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<p>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 one of the top ranked shooting guards and small forwards in the junior class in VA.</p>
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<p><strong>25) [player_tooltip player_id='1588148' first='Chuma' last='Achufusi'] | 6'1” SG | Episcopal (#59 Overall)</strong></p>
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<p>Achufusi is a player on the rise in the DMV after a big sophomore season for Episcopal, and he followed it up with a big summer for AKT as well. The 6'1” lefty is a talented shot maker who can drill it from deep with range and doesn't need much space to get it off, he can get to spots off the bounce and get to the rim in transition, and he has great instincts on the defensive end of the floor too.</p>
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<p><strong>24) Aidan O'Conner | 6'2” SG | Loudoun Valley (#57 Overall)</strong></p>
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<p>O'Conner had a breakout season for a Loudoun Valley team that is chock full of young talent, and looks a lot like a prospect to watch moving forward in the next few seasons. The 6'2” off guard earned All Region honors as a sophomore as he was one of the top scorers in Loudoun with his ability to create space off the bounce and change speeds to get open, he shoots the ball very well from deep with range and a quick release, and he's a very crafty finisher over bigger and more athletic rim protectors.</p>
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<p><strong>23) [player_tooltip player_id='2470582' first='Will' last='Mancine'] | 6'4” SG | Hargrave (#55 Overall)</strong></p>
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<p>Mancine is a native of Chicago who has been a staple for Hargrave's varsity team since he stepped on campus, and he helped lead them to a VISAA D-II semifinal appearance last season before losing to eventual champs Miller School. At 6'4” Mancine has great positional size and is a good athlete when he gets into the open floor, he is a knock down shooter from deep off the catch and has good footwork on the pull-up, and he's a good rebounder for his position as well.</p>
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<p><strong>22) [player_tooltip player_id='2470581' first='Antonio' last='Mack'] | 6'2” | North Cross (#49 Overall)</strong></p>
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<p>Mack is a two sport star who also thrives on the football field for North Cross, and he was essential in their own run to the VISAA D-II state semifinal as one of their top two way players. He has a great build with a strong frame and he's a natural athlete who moves well and is explosive when he gets downhill, he can score the ball from different levels both off the catch and off the bounce, and he has big time upside as a lock down on ball defender at the next level.</p>
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<p><strong>21) [player_tooltip player_id='2815333' first='Baur' last='Lloyd'] | 6'2” SG | Blue Ridge (#48 Overall)</strong></p>
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<p>Lloyd came to Blue Ridge last season from Texas and played a big role off the bench for them in a very successful season, and he's followed it up with a good summer with Local Legends RVA on the PUMA NXT Circuit. The 6'2” off guard has great intangibles as he makes all the hustle plays and has a great feel for the game, he knocks down open shots at a consistent clip, and he's a reliable secondary ball handler who can handle pressure and get to the rim where he finishes well and makes good decisions making plays for others.</p>
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<p><strong>20) [player_tooltip player_id='2548299' first='Isaiah' last='Savage'] | 6'2” SG | St. Michael (#47 Overall)</strong></p>
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<p>Savage is one of the more intriguing prospects in this class, as he's a true rising junior with no reclass who is an absolute freak athlete and is just scratching the surface with how good he can be moving forward. At 6'2” with long arms and likely still growing he plays well above the rim effortlessly and with authority, he plays with great energy on the defensive end as he jumps passing lanes and is a good shot blocker for his position, and he's shown good improvement in his ability to make open shots and create for himself in the half court.</p>
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<p><strong>19) [player_tooltip player_id='2724454' first='Aaron' last='McGlone'] | 6'2” SG | Evergreen Christian (#46 Overall)</strong></p>
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<p>McGlone transferred to Evergreen this summer after being a standout at Southern Maryland Christian last season, and he made it clear during the scholastic live periods that he'll be part of a very talented group for them next year. The 6'2” wing is a an efficient shot maker who can score it on or off the ball from multiple levels, he can put it on the deck and get to spots in the midrange or at the rim where he can make tough shots with little space, and he has great instincts defensively both on the ball and in help.</p>
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<p><strong>18) [player_tooltip player_id='2896969' first='Josiah' last='Law'] | 6'4” SG | Landstown (#44 Overall)</strong></p>
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<p>Law is set to have a big junior season for a talented Landstown team that will only get better with more experience, and Law's ability to play multiple positions and impact the game in a number of ways will be vital for them. At 6'4” he's a big wing who is a good athlete and thrives in transition, he can make open shots off the catch from deep, he can get to spots in the midrange and make tough pull-ups, and he's a good rebounder and defender as well.</p>
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<p><strong>17) [player_tooltip player_id='1574509' first='Jayden' last='Brown'] | 6'3” SG | STAB (#42 Overall)</strong></p>
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<p>Brown will have his chance to have a breakout season at STAB this year with their very talented senior class graduating, and he will be thrust into a go-to role coming off a very good summer that he's had. The 6'3” guard has improved a lot over the past few years as he's become a much improved shooter off the catch, he's grown and gotten more athletic as a finisher, he's a very good on ball defender who can disrupt ball handlers and force turnovers, and he has gained a lot of confidence as a scorer as well.</p>
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<p><strong>16) [player_tooltip player_id='2422471' first='Derrius' last='Jones'] | 6'6” SF | Blue Ridge (#39 Overall)</strong></p>
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<p>Jones is a guy who could move up this list when it's all said and done when it comes together, as he has a lot of upside with great physical and athletic tools, as well as a good motor and budding skillset. He is a Swiss-army knife defensively who can guard multiple positions and use his athleticism to challenge shots, he thrives in transition with his ability to run and finish above the rim, he is improving as a catch-and-shoot threat from deep, and he plays very hard on both ends of the floor.</p>
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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 one of the top ranked shooting guards and small forwards in the junior class in VA.
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