Updated 2027 Rankings: Guards (5-1)

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.   Here's a look at the top 5 point and combo guards in the sophomore class rankings.   5) [player_tooltip player_id='2470569' first='Jemal' last='Smith'] | 6'1” PG | Highland School (#15 Overall)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/IMG_5548.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/IMG_5548.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2714752" /></a></figure>   <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol>   Smith was one of the few underclassmen on a Highland team that shocked everyone, playing a national schedule and winning the VISAA D-I State Championship and the EPL regular season championship, and we saw a lot of growth in him throughout the season. The 6'1” lead guard is quick off the bounce with the ability to blow by defenders and get in the paint where he can make plays for himself and others. He can make shots from deep when he's off the ball, he can get to spots in the midrange, he's a good finisher at the rim and he is a very good on ball defender as well.   4) [player_tooltip player_id='2353606' first='Amani' last='Asare'] | 6'0” PG | Potomac (#12 Overall)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/Headshot_AmaniAsare.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/Headshot_AmaniAsare.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2190349" /></a></figure>   <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol>   Asare transferred to Potomac from Bishop O'Connell where he played sparingly as a freshman, and he immediately became their go-to guy and put up big numbers throughout the season, earning First Team All Conference honors. Asare has always been able to score it dating back to his middle school days, and he's one of the more advanced scoring guards I've seen at his age with his blend of quickness and shot making ability. He can work off the ball and knock down shots from deep on the move, he's got great balance to create space and make tough shots in the midrange, he makes good decisions when the defense collapses and he can jump passing lanes and get easy buckets in transition too.   3) [player_tooltip player_id='2353625' first='Andrew' last='Ross'] | 6'3” CG | Paul VI (#11 Overall)   <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol>   Ross transferred to PVI from SSSAS this summer, and while he came off the bench throughout the season being behind some talented upperclassmen, it's easy to see why the Panthers are so high on him moving forward. The 6'3” combo has cat like quickness with a great first step and blazing speed in transition, and he couples that with a tight handle and change of direction to keep defenders off balance. He sees the floor well and can make plays for others, he can make shots from different levels both on and off the ball, he can get hot quickly and fill it up in bunches as well as his ability to guard the length of the floor.   2) [player_tooltip player_id='2353657' first='Kaylen' last='Chilton'] | 6'1” PG | Woodson (#5 Overall)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImageJLq0bB.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImageJLq0bB.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2562186" /></a></figure>   <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol>   Chilton has one of the most impressive resumes of any player in this class, earning All Conference honors as a freshman and sophomore and helping to lead Woodson to the Class 6 State Championship this year. He's best described in basketball terms as “just a hooper,” as he knows how to play the game and impacts the game in so many different ways. He handles pressure well and is able to work in both isolation and pick-and-roll scenarios to create shots, and he can fill it up in a lot of different ways from all over the floor. He's becoming more explosive and played above the rim consistently in transition this season, he can work off the ball and make shots on the move, he finishes well over bigger defenders and he brings great energy on both ends of the floor.   1) [player_tooltip player_id='2470549' first='Makel' last='Minor'] | 6'1” CG | Bishop O'Connell (#4 Overall)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/tempImage1R9AZd.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/tempImage1R9AZd.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2439393" /></a></figure>   <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol>   Minor is one of the most talented guards I've seen in the state regardless of class, and he's a player I think will vault himself into the nationally ranked discussion this summer with [program_tooltip program_id='2226307' first='Team' last='Loaded VA']. The 6'1” combo started his career at James Monroe where he scored 50 points in his first ever high school game, and he transferred to O'Connell this past season where he played a big part in them making a run to the VISAA D-I State Championship game. He's a super gifted scoring guard that can fill it up in so many different ways, and when he makes one he can get hot and hit very difficult shots while making it look easy. He has NBA range already, he is shifty off the bounce and strong when he needs to finish through contact, he gets to the line often and he can also make plays for others when he gets it going.

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.