Rankings Release: The 2026 Combo Guards

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our positional breakdown for the <em>Class of 2026</em> roles on today with a look at the <em>Combo Guards</em>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Checking in at the top is <em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2553689' first='Louis' last='O'Keefe']</strong></em> (<strong><em>#18</em></strong>). The <em>Newman School</em> guard is a crafty scorer, has the ability to create with the ball in his hands, and makes plays that lead to winning. He is off the board and committed to <strong><em>Princeton</em></strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below are five more <em>Combo Guards</em> of note from our rankings update:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2955098"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68b8e37c182dd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Skyers, the <strong><em>#51</em></strong> overall prospect and <strong><em>5th</em></strong> ranked combo guard, does a nice job of balancing playmaking and scoring with the ball in his hands. He's got some real wiggle off the bounce and the ability to blow by defenders in isolation situations. He plays angles well coming out of ball screens and does a nice job of scoring with creativity around the rim. Defensively, he generates plenty of steals and deflections while making it difficult for opposing guards to get into the paint. He's a Division I prospect with plenty of interest and offers from multiple leagues.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2874978"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68b8e37c18340"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ford, the <strong><em>#129</em></strong> overall prospect and <strong><em>17th</em></strong> ranked combo guard, has a nice combination of positional size, scoring skill, and basketball IQ. He's a terrific perimeter defender that can guard down a position to keep opposing guards out of the paint or up a position to make bigger wings uncomfortable. He's a tough cover when he gets downhill off the bounce, finishes in a variety of ways around the rim, and is capable of making plays for others off his drives. He's a tough competitor that has plus athleticism on both ends of the floor. The high academic prospect could attract coaches from the <em>Ivy League</em> and <em>NESCAC</em> this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2955143"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68b8e37c18395"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ellis-Cipriano, the <strong><em>#176</em></strong> overall prospect and <strong><em>27th</em></strong> ranked combo guard, is a long and lean athlete that can really go on the offensive end of the floor. He's elite in transition, showing a good feel as a scorer when he can get out in space, and also does a nice job of operating off the ball as a shot maker. He continues to evolve as a playmaker, particularly when making decisions out of ball screens. Defensively, his physical tools stand out and allow him to make plays both on the ball and in passing lanes. A breakout performer this summer, he's a fringe scholarship prospect that will be a priority at the Division III level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2955152"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68b8e37c183ea"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rose, the <strong><em>#186</em></strong> overall prospect and <strong><em>32nd</em></strong> ranked combo guard, combines shot creation, off the bounce playmaking, and defensive versatility to make a two-way impact. He's a plus athlete with quick twitch movements that does a nice job of creating space as a scorer off the bounce. He's got some real wiggle with the ball in his hands, makes plays for others when attacking in transition, and does a nice job of elevating into his shot to get it off over defenders. On the other end, he combines good size, plus length, and quickness to his advantage as an on-ball defender. One of the better prospects in New Hampshire, he should be highly recruited at the Division III level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2955171"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68b8e37c1843f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Maiwen, the <strong><em>#234</em></strong> overall prospect and <strong><em>44th</em></strong> ranked combo guard, has terrific positional size and great instincts on the defensive end of the floor. He's an elite on-ball defender that also thrives in the press, using his length and burst to his advantage when making plays in passing lanes. He's a unique finisher around the rim, benefitting from his length and creativity. On top of that, he's evolved as a playmaker and also shows the ability to knock down shots from behind the arc in catch and shoot situations. A late bloomer, he could take advantage of a post-grad year or step into an instant impact role at the Division III level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Keep an eye out later this week for more positional breakdowns for the <em>Class of 2026</em>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->