Rankings Update: 2027 Combo Guards

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our&nbsp;<em>positional breakdowns</em>&nbsp;for the&nbsp;<em>Class of 2027</em>&nbsp;continue today with a look at the&nbsp;<em>combo guards</em>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In all, 44&nbsp;<em>Combo Guards</em>&nbsp;appeared in our rankings update, including our top ranked&nbsp;<em>combo guard</em>,&nbsp;<em>Vermont Academy's</em> <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='2568339' first='Kamari' last='Whyte']</em></strong>, who checks in at <strong><em>#5</em></strong> in the overall rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/position-ranking-table {"name":"acf/position-ranking-table","data":{"class":"2027","_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-69600115e2397"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below are five&nbsp;<em>combo guards</em>&nbsp;of notes from the latest rankings update.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2915911"],"_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-695fe18eeb178"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Taggart, out of <em>Putnam Science Academy</em> in Connecticut, checks in at <strong><em>#6</em></strong> among the <em>combo guards</em> and <strong><em>#21</em></strong> overall. Taggart started the season on fire, scored 20+ points in a handful of games, and was named to the <em>ZG Prep Classic 1st Team</em> in December. The 6'4" guard plays with elite athletic pop and has established himself as one of the better perimeter defenders in New England. This year, he has taken on a bigger scoring roll, proving to be efficient both at the rim as a finisher and from behind the arc as a shooter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2826490"],"_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-695fe18eeb1d5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Camara, out of <em>Vermont Academy</em> in Vermont, checks in at <strong><em>#12</em></strong> among the <em>combo guards</em> and <strong><em>#80</em></strong> overall. Camara has adjusted seemlessly to the prep ranks and is clearly one of the early season's top stock risers. The 6'1" guard has the ability to run an offense as a primary decision-maker, but can also slide off the ball and go for 20+ points on any given night. On that end of the floor, his quick first step and toughness as a driver stand out. Defensively, he harrasses opposing ball-handlers and creates steals and deflections at a high rate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2568455"],"_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-695fe18eeb224"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Dalton, out of <em>Mount Saint Charles Academy</em> in Rhode Island, checks in at <strong><em>#20</em></strong> among the <em>combo guards</em> and <strong><em>#105</em></strong> overall. One of the better perimeter scorers in the region, Dalton passed the 1,000-point mark last winter as only a sophomore. The 6'1" guard does a great job of moving without the basketball to get open, using screens to his advantage, while also showing an understanding of how to slide into open passing windows. He leverages his shooting to open up driving lanes, finishes with length around the rim, and can even operate as a secondary decision-maker in the half-court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2470938"],"_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-695fe18eeb271"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Villacis, out of the <em>Westminster School</em> in Connecticut, checks in at <strong><em>#24</em></strong> among the <em>combo guards</em> and <strong><em>#130</em></strong> overall. The 6'1" lefty, who thrives as a pitcher on the baseball diamond, stands out on the hardwood with his effort, commitment to defense, and playmaking ability. He's a fluid athlete that can play on or off the ball, is consistently knocking down catch and shoot threes, and does a nice job of finishing with athleticism at the rim. Defensively, he can really sit in a stance and move his feet, which makes life difficult for opposing ball-handlers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2569349"],"_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-695fe18eeb2bc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bayer, out of <em>Kimball Union Academy</em> in New Hampshire, checks in at <strong><em>#27</em></strong> among the <em>combo guards</em> and <strong><em>#164</em></strong> overall. In his first year in the prep ranks, Bayer has continued to show some of what made him a standout in the MIAA last winter. The 6'0" guard is a threat to knock down a perimeter jumper any time he touches the ball, with good form and a quick release on his shot. He moves well without the ball, has the ability to get to the rim as a driver, and is a willing ball mover within the flow of the offense. Defensively, he can guard either spot in the back-court and plays with terrific energy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Keep an eye out this week as we continue our&nbsp;<em>positional breakdowns</em>&nbsp;for the&nbsp;<em>Class of 2027</em>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->