HS Preview: ’26 Guards Poised to Make a Leap

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The high school season in Southern California is just under a month away and we wanted to take some time to shine a spotlight on some players who are poised to make a big leap as players and recruits. Below we take a look at six guards who we believe will boost their stock.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2136707' first='Amir' last='Jones'] | Harvard-Westlake</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jones is stepping into a much bigger role this season and he has already shown that he's willing and able to shoulder that increased responsibility and thrive. The 6-foot-3 point guard, who committed to Georgia State in the fall, has shown improved consistency and confidence with his mid-range and three-point jump shots in our viewings of him this fall and, when you add that in with how solid he is as a decision-maker and defender, you have the makings of a senior stock-riser.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2888798' first='Amare' last='Larane'] | Knight</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Larane gained some well-earned buzz over the spring and summer from Low and Mid Major Division I programs out west and the 6-foot-3 combo guard is certainly that level of player. The high desert product is one of the savviest transition and half-court finishers that we have in SoCal due to his ability to change speeds and direction, finish through contact and use of angles to gain advantages over defenders. Larane is also a capable decision-maker and creator out of ball screen action with good positional size.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2425765' first='Derick' last='Johnson'] | Edison</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Johnson has the ability to fill up the box score in a hurry and he proved that he could do it against top competition while playing with Open Gym Premier's 3SSB team over the summer. The 6-foot-3 combo guard has a smooth perimeter scoring package highlighted by his jump shooting ability from three-point and mid-range levels, especially off the bounce. When in rhythm, Johnson forces defenses to extend which opens up his isolation and driving scoring abilities.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2425679' first='Devin' last='Wright'] | Redondo Union</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wright is among the best three-point shooters in Southern California but he showed throughout the summer and fall that he is more than just a three-point specialist - though that's not a bad thing to be at all. The 6-foot-3 shooting guard understands what he does well, the role it serves, and does it at a high level when it comes to his catch and shoot threes, but Wright showed a bump of confidence attacking closeouts off the bounce and finishing around the rim. I believe that Wright is an underrated defender, as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2131806' first='Gavin' last='Dean-Moss'] | St. John Bosco</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dean-Moss is one of the most under-appreciated point guards in the region and many of the reasons why that is are no longer hindrances for him. The 6-foot-1 senior enters his first year as a full-time starter after playing a crucial bench role in the last two seasons as a high energy defensive stalwart. While his role has increased, Dean-Moss hasn't changed his approach and remains one of the toughest on-ball defenders in Southern California with the ability to push tempo, get paint touches and finish around the basket or find an open teammate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2888810' first='Marlee' last='Sloane'] | Foothill</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sloane's transfer from Costa Mesa to Foothill means he will be thrust into a bigger spotlight and, if he performs like we know he's capable of, could lead to a big uptick in his recruitment. Sloane is an intriguing combo guard prospect who, at 6-feet-4 with a long, wiry frame, has tremendous feel for the game as a decision-maker and playmaker with the ball in his hands. Sloane is best in open court situations where he can use his pace, vision and basketball IQ to create opportunities for himself and teammates.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->