Who are the Best Guards in the 2027 Class? (15-6)

With the updated 2027 rankings coming out earlier this summer, we decided to take a look at who some of the top players at each position are. Here's a look at part two of the top ranked point and combo guards in the junior class in VA.   15) [player_tooltip player_id='2815291' first='Justin' last='Huang'] | 6'3” CG | Blue Ridge (#43 Overall)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/tempImagenTVLma.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/tempImagenTVLma.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2731738" /></a></figure>   <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol>   Huang came to Blue Ridge from Taiwan last year and quickly earned his spot for a really talented group with his overall impact and IQ as a floor general and playmaker. At 6'3” he has good positional size and a quick first step to get downhill and finish at the rim, he can create space to get his shot off on the ball, he can work off the ball and make shots from deep on the move, and he has great instincts on both ends of the floor as well.   14) [player_tooltip player_id='2353610' first='Jayden' last='Betz'] | 6'1” PG | Episcopal (#40 Overall)   <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol>   Betz is part of a very talented young core at Episcopal that will be a tough matchup for anyone in the DMV as they continue to improve, and he's a big reason for that with his two way impact in the backcourt. The 6'1” guard is shifty with good burst and the ability to get in the paint to finish or make plays for others, he can make shots from deep with a quick release, he's a very good on ball defender, and he has a knack for making plays when his team needs it the most.   13) [player_tooltip player_id='2194706' first='Kevin' last='Parker'] | 5'11" PG | Denbigh (#37 Overall)   Parker is a two sport star that has helped turn around a Denbigh program that has struggled in the past, stepping right into a go-to role from his first game and showing he's one of the top young players in the 757. He's a true scoring guard who can work in ball screens or in isolation to create space and make tough shots, he can work off the ball where he can get open and make shots on the move from deep, he can get hot quickly and doesn't go through long shooting droughts, and he's very good at drawing contact and getting to then line as well.   12) [player_tooltip player_id='2470573' first='Cam' last='Claiborne'] | 5'11” PG | Petersburg (#36 Overall)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImageVD9lZc.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImageVD9lZc.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2548484" /></a></figure>   <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol>   Claiborne will head home to Petersburg after being an underrated piece for John Marshall in their back-to-back state championships last season, and while he may not be the best prospect for their loaded group he's one of the most consistent guards you'll find in this class. He's highly skilled with the ability to finish over bigger and more athletic defenders with either hand, he's very efficient as a catch-and-shoot guy from deep, he makes great decisions with the ball in his hands, and he is a pest of an on ball defender as well.   11) [player_tooltip player_id='2470596' first='Ben' last='Edmonds'] | 6'1” PG | Episcopal (#33 Overall)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/benedmonds-27-episcopal-va-crop-1329x873-1736266437.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/benedmonds-27-episcopal-va-crop-1329x873-1736266437.png?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2722137" /></a></figure>   <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol>   Edmonds was a breakout player for Episcopal last season and followed it up with a great summer with AKT on the HGSL Circuit and in the DMV Live sessions, and he is the catalyst for their young and talented group with his ability to score it in so many different ways. He has in the gym range both off the catch and off the bounce, he changes speeds with surprising burst and a tight handle to get by defenders, he's a crafty finisher in the middle and at the rim, and he has good feel and vision as a playmaker too.   10) [player_tooltip player_id='1588134' first='Zyon' last='McGlone'] | 6'1” PG | Peninsula Catholic (#32 Overall)   <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol>   McGlone announced his reclassification to the 2027 class after leading Peninsula Catholic to the VISAA D-II state championship game, and the All State guard is one of the more dynamic and fun players to watch in the 757. He's a tough cover for anyone with his speed in transition and lightning quick first step, he creates separation with step backs and can hit tough shots from the midrange, he's an explosive finisher with great hang time and the ability to finish though contact, and he has huge upside as an on ball defender and he's a surprisingly good chase down shot blocker too.   9) [player_tooltip player_id='2353675' first='Noah' last='Farley'] | 6'0” CG | Floyd County (#31 Overall)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/tempImageUEFAF7.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/tempImageUEFAF7.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2756762" /></a></figure>   <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol>   Farley is already a two time All State selection and was named the Region Player of the Year as a sophomore leading Floyd to the Class 2 state semifinals last year, and he's going to score a lot of points in his career for a school that at one point in the 2010s had the VHSL all time leading scorer in Caleb Tanner, who Farley plays a lot like already. Farley is a highly talented shooter and scorer who has elite confidence in his shooting ability as he'll let it fly in transition even if he has an open layup if it's in rhythm. He's constantly moving off the ball to get open, he sets his feet and has a quick release to where he doesn't need much space, and he has improved a lot in his ability to create his own shot as well.   8) [player_tooltip player_id='2353676' first='Quimar' last='Crittendon'] | 6'0” PG | Churchland (#29 Overall)   <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol>   Crittendon is one of the more underrated young prospects in the state in my opinion, as he's been a vital part of Churchland's success since he took over the starting point guard role as a freshman, and was named to the Class 4 All State team last year. Crittendon puts constant pressure on the defense with his quick first step and speed in transition to get downhill, and he's a very crafty finisher through contact and over bigger defenders. He can make plays for others and has some flash to him as a playmaker, he can create space and score it from multiple levels, and he has a toughness and competitive chip you simply can't teach.   7) [player_tooltip player_id='2194713' first='Callen' last='Morrison'] | 5'8” PG | Woodside (#25 Overall)   <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol>   Morrison took over the starting point guard role as a sophomore when senior guard Messiah Stevens went down with an injury, and he showed he'll be one of the top guards in the 757 over the next few years. While he isn't the biggest player, Morrison has a lot of qualities you look for in a small guard, with a blend of IQ and skill to go along with the ability to run the team and raise his teammates games to be better. He's strong and plays through bumps well when he's attacking defenders, he's excellent in ball screens and knows how to manipulate them to create for himself and others, and he picks his spots and scores it efficiently when he needs to.   6) [player_tooltip player_id='2470569' first='Jemal' last='Smith'] | 6'1” PG | Highland (#22 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 heads into his junior season with quite the resume as he helped Highland win the VISAA D-I state championship last season and was part of the New World 15U group that won the Adidas 3SSB Championship two years ago, and he'll have a chance to make an even bigger impact with Highland losing their entire starting five of seniors from last year. Smith brings a great mentality to the game with his toughness and high motor on both ends of the floor, and he has a blend of athleticism and skill that makes him a tough matchup for anyone. He's shifty off the bounce with good burst and the ability to change speeds, he finishes well when he gets downhill, he can move off the ball and knock down shots on the move, and he's a fantastic tone setter with his on ball defense too.

With the updated 2027 rankings coming out earlier this summer, we decided to take a look at who some of the top players at each position are. Here's a look at part two of the top ranked point and combo guards in the junior class in VA.