Updated 2026 Rankings: Guards (5-1)

<!-- 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 three of some of the top point and combo guards in the rising senior class rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5) [player_tooltip player_id='2134650' first='Jayden' last='Joseph'] | 6'2” PG | Gillion Academy (#9 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2243009,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/10/eZy-Watermark_16-10-2023_02-47-55-7910PM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/10/eZy-Watermark_16-10-2023_02-47-55-7910PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2243009" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Joseph is one of two guys on this list who transferred to Gillion from the Team Breakdown organization, and he is an absolute wizard at the point guard position. The 6'2” lead guard has tremendous feel and vision as he sees the game a few plays ahead of others, and he's able to deliver pin-point passes with both hands in tight spaces as well. He's super shifty off the bounce with great change of speed and direction, he can take over games when he needs to with his three level scoring ability, he is able to touch the paint at will and both make plays and score it at the rim and in the midrange, and he has great instincts defensively too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4) [player_tooltip player_id='2134664' first='Willie' last='Burnett'] | 6'3” CG | Gillion Academy (#7 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2626744,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/eZy-Watermark_23-10-2024_02-09-40-4480PM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/eZy-Watermark_23-10-2024_02-09-40-4480PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2626744" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Burnett is one of the more talented guards you'll come across on the east coast, as he is dynamic and explosive in ways that most human beings aren't. He has blazing speed in the open floor as well as super shift in isolation and in pick-and-rolls which makes him a defenders nightmare to match up with. He's very good at creating space in isolation situations and can knock down tough shots from all three levels, he's an explosive and crafty finisher when he gets to the rim, he's able to break down the defense and make plays for others, and when he gets hot you might as well just throw in the towel because it doesn't matter how good of defense you play he will score it on your head.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3) [player_tooltip player_id='2252287' first='Darius' last='Bivins'] | 6'0” PG | Bishop O'Connell (#6 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2083600,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <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> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bivins has been one of the best guards in the DMV and in the country over the past couple of years, and he was one of the main reasons that O'Connell was able to make a run to the VISAA D-1 state championship where they lost a heartbreaker to Highland School. Bivins is so easy to like when you watch him play, as he has a mix of throwback with his ability to control the game and make plays for others, as well as new school with his superb technical skillset as a scorer to negate his size. He's so good in ball screens with his patience and ability to make all the right decisions out of it, his middle game scoring package is elite with an array of floaters and pull-ups that he makes with absurd efficiency, he can make shots from deep to keep defenses honest, and he has great instincts as a defender as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2) Donovan Williams | 6'3” CG | Oak Hill Academy (#4 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Williams was one of the best players for Oak Hill who had a resurgence on the national level this year, and the Florida native is a walking bucket and dynamic playmaker as well. He's already built like he's a rising senior in college not high school, with a strong frame that allows him to play through contact, and good athleticism on both ends of the floor. He can play on the ball where he's shifty and can break down defenders in isolation situations to either get downhill or create space to get his shot off. He can move off the ball and knock down shots off the catch. He's a solid defender both on the ball and in help side, he's a high IQ passer and has great instincts for the game, and he is a solid rebounder for his position too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1) [player_tooltip player_id='1782696' first='Jordan' last='Smith Jr.'] | 6'3” CG | Paul VI (#1 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2333372,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/06/Smith-Jordan-crop-3226x2118-1706383041.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/06/Smith-Jordan-crop-3226x2118-1706383041.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2333372" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smith has been the #1 player in this class since his freshman season at Paul VI, and has the resume to back it up as a two time state champion, two time WCAC champion, consensus top 10 nationally ranked player, and he's been a staple for USA basketball throughout his career. I don't say this lightly considering the talent that the area is known for, particularly at the guard position, but I believe he's the best guard I've seen in the DMV since Markelle Fultz was at DeMatha. He's a physical and athletic freak with a 6'9” wingspan and crazy bounce that allows him to play above the rim, get deflections, and make him one of the best guard shot blockers in the country. He is able to create for himself and others off the bounce without using wasted dribbles, and his unselfishness as a star is something you don't see very much in this day in age. He's a stat sheet stuffer who can put up big numbers scoring, he can lock down the other team's best perimeter option, he's a good rebounder for his position, and he just impacts winning in a way that not many players can.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->