2027 Small Market Guards On the Rise

There have been a lot of players taking the junior jump this season, and many of them being guards who are a bit overlooked for one reason or another. Here's a look at six guards from the 540/434/276 area that are on the come up and coaches should take a look at!   [player_tooltip player_id='1574509' first='Jayden' last='Brown'] | 6'3” CG | STAB   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Brown-Jayden-CBG.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Brown-Jayden-CBG.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2967159" /></a></figure>   Brown has been perhaps the breakout player in all of VA this year, after spending the last two years behind division one prospects and now getting his chance as the guy, he's been going nuclear for the Saints putting up huge numbers almost every game. The 6'3” combo is one of the most improved players on the offensive end as he's now able to score in isolation and ball screens getting downhill and using his athleticism to finish at the rim, he can move off the ball where he can come off screens and knock down shots on the move, and he's still one of the top perimeter defenders you will come across in VA.   [player_tooltip player_id='1987443' first='Jaden' last='Amoah'] | 5'11” PG | Colgan   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/205-Jaden-Amoah.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/205-Jaden-Amoah.jpg?w=683" alt="" class="wp-image-2199098" /></a></figure>   Amoah has been having a great season for Colgan, emerging as one of the top floor generals in the Fredericksburg area as a player who can control the game on both ends of the floor. The 5'11” lead guard controls tempo and plays with good change of pace to handle pressure and get in the paint, he's excellent in ball screens, he scores it well from deep and in the midrange area, and he's a pesky on ball defender as well.   [player_tooltip player_id='2470586' first='Jessiah' last='Hines'] | 6'0” PG | North Cross   Hines is one of the top scoring guards in the Roanoke area if not the entire state, as he can absolutely fill it up and consistently puts up big numbers as both a scorer and a distributor as well. He is a dynamic shotmaker who has in the gym range and can work on or off the ball to get open and make shots, he is lightning quick with good burst and has great hang time when he gets downhill to finish, and when defenses start to focus on him he is more than willing to make plays for others too.   [player_tooltip player_id='2460255' first='Kyce' last='Lemon'] | 5'10” PG | Roanoke Catholic   Lemon has been the starting point guard the last two years for RC helping lead them to a VISAA D-III Final Four last year, and he's just continued to get better and better over the years and is having a big junior season right now. While he isn't the primary scoring threat Lemon does a great job creating advantages with his ability to push in transition or get in the paint off ball screens, he sees the floor well and reads rotations to get his teammates open looks, and he picks his spots and scores it efficiently from multiple levels.   [player_tooltip player_id='2353640' first='Amare' last='Long'] | 6'0” PG | Miller School   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImageMUx4UW.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImageMUx4UW.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2548547" /></a></figure>   Long may not put up the biggest numbers for an uptempo Miller team that has a lot of sharp shooters and scorers, but he's a big time x-factor for them and played a huge role in them winning the VISAA D-II state championship last year and has only gotten better since then. He does all the little things as far as making the easy and correct play or making the hustle play, he shoots the ball well from deep off the catch, he finishes well in the midrange, and he is a reliable player who just impacts the game in winning ways.   [player_tooltip player_id='2898034' first='Langston' last='Cook'] | 5'10” PG | Parry McCleur   Cook was a First Team All State selection as a sophomore last year, and continues to be one of the top players in western part of the state putting up big numbers and dominating the game on both ends of the floor. While he's only 5'10” he's a lightning quick and explosive guard who uses change of pace and his athleticism to finish when he gets downhill, he can create space off the bounce and make tough shots from multiple levels, he's a high IQ playmaker for others, and he is a good defender and rebounder for his size and position.

There have been a lot of players taking the junior jump this season, and many of them being guards who are a bit overlooked for one reason or another. Here's a look at six guards from the 540/434/276 area that are on the come up and coaches should take a look at!