Updated 2026 Rankings: Guards (25-16)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the updated version of our class of 2026 rankings coming out, it's time to look at some of the changes we have in the new version. We added over 25 new players to the rankings, with a lot of movement based on last high school season and the spring as well. Throughout the week we'll be putting out content on new faces, biggest risers and positional rankings as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at part one of some of the top point and combo guards in the rising senior class rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>25) [player_tooltip player_id='2148734' first='Elijah' last='Gaskins'] | 6'1” PG | Patriot (#75 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2167171,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <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> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gaskins was the breakout player in NOVA public schools this year, leading Patriot to a state tournament appearance and earning All Region and All State honors in the process. The 6'1” lead guard is a heady playmaker who can break defenses down in isolation or in ball screens, he makes great reads against the defense, he can score it efficiently from multiple levels, and he brings a winning mentality to every game he's in as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>24) [player_tooltip player_id='2605296' first='Messiah' last='Dixon'] | 5'10” PG | Fairfax Christian (#71 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2801389,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/tempImageng69OW.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/tempImageng69OW.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2801389" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dixon was huge for Fairfax Christian in their run to a third straight VISAA D-III state championship, and he was the heartbeat and catalyst for their team on both ends of the floor. He's one of the fastest guards you'll come across and his shiftiness makes him tough to stay in front of, he is an absolute dog defensively who can guard 94 feet and jumps passing lanes off the ball, he is dynamic in transition and touches the paint at will to make plays for others, and he picks his spots and scores it efficiently when he needs to.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>23) [player_tooltip player_id='2252297' first='Ty' last='Harris'] | 6'1” PG | Flint Hill (#67 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Harris has been the guy for Flint Hill in the backcourt over the past few seasons, and he's one of the more steady guards you'll come across in the DMV with his blend of scoring and playmaking ability on the ball. He can drill it from deep and get to spots in the midrange where he's very efficient, he makes great reads in ball screens and on “get actions” when he gets downhill, and he's a heady defender who can turn defense into offense too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>22) [player_tooltip player_id='2242402' first='RJ' last='Jones'] | 6'3” CG | Virginia Academy (#65 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 an has been one of the more underrated guards in the DMV area over the past few years, and he's a scoring guard that can fill it up in bunches even when you play great defense. He can play on the ball where he can change speeds and blow by defenders or use his footwork to create space. He makes tough shots from multiple levels and doesn't need much space, he can move off the ball and knock down shots on the move, and once he gets it going it's demoralizing for opponents.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>21) [player_tooltip player_id='2618835' first='Carter' last='Bullock'] | 6'3" CG | Catholic (#64 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bullock was a big time player for a very talented Catholic team last year, and with the departure of their top scorer and ball handler and the way he's played this summer he's set up to have a big senior season next year. The 6'3” lefty is dynamic on the ball as he can get downhill and is an athletic and crafty finisher around the rim, he can knock down shots from deep off the catch, he gets to spots in the midrange off the bounce, and he's well rounded on both ends of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>20) [player_tooltip player_id='1630997' first='Elijah' last='Brandon'] | 5'10” PG | St. Christophers (#63 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 most all-around skilled guards in the Richmond area, as he led St. Chris to a very good season and is able to impact the game in a number of different ways with his blend of strength, skill and high IQ/ At 5'10” he's a strong guard who can keep defenders in front and use his size to finish through traffic, he's a dead eye sniper from deep with good range both off the catch and off the bounce, he's an unselfish playmaker who makes everyone better, and he's a natural leader who helps his team on both ends of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>19) [player_tooltip player_id='2510345' first='Justin' last='Jones'] | 6'2” CG | Atlantic Shores (#59 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jones has been one of the most steady players in the 757 over the past few years, as the son of Norfolk State Head Coach Robert Jones has already surpassed the 1,000 point mark and was named Conference Player of the Year as a junior. The 6'2” guard is a tireless worker who has the ability to score it from all three levels, he has great footwork to catch on the move or get into his pull-up off the bounce, he's a strong finisher through contact and he can make plays for others as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>18) [player_tooltip player_id='2459244' first='Amare' last='Cooper'] | 6'3” CG | Monacan (#57 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 is one of the best scoring guards in Richmond, if not the entire state, which he has shown by going for multiple 30+ and even 40+ point games over the last few years for Monacan. The 6'3” combo is a smooth operating guard who can get to spots off the bounce and score it from all three levels, he's a slick ball handler who is a good finisher when he gets downhill in traffic, he can drill it from deep with range off the catch and off the bounce, and he gets to the line often for easy points too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>17) [player_tooltip player_id='2459355' first='Dezmon' last='Ainsworth'] | 6'4” CG | Saint Michael (#56 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 transferred to Saint Michael from Massaponax where he was a huge reason for them making their run to the VISAA D-III state semifinals, and he's shown time and time again that he's a player coaches should be recruiting way more than they are right now. The 6'4” combo has great positional size to be able to guard and rebound well for his position, he plays with good pace and changes speeds well, he can create shots for himself and others off the bounce, and he is an efficient scorer from multiple levels too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>16) [player_tooltip player_id='1782687' first='Phenix' last='Card'] | 6'2” CG | Gillion Academy (#49 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2728989,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/eZy-Watermark_13-01-2025_04-43-15-5370AM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/eZy-Watermark_13-01-2025_04-43-15-5370AM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2728989" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Card transferred to the new Gillion Academy last season after starring at Hayfield as a freshman and sophomore, and he is set up to have a big senior season the way he's been playing this summer with Team Breakdown. He's grown quite a bit and has become more dynamic and athletic when he gets downhill, he can drill it from deep off the catch and off the bounce, he's a good on ball defender, and he really thrives in making things happen when sets simply aren't working the way you'd want them to.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->