Updated 2027 Rankings: Guards (5-1)

<!-- 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 the top 5 point and combo guards in the updated rankings!</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5) [player_tooltip player_id='2027757' first='Joe' last='Nunez'] | 6'3” CG | Saint James (#14 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2791002,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/IMG_CA06BA1DA00A-1.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/IMG_CA06BA1DA00A-1.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2791002" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nunez came to Saint James this year for the school's first ever season, and on the EYSL Circuit he's been showing why he's already touting a number of high major suitors. The 6'3” combo is exactly what college coaches are looking for in a new age guard, as he's a dynamic scorer and playmaker who has a ton of raw talent and a lot of room for improvement moving forward. He's a big time finisher above the rim and through contact when he gets downhill, he can use his change of pace and shifty handle to break down defenders, he can move off the ball and shots from deep, and he has major upside as a lock down defender who can guard multiple positions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4) [player_tooltip player_id='2353555' first='Malachi' last='Terrell'] | 6'1” PG | Saint James (#13 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3278634,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/Malachi-Terrell-crop-4570x3001-1767122980.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/Malachi-Terrell-crop-4570x3001-1767122980.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-3278634" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Terrell is Nunez backcourt mate who also transferred to Saint James this season, and they have been quite the one-two punch in the backcourt for this talented squad. It could go either way when it comes to ranking them depending on what you need in a guard, as Terrell may lack the size and athleticism that Nunez has, but makes up for it with court presence and control for the game with his high IQ and playmaking ability. He's a bit of a throwback floor general with his ability to control tempo and know when to push it, he is an efficient scorer who can get where he needs to and score it from all three levels, and defensively he sets the tone with his point of attack pressure and ability to move his feet.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3) [player_tooltip player_id='1782691' first='Jordan' last='Hunter'] | 6'2” PG | Hargrave (#6 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1599500,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/652-Jordan-Hunter-scaled.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/652-Jordan-Hunter-scaled.jpg?w=683" alt="" class="wp-image-1599500" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hunter transferred to Hargrave after spending last year at Charlotte LAB, and he's the epitome of the new school point guard that you see at the highest level with his dynamic athleticism and constant pressure he puts on the rim. The 6'2” lead guard has blazing speed and a lightning quick first step, and he's an absolute problem in the open floor with his ferocious and fearless attacking ability. He can get wherever he wants whether it's in isolation or using ball screens, he can finish through contact and over bigger defenders with an array of floaters and pull-ups, he can knock down shots from deep and in the midrange on pull-ups, and he has all the tools in the world to be an elite on ball defender at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2) [player_tooltip player_id='2353544' first='Corey' last='Dixon'] | 6'3” CG | Bishop O'Connell (#5 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3244137,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/Corey-Dixon-2027-crop-5359x3519-1766087137.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/Corey-Dixon-2027-crop-5359x3519-1766087137.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-3244137" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dixon, the son of former Maryland legend Juan Dixon, has been one of the best young players in the DMV since he was a freshman, and since transferring to O'Connell and playing a national schedule through the first part of the season he's shown he should be considered as a national recruit with the way he's played. The 6'3” combo guard is a walking bucket who can play on or off the ball and score it from all over, but there's more to his game than just the numbers he puts up. He's an insanely tough shot maker who doesn't need much space to get his shot off, he can drill it from deep and in the midrange both off the catch and off the bounce, he's a crafty finisher over bigger defenders and continues to get more explosive as he grows into his body, and he plays with a competitive chip you can't teach and is rare in players of his caliber.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1) [player_tooltip player_id='1280889' first='LJ' last='Smith IV'] | 6'5” CG | Oak Hill Academy (#1 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smith is clearly the number one prospect in the updated class, as the 6'5” combo guard is a consensus top 10 player in the country and since transferring to Oak Hill he's been an absolute force in the EYSL. Standing 6'5” with a long and athletic frame, Smith is built to be a guard at the highest level who can impact the game on both ends of the floor. He plays with great pace and patience well beyond his years, as he's able to work on islands and use his handle and change of pace to get defenders moving and then blow by and use his athleticism when he gets downhill. He shoots the ball well from deep off the catch and off the bounce, he knows how to use his size to rise up over defenders or play through contact when he gets to the lane, he's a good passer with a high IQ, and defensively he has all the tools in the world to be a lock down defender who can guard the other team's best perimeter player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->