Updated 2027 Rankings: Guards (25-16)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="font-family: -webkit-standard;white-space: normal">We recently updated the class of 2027 rankings just in time for the New Year! The rankings consist of nearly 200 players, including nearly 30 new names added to the rankings. Here's a look at part one of the top point and combo guards in the updated rankings!</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>25) [player_tooltip player_id='2470586' first='Jessiah' last='Hines'] | 6'0” CG | North Cross (#70 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hines has been one of the best scoring guards in the Roanoke area since he was a freshman and was a big reason why North Cross is considered one of the favorites to return to the state semifinals this year. The 6'0” guard is simply electric as he has great speed in the open floor, he has range out well past the college line, and he puts constant pressure on the defense drawing contact and getting to the line often.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>24) [player_tooltip player_id='2128046' first='Tabren' last='Hawkins Jr.'] | 6'2” CG | Catholic (#61 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2893011,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/07/tabrenhawkinsjr-27-catholic-va-crop-1626x1068-1751355363.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/07/tabrenhawkinsjr-27-catholic-va-crop-1626x1068-1751355363.png?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2893011" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hawkins transferred to Catholic this season after being a starter for Maury the last two years, and he's simply one of the most consistent guards that you will come across. He's a strong guard who can take contact on the offensive end and deliver it defensively, he's a smooth playmaker who can get to the paint and make great reads, he scores it efficiently on and off the ball, and he's a very good rebounder for his size too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>23) [player_tooltip player_id='2353640' first='Amare' last='Long'] | 6'1” PG | Miller School (#58 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2548547,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <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> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Long has quietly been an x-factor for Miller School who won the VISAA D-II championship last year and is playing a ridiculously tough schedule this year, and while he may not put up huge numbers his impact is huge for winning. He has a great basketball IQ and makes the right play consistently on both ends, he can knock down shots from deep with range, he's got great burst to get in the paint, and he cares about all the little things to add up to winning.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>22) [player_tooltip player_id='2788037' first='Kevin' last='Reyes'] | 6'1” CG | Stone Bridge (56 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Reyes is emerging as one of the top guards in Loudoun County after a breakout year last season and emerging as their go-to scorer and playmaker. He's a shifty guard who is excellent in ball screens and hand-offs, he can create space and score it from deep and in the midrange, he can get to the rim and finish over bigger defenders, and he has great vision and pin-point passing to make plays for others.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>21) [player_tooltip player_id='2353610' first='Jayden' last='Betz'] | 6'1” PG | Saint James (#50 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Betz transferred to Saint James for their inaugural year after being a standout at Episcopal the past few years, and he is in a good spot to learn from two nationally guards and continue to improve. The 6'1” guard runs the show well as he doesn't turn it over and makes the right reads consistently, he can get in the paint in isolation and using ball screens where he's a good finisher at the rim, and he can move off the ball and knock down shots from deep too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>20) [player_tooltip player_id='2815342' first='Larry' last='Walker'] | 6'0” PG | Petersburg (#48 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2716529,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/tempImageMU4PvP.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/tempImageMU4PvP.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2716529" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Walker is one of the few returners for this Petersburg team after new Head Coach Ty White took over, and he's shown a lot of improvement over the past year including a growth spurt. He's a dynamic guard who can break down defenders and get in the lane where he finishes well, he can score the ball in a lot of different ways from multiple levels, he's both athletic and crafty when he gets downhill, and he has tons of upside on the defensive end too,.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>19) [player_tooltip player_id='2353569' first='Makiah' last='Gray'] | 6'1” PG | Bethel Academy (#47 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3280935,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/Kye-Gray.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/Kye-Gray.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-3280935" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gray has been fantastic for Bethel Academy to start the season, as he's been one of their primary ball handlers and playmakers and has made everyone around him happy in doing so. He has great command of the game as he controls tempo and gets them into sets, he puts pressure on the defensive with his ability to get to the rim, he can move off the ball and knock down shots, and his unselfishness and high motor makes him an easy person to like and follow.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>18) [player_tooltip player_id='2194706' first='Kevin' last='Parker'] | 6'0” PG | Denbigh (#44 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Parker has been one of the biggest reasons for Denbigh's turn around from one of the worst to one of the best teams on the Peninsula, and he's spearheading one of the top backcourts in the entire state. The 6'0” lead guard is able to get buckets in bunches as he is quick and shifty with great footwork to create space off the bounce, he can make tough shots in the midrange and finish over bigger defenders, he can really shoot it from deep with great range, and with all of that he's still an unselfish and high IQ playmaker for others.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>17) [player_tooltip player_id='2470573' first='Cam' last='Claiborne'] | 5'11” PG | Petersburg (#43 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2548484,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImageVD9lZc.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImageVD9lZc.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2548484" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On a nationally ranked team full of nationally ranked players, Claiborne isn't the guy who's going to be at the top of scouting reports, but he's really the glue to Petersburg with his blend of skill, toughness and unselfishness to his game. He's a knock down shooter from deep who can move off the ball and make shots on the move, he is a slippery and shifty ball handler who is a crafty finisher when he gets around the rim, he makes great decisions and makes plays for others, and he's a pesky and tough defender who can guard the length of the floor and will lay his body on the line too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>16) [player_tooltip player_id='2815291' first='Justin' last='Huang'] | 6'3” PG | Blue Ridge (#40 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2731738,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/tempImagenTVLma.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/tempImagenTVLma.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2731738" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Huang is emerging as a big time sleeper at Blue Ridge, and while he came off the bench and was a role player last year he's now in the starting lineup and one of their primary playmakers and ball handlers. He's surprisingly quick and shifty off the bounce and has good burst to get in the lane where he finishes well over bigger defenders, he can move off the ball and knock down shots form deep, he has a great IQ on both ends of the floor, and he impacts winning in a lot of different ways.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->