Rankings Update: 2026 Combo Guards

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our <em>positional breakdowns</em> for the <em>Class of 2026</em> continue today with a look at the <em>combo guards</em>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In all, 39 <em>Combo Guards</em>&nbsp;appeared in our rankings update, including our top ranked <em>combo guard</em>, <em>CATS Academy's</em> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2487641' first='Desmond' last='Bellot']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/position-ranking-table {"name":"acf/position-ranking-table","data":{"class":"2026","_class":"field_65cfb7374abb9","position":"77244","_position":"field_65cfbfcb19ad6","national_rankings":"0","_national_rankings":"field_660c1d73c0e49","state":"77239","_state":"field_65cfb88a603fe"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6957114ca2616"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below are five <em>combo guards</em> of notes from the latest rankings update.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2407063"],"_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-6956e86c88910"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Shepard, out of <em>Tabor Academy</em> in Massachusetts, checks in at <strong><em>#9</em></strong> among the <em>combo guards</em> and <strong><em>#86</em></strong> overall. Shepard has made some impressive strides with his development since the spring, particularly on the offensive end of the floor. A high level defender, he continues to stand out with his ability to guard multiple positions, to be disruptive in passing lanes, and to mix it up as a rebounder. On the other end of the floor, he is consistently knocking down threes in catch and shoot situations, making good decisions with the ball in his hands, and scoring with efficiency around the rim. He has the ability to play at the scholarship level down the road.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2325785"],"_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-6956e86c889bd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Eaton, out of the <em>Tilton School</em> in New Hampshire, checks in at <strong><em>#11</em></strong> among the <em>combo guards</em> and <strong><em>#95</em></strong> overall. Eaton has taken advantage of his post-graduate year so far, shining as an off-ball scorer that can get it done at all three levels. He's a bouncy athlete that is hard to guard when he gets downhill, shows a good feel for the game as a cutter, and has the ability to make contested shots at the second and third levels. Defensively, he's capable of guarding any spot on the perimeter, moves his feet well in space, and does a nice job of making plays in passing lanes. He'll play at the scholarship level and should have a variety of suitor come the spring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1729826"],"_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-6956e86c88a4b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Folk, out of <em>East Catholic High School</em> in Connecticut, checks in at <strong><em>#20</em></strong> among the <em>combo guards</em> and <strong><em>#141</em></strong> overall. Folk, now pushing 6'3", is a long and rangy defender that does a great job of being disruptive on that end of the floor. He defends in space, makes plays in passing lanes, and does a great job of turning defense into transition offense. On the other end, he has the ability to operate as an on-ball decision maker or to slide off the ball where he's a crafty, multi-level scorer. He could help a Division III program out from Day 1, but could also garner scholarship interest this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2633567"],"_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-6956e86c88b61"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Walker, out of <em>East Hartford High School</em> in Connecticut, checks in at <strong><em>#34</em></strong> among the <em>combo guards</em> and <strong><em>#204</em></strong> overall. Walker is a standout on the defensive end of the floor, showing the ability to guard any spot on the perimeter and the willingness to take on the opponent's top scorer. He's long, quick laterally, and knows how to force opponents off their lines and away from their scoring spots. Offensively, he's able to score it in a variety of ways around the rim, moves well without the ball, and can knock down shots in catch and shoot situations. He should have plenty of interest 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":["2553804"],"_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-6956e86c88ad7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Conheeny, out of <em>Portsmouth High School</em> in Rhode Island, checks in at <strong><em>#37</em></strong> among the <em>combo guards</em> and <strong><em>#211</em></strong> overall. Conheeny has established himself as one of the RIIL's top scorers, using a combination of skill and toughness to consistently score it at all three levels. He's hard to guard in transition where he does a nice job of putting pressure on the rim and finishing through contact. Defensively, he can guard either back-court spot and does a nice job of making plays on the ball as a help defender. He should be a nice addition to a Division III program next year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Keep an eye out this week as we continue our <em>positional breakdowns</em> for the <em>Class of 2026</em>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->