smooth as they come with the ability to break down defenders and get downhill at will, he has good speed in transition and sees the floor very well, he can make shots from multiple levels and he has a knack for making plays when they need it the most.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>18) [player_tooltip player_id='1630997' first='Elijah' last='Brandon'] | 5'10” PG | St. Chris (#58 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2548452,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImagenHXNjs.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImagenHXNjs.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2548452" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brandon is one of the top guards in the Richmond area, as the 5'10” lead guard had a breakout season leading the Saints to beat a lot of good teams and putting up big numbers consistently. He's one of the more skilled guards in RVA as he can make shots well beyond the NBA line, he can handle it and create space to make difficult shots, he's a physical defender who doesn't shy away from contact and he has a great IQ and vision as a playmaker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>17) [player_tooltip player_id='2459244' first='Amare' last='Cooper'] | 6'2” CG | Monacan (#53 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2448643,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/tempImagetNEyU6.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/tempImagetNEyU6.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2448643" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cooper had flashes as a sophomore that showed he was on his way to becoming one of the best guards in the Richmond area, and he followed it up with some of the biggest scoring games in the area throughout the season. He's a natural bucket getter who has good wiggle off the bounce and is a crafty finisher when he gets downhill, he can score it off the bounce from the midrange, he shoots it well from deep off the catch and he has true takeover ability when he gets it going.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>16) [player_tooltip player_id='2347779' first='Nick' last='Byrd'] | 6'0” PG | Hopewell (#48 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Byrd has been the floor general at Hopewell since his freshman season, and this year he had a true breakout season helping lead the Blue Devils to the Class 3 State Championship before falling to Spotswood and having some big games along the way. He's able to control the tempo and is dynamic as a playmaker in transition, he's very good working pick-and-rolls and makes great reads out of them, he has improved in his ability to score it from deep and in the midrange and he's got a competitive chip you can't teach.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->