Updated 2027 Rankings: Guards (15-6)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We recently updated our class of 2027 rankings, with a lot of new players as we learn more about the class as they grow and develop. Things have shaken up quite a bit, with over 25 new names being added to the rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at part two of the top point and combo guards in the sophomore class rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>15) [player_tooltip player_id='2353638' first='Kevin' last='McClinton Jr.'] | 6'2” CG | Wakefield (#35 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McClinton is a two sport star who also thrives on the football field, and he's had a great start to his career as he's been one of the most consistent young guards in the NOVA area at Wakefield since the first day he stepped on the court. He's a good athlete who moves his feet well and sets the tone defensively, he thrives in transition with his speed and playmaking ability and he can knock down open shots from deep and moves well off the ball to get easy shots off of cuts and screens.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>14) Jonathan “JJ” Bell | 6'1” PG | Gar-field (#33 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bell stepped in from day one at Gar-field where he showed he can play with the best of them, and he improved a lot in his sophomore year putting up big numbers consistently throughout the season. He's a microwave scorer who can get it going and fill it up in bunches from all over the floor, he's quick and shifty with the ability to get to the lane and finish at the rim or with floaters, he can drill it from deep with good range and he understands how to work off the ball to get open as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>13) [player_tooltip player_id='2788037' first='Kevin' last='Reyes'] | 6'0” PG | Stone Bridge (#32 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Reyes was one of the breakout players in NOVA public schools this year, earning All Region honors and showing he's one of the best lead guards in the class moving forward. While he isn't the biggest guy he's still growing and has all the intangibles you like in a smaller guard, he has a great IQ and feel as a playmaker, he has a quick first step and changes speeds well to create space and he can score it from all over the floor with the ball in his hands.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>12) [player_tooltip player_id='2815291' first='Justin' last='Huang'] | 6'3” CG | Blue Ridge (#31 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2731738,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/tempImagenTVLma.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/tempImagenTVLma.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2731738" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Huang came to Blue Ridge from Taiwan this year, and although he was on an experienced and talented team with a lot of good guards he showed he could be the guy in the future moving forward for them. He has great positional size and a strong frame that allows him to be physical on the defensive end, he's smooth with the ball in his hands and makes great reads and decisions, he can score it on or off the ball from all over and he plays with a great motor on both ends too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>11) [player_tooltip player_id='2470573' first='Cam' last='Claiborne'] | 5'11” PG | John Marshall (#30 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2548484,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImageVD9lZc.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImageVD9lZc.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2548484" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Claiborne is another player who was on a team full of talented upperclassmen, but he carved out a nice role throughout the season helping John Marshall win their fifth straight Class 2 State Championship. He's a well-rounded guard who can create for himself and others off the bounce, he finishes well with both hands over bigger defenders when he gets downhill, he shoots it very well from deep and he has great instincts on the defensive end too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>10) [player_tooltip player_id='2353624' first='Jeremiah' last='Stanford'] | 6'1” PG | Fairfax Christian (#28 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stanford helped Fairfax Christian win a third straight VISAA D-III State Championship, and is part of a team that will return everyone barring transfers and will be a key piece for them over the next few years. The 6'1” guard is one of the few guys who can create for others without needing a ball screen with his quick first step and blow by ability, he can drill it from deep and make shots on the move and he plays with a lot of toughness on both ends of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>9) [player_tooltip player_id='2353610' first='Jayden' last='Betz'] | 6'0” PG | Episcopal (#27 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Betz is emerging as one of the top guards in the DMV area on one of the best young teams in the DMV area, and he's going to be a guy to watch for over the next few years as he continues to develop. The 6'0” lead guard is able to impact the game in a lot of different ways as he is athletic and quick off the bounce to touch the paint, he's a good finisher at the rim, he can score it from deep on and off the ball and he is a very good defender too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>8) Jamal “Deuce” Price Jr. | 6'0” PG | Bishop Ireton (#25 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Price is a natural athlete who thrives both on the football field and on the basketball court, and he plays the game with the intensity of a football playmaker as well. He uses his athleticism to sit down and guard while also flying around to jump passing lanes, he is dynamic in transition with his speed and ability to make plays for others and he can create for himself and score it in a number of ways too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>7) [player_tooltip player_id='2353676' first='Quimar' last='Crittendon'] | 6'0” PG | Churchland (#19 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Crittendon built on an impressive freshman season to help lead Churchland to a state tournament appearance, and he was named All Region as a sophomore for leading his team to that success. The 6'0” guard is both crafty and quick with the ability to push in transition and blow by defenders in the half court, he is a very good finisher in the midrange and at the rim, he makes good decisions with the ball in his hands and he's a playmaker on both ends of the floor too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>6) [player_tooltip player_id='2194713' first='Callen' last='Morrison'] | 5'8” PG | Woodside (#17 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Morrison was forced to take a bigger role this year due to some injuries, and despite being just a sophomore he showed he can run an elite team and led Woodside to a state semifinal appearance as their primary ball handler and playmaker. While he isn't the biggest guy on the floor, he has a lot of the tools you like in a little guard with his blend of toughness, skill and IQ. He makes great decisions and sees the floor well, he stays out of traps and keeps his dribble alive against pressure, he can score it efficiently from multiple levels and he sets the tone on the defensive end with his ball pressure.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->