6 Stock Rising Guards: 2026

This group is heavy on substance and competitiveness. Guards and wings who understand their role, defend, and show up every night tend to separate themselves over time—and that's exactly what stands out here. Some are still under the radar, others are starting to gain momentum, but all of them bring translatable traits that coaches value. This is about toughness, versatility, and guards who impact winning beyond the box score.    Todd has been the biggest stock riser in this group—and the why is pretty simple. He's a steady, trustworthy presence at the point guard spot who shows up, runs the team, and consistently does his job. He values possessions, understands tempo, and doesn't play outside of himself. That reliability and consistency are exactly what's fueled his upward momentum. His commitment to [player_tooltip player_id='2854586' first='Austin' last=''] Peay Governors makes all the sense in the world given the way he impacts winning on both ends.   Evaluation Summary: ✅ Game management and pace control ✅ Shot-making and playmaking balance ✅ Point-of-attack defense and decision-making     Lawson-Kennedy is an athletic, tenacious guard who consistently plays with edge. He competes on every possession and brings real toughness to both ends of the floor. The work ethic shows up in how hard he defends and how willing he is to do the dirty work. Programs that value culture and competitiveness should already be on him.   Evaluation Summary: ✅ Point-of-attack defensive toughness ✅ Downhill athleticism ✅ Motor and competitive edge     Stephens is a well-rounded guard with good positional size and a balanced game. He doesn't lean too far into one area—he scores when needed, moves the ball, and holds his own defensively. His versatility allows him to fit next to different guard types. A dependable, scalable guard profile.   Evaluation Summary: ✅ Positional size and versatility ✅ All-around offensive skill set ✅ Defensive reliability     Wooden Jr. brings real versatility on the wing. He's a switchable defender who can guard multiple positions and understands team concepts. The perimeter game is still developing, but the foundation is there. His defensive value gives him a clear pathway as the offense continues to grow.   Evaluation Summary: ✅ Switchability across positions ✅ Team and help-side defense ✅ Developing perimeter shooting     Richard is a versatile combo guard with a clean shooting stroke. He spaces the floor effectively and brings solid perimeter defensive skills. Comfortable on or off the ball, he plays within the flow and doesn't force offense. His two-way ability makes him easy to project.   Evaluation Summary: ✅ Catch-and-shoot reliability ✅ Perimeter defensive instincts ✅ On/off-ball versatility     Mondragon plays hard and plays smart. He can knock down shots, guard in space, and consistently makes sound decisions. The basketball IQ shows up in how he positions himself defensively and how he keeps the offense organized. Coaches will trust him early.   Evaluation Summary: ✅ Shooting consistency ✅ Defensive mobility in space ✅ Basketball IQ and effort

This group is heavy on substance and competitiveness. Guards and wings who understand their role, defend, and show up every night tend to separate themselves over time—and that's exactly what stands out here. Some are still under the radar, others are starting to gain momentum, but all of them bring translatable traits that coaches value. This is about toughness, versatility, and guards who impact winning beyond the box score.