These Watch List Guards Are Poised for Next Level Impact

These guards have already made waves with their skill, speed and playmaking this season, showing flashes of why they belong on the watch list. What's truly exciting is their potential to take the next step and turning flashes into consistent dominance. Here's a closer look at how these rising guards can elevate themselves from promising prospects to ranked standouts.    Benning is a dynamic guard who brings energy and confidence every time he steps on the floor. He's a tough cover with a quick crossover and a strong ability to get downhill, finishing through contact or pulling up for smooth jumpers. When he gets hot from deep, he can score at all three levels and completely change the flow of a game. To keep elevating his game and push toward the ranked list, Benning should continue trusting his shot and playmaking instincts. Staying confident from beyond the arc while using his drives to draw defenders and create open looks for teammates will make him an even bigger offensive threat. As his decision making sharpens and his consistency grows, Benning has all the tools to take that next leap this season     Dorst turned heads this summer with stretches where he looked nearly unstoppable. With the ball in his hands, he demands attention by using quick, elusive handles to get downhill and attack the rim with authority. He's not just a slasher and he proved he can rise up and throw it down in traffic or step out and knock down the three with confidence. Heading into the season, Dorst's continued growth will come from staying aggressive and trusting his all around game. Using that same elusiveness to get to his spots and maintaining confidence in his jumper will make him incredibly difficult to defend. If he keeps that balance between attacking and shooting, Dorst has the potential to become one of the most complete offensive threats in his class and a strong candidate for the ranked list     Kirya made a major impact this summer, showcasing why he's such a tough guard to defend. With quick handles and sharp decision making, he consistently got to the basket and finished with ease. He also displaying excellent court vision with finding cutters and hitting outlets at the right moment. His awareness and ability to read the floor set him apart. As he continues to grow, Kirya's game speaks for itself. Refining his offensive consistency and maintaining that high level playmaking will only make him more unstoppable, establishing him as a guard who can dictate games and emerge as a serious candidate for the ranked list     Lyon was a standout to watch this summer, showing stretches where he was virtually unstoppable. His bigger frame allows him to gain strong positioning against defenders, whether to secure rebounds or create open scoring opportunities. Combined with solid footwork and polished technique, he can make an impact in multiple areas on the floor. The next step for Lyon is maintaining that energy and engagement throughout an entire game. Expanding his mid range shooting, staying confident in his shot and making smart decisions with the ball will elevate him into a consistent, high level contributor. With continued growth, Lyon has the tools to become a true force and push toward the ranked list     Vandagriff is a whirlwind of energy and intensity on the court. Defensively he's relentless always moving, staying active, closing out on shooters and making it tough for opponents to get clean looks. Offensively he's shown flashes of scoring ability, hitting from mid range and finishing in traffic with confidence. To take his game to the next level, Vandagriff needs to develop into a consistent offensive threat, turning those flashes into a reliable scoring arsenal. Pairing that growth with the same fire and focus he brings on defense will make him a complete two way player who's capable of locking down opponents while consistently producing on the other end, positioning him as a candidate to climb the ranked list

These guards have already made waves with their skill, speed and playmaking this season, showing flashes of why they belong on the watch list. What's truly exciting is their potential to take the next step and turning flashes into consistent dominance. Here's a closer look at how these rising guards can elevate themselves from promising prospects to ranked standouts.