Which guards from NOVA are excelling in ballscreen action?

With new rankings in the work and the grassroots season in full swing, we decided it was time to take a look at some of the particulars that make certain prospects excel at specific parts of the game.   Today, we take a look at 7 of the best ball screen guards in the Northern VA area, players that can create for themselves and others using ball screens and will eat your defense up when doing so.   [player_tooltip player_id='2252287' first='Darius' last='Bivins'] | 6'0” PG | Bishop O'Connell 2026   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/eZy-Watermark_13-07-2023_10-32-29-7080PM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/eZy-Watermark_13-07-2023_10-32-29-7080PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2083600" /></a></figure>   Bivins is considered by many one of the top floor generals in his class in the entire country, and if you had a clinic to show how to use ball screens he could be the example you use as he is extremely efficient in them. The 6'0” guard approaches them the right way with patience and sets his defender up well, he makes great pre screen reads to whatever coverage they are running, he can put his defender in jail or drag it out, he makes great reads on rotations and he can kill you in the midrange if you play him for the pass.   [player_tooltip player_id='1782590' first='Lawrence' last='Brown'] | 5'11” PG | Paul VI 2026   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/turkbrown-pvi-26.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/turkbrown-pvi-26.png?w=852" alt="" class="wp-image-2722122" /></a></figure>   Brown is another example of a text book pick-and-roll guard, as the PVI floor general is one of the most talented passers I've seen in my years covering VA basketball. He's dynamic coming off screens with the ability to turn the corner and get to the rim if the help is lazy, he can deliver almost every pass imaginable with either hand and puts it on the money for his shooters or rollers, he can drag out mismatches and isolate them, and he can score it in the midrange too.   [player_tooltip player_id='2301294' first='Akim' last='Iscandari'] | 6'0” PG | Potomac School 2026   Iscandari is great in ball screens for reasons different than the ones mentioned before, as he has deadly speed that makes it very hard to game plan coverage for him as he can get downhill and get to the rim in the blink of an eye. He excels in turning down ball screens and using push dribbles to get to the paint, he beat hard hedges and still turn the corner to get to the rim, he finishes well in traffic and he makes great reads on kick-outs due to defenders having to over help.   [player_tooltip player_id='1963397' first='Chris' last='Morrison'] | 6'2” CG | West Potomac 2026   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/Screen-Shot-2023-09-29-at-4.54.02-PM.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/Screen-Shot-2023-09-29-at-4.54.02-PM.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2219612" /></a></figure>   Morrison has been one of the best ball screen guards in the NOVA public school for years now, and he thrives in his ability to use his size to hold off defenders to make reads or get downhill and finish through contact. He has a methodical approach with the ability to put trailing defenders on his hip and keep them there to finish at the rim, he can knock down shots off the bounce when defenders go under, he makes good reads and finds the right option off the ball screen, and he is able to draw fouls while attacking too.   [player_tooltip player_id='2246278' first='Julian' last='Burgdolf'] | 6'0” PG | St. Stephen's St. Agnes 2026   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/IMG_5131.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/IMG_5131.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2683842" /></a></figure>   Burgdolf is the type of guard that was put on the basketball court to run ball screens, as he has the ability to both score it and make plays for others with just a flat ball screen at the top of the key or on the wing as well. He's a very good shooter off the bounce so if he gets space on an under or a drop he can burn the defense from deep or in the midrange, he sees the game ahead of others and makes great reads on different coverages and he can get downhill where he is a good finisher with both hands through traffic.   [player_tooltip player_id='2148734' first='Elijah' last='Gaskins'] | 6'0” PG | Patriot 2026   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/462-Elijah-Gaskins.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/462-Elijah-Gaskins.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2167171" /></a></figure>   Gaskins was perhaps the breakout point guard in NOVA public schools last year, helping lead Patriot to a state tournament run and showing his ability to create in transition and using ball screens as well. He's a dynamic guard with good burst to be able to get to the paint and make put pressure on the defense, he's an excellent finisher around the rim, he can make plays for others and he can score it from multiple levels off the bounce too.   [player_tooltip player_id='2788037' first='Kevin' last='Reyes'] | 6'1” PG | Stone Bridge 2027   Reyes was another breakout performer in the NOVA area this year, as he helped Stone Bridge to a very good season and is emerging as one of the top guards in the Loudoun area. Reyes uses his overall skillset to set up the pick-and-roll as he can drill it from deep forcing defenders to push up on him, he can drag it out or turn the corner and get to the paint, he makes good reads and decisions, and he will only get better as he continues to learn the game.

With new rankings in the work and the grassroots season in full swing, we decided it was time to take a look at some of the particulars that make certain prospects excel at specific parts of the game.