The Tune-Up: 2026 Lead Guards Who Took Control in Texas

As the floor generals of tomorrow, the Class of 2026 lead guards made their presence felt in a big way at The Tune-Up. Their blend of feel, leadership, and toughness makes them names to watch as the July evaluation window approaches. Here's a look at the 2026 lead guards who stood out and controlled the action at The Tune-Up.    A cerebral floor general with ankle-breaking pace control, Nelson's handle were tight and incredibly well polished. He stops, starts, and hesitates defenders into a lean or angle, using subtle head, shoulder, and ball fakes to manipulate positioning as well. Smart exploitation of defensive gaps, and deceptive off-the-dribble craft. Nelson would snake the ball screen, keep defenders on his back hip, and burst into open space inside the arc or paint. He also excelled at handling the ball in tight spaces and walking the tight rope when forced baseline or sideline. Nelson always finds the crack in the defense. A poised and efficient guard with advanced off-the-dribble creation.     An all-effort point guard and relentless competitor. Quinones plays with a nonstop motor and sets the tone for his team on both ends. On the offensive side of the ball, Roman orchestrated the offense well and controlled the tempo from start to finish. Defensively, what sets him apart is his willingness to make the hustle plays, sprinting back to stop a fast break, diving on loose balls, crashing the glass as a guard, or picking up full court to wear down opposing ball handlers. He understands the flow of the game and can steady a team when the momentum swings or energize it with a timely play.     [player_tooltip player_id='1543685' first='Dwight' last='Magee'] is a true dribbling machine with advanced separation ability. He proved to be capable of shaking his man off and breaking down any defender, man or zone as he exposed defenses. His handle were elite, both in terms of pace and creativity, allowing Magee to thrive in tight spaces, using deceptive combos to bait defenders before fading into his jumper. Against pressure, Magee was unshakable, no matter what the defense did, nobody was taking his ball. He's also a pinpoint passer, especially in lob actions where his touch and vision shine, as he placed the ball where only his teammates could get them. His craftiness and ability to dissect defenses with both his scoring and passing instincts make him a high-level offensive engine.     Good transition scoring presence whether he was initiating the play with his passing, finishing at the rim, or running the floor to take advantage of 2 on 1 fastbreak opportunities. As a downhill scorer [player_tooltip player_id='2557471' first='Jordan' last='Curtis'] displayed tremendous poise with his footwork and touch never, allowing himself to be rushed or knocked off balance. Unselfish with the ball, often looking to draw attention and suck defenders in before swiftly dropping it off, kicking it out, or wrapping around a rim protector, always willing to give up a good shot for a great one.     Livingston is a college-ready floor general who's physically mature, mentally sharp, and tactically polished. His IQ is off the charts, constantly orchestrating spacing, action, and decisions both on and off the ball. Livingston showcased tremendous leadership as he saw the game ahead of time, instructing teammates with vocal commands of when and where to spread the court, cut, or set a screen for himself or others. He made the game look easier than ever, everything seemed to come naturally and within the flow of the game for him, showing a next level feel for things. The highlight of the weekend belonged to him, a filthy pump fake at the perimeter into an explosive drive and a posterizing tomahawk slam on a rotating defender who jumped too late. From scoring to leadership to anticipation, Livingston checks every box.     High level athlete and elite bounce. [player_tooltip player_id='1593785' first='Caleb' last='Richard'] dunked like he was mad at the rim, pure fury in motion with ferocious takeoffs, thunderous finishes, and body control that turns heads. Whether it's off one or two feet, in transition or in the traffic, Richard's fast breaks were must-watch events, and even in half-court sets, he'll catch defenders napping, cut baseline, and rise up. [player_tooltip player_id='1593785' first='Caleb' last='Richard'] showcased a full-on elite dunk package, with a love for the Eastbay dunk.

As the floor generals of tomorrow, the Class of 2026 lead guards made their presence felt in a big way at The Tune-Up. Their blend of feel, leadership, and toughness makes them names to watch as the July evaluation window approaches. Here's a look at the 2026 lead guards who stood out and controlled the action at The Tune-Up.