Updated 2028 Rankings: Guards (15-6)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We recently updated our 2028 class rankings, looking at 70 of the top sophomores in the state of Virginia. Here's a look at part two of the top point and combo guards in the class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>15) [player_tooltip player_id='2918940' first='Jace' last='Jones'] | 5'11” CG | Riverside (#31 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jones is a highly talented two sport athlete who also thrives on the football field, and he brings that same mentality he has on the gridiron to the basketball court as he's one of the most dynamic and tough guards you'll come across. He has great speed in the open floor and a quick first step to get by defenders, he can create space and make shots from multiple levels, he's a surprisingly good rebounder for his size, and he brings a ton of toughness on the defensive end too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>14) [player_tooltip player_id='2353610' first='Jayden' last='Betz'] | 6'1” PG | Saint James (#27 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 from Episcopal and reclassified to the 2028 class, and while he's playing behind two nationally ranked guards you can see that he'll be a guy moving forward. The 6'1” lead guard is a dynamic playmaker who is shifty off the bounce and can get in the paint at will, he makes good reads to find open shooters and cutters, he can score it in multiple ways and does a good job picking his spots, and he's a very good on ball defender as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>13) [player_tooltip player_id='2395088' first='Carlos' last='Lanier'] | 5'11” PG | North Cross (#24 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2552812,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/716-Carlos-Lanier.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/716-Carlos-Lanier.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2552812" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lanier is another player who is behind some very talented older players, but there's no way to keep him off the floor as he's highly skilled and super tough in a way you don't see with many players his age. The 5'11” lead guard is as tough as they come as he doesn't back down from any matchup, on the ball he's shifty and strong to be able to get in the paint and play through contact, he can move off the ball where he's a knock down shooter, and he plays with a confidence you don't see in many players his age.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>12) [player_tooltip player_id='3336926' first='Jaeden' last='Palmer'] | 6'2” CG | Highland School (#22 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Palmer transferred to Highland from Patriot where he reclassified to the 2028 class, and while he has some guys ahead of him he's had some fantastic flashes this year that shows he'll be a player down the line. The 6'2” guard can play on the ball where he has good burst to get by defenders, he can push in transition and make plays for others or get to the rim and finish, he can move off the ball where he's a knock down shooter, and he will take on any role including the chance to guard the other team's best player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>11) [player_tooltip player_id='2763815' first='Hudson' last='Mostashari'] | 6'2” CG | Bishop O'Connell (#21 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mostashari is part of a trio of O'Connell guards in this class that are just waiting their turns, and when he gets on the floor he's super impressive with his willingness to guard and make plays for others. He is a high IQ playmaker that sees the floor and reads rotations well, he can knock down shots from deep off the catch, he handles pressure well and gets them into sets, and he brings a ton of energy on the defensive end too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>10) [player_tooltip player_id='2960264' first='RJ' last='Mickleberry'] | 6'3” CG | Glen Allen (#17 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2186483,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/03/Mickleberry-RJ-scaled.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/03/Mickleberry-RJ-scaled.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2186483" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mickleberry has been a player we've known about since he was in middle school, and he's been a big reason for Glen Allen's hot start and the fact that they look like they could make a deep run in March. The 6'3” combo has long arms and is likely still growing which is scary with his skillset, he's a dead eye shooter from deep with a quick release and deep range, he attacks closeouts and gets to the rim well, and he's a competitor defensively that can lock up other teams best player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>9) [player_tooltip player_id='2918891' first='Legend' last='Bunch'] | 6'2” PG | Norfolk Collegiate (#16 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2967819,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Bunch-Legend.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Bunch-Legend.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2967819" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bunch is one of the most fun players to watch in this class, not because he's an athletic freak or a highlight reel machine, but more because he's able to control the game and impact it across the board as a 6'2” lead guard. He's fantastic in ball screens with the ability to drag it out or shoot it from deep when they go under, he knows how to control the tempo and put his team in the right situations, he is a good finisher when he gets downhill, and his IQ allows him to make plays on the defensive end too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>8) [player_tooltip player_id='2916403' first='Eziah' last='Goodson'] | 6'1” CG | Princess Anne (#14 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Goodson is having a huge breakout season for Princess Anne who is looking like one of the best teams in the 757 right now, and while there are some more experienced players over him his talent is shining as one of their go-to players. He's a big time athlete who has great speed in the open floor and is shifty off the bounce, he can score it from all three levels efficiently, he makes his teammates better with his vision and pin-point passing, and he has a chip to him that you just can't teach.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>7) [player_tooltip player_id='2194772' first='Cameron' last='Jefferson'] | 6'2” CG | Gainesville (#13 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jefferson is a two sport star who looks like his future will be in basketball with the way he plays, as he's already made a huge impact so far this season looking like he'll be one of the top guards in the NOVA area over the next few years. The 6'2” guard is lightning quick and an explosive athlete who can finish with hang time and body control, he can drill shots from deep and get to spots off the bounce, he is an unselfish and talented playmaker for others, and he has huge upside on the defensive end too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>6) [player_tooltip player_id='2916383' first='Rashad' last='Shaw'] | 6'2” CG | Landstown (#9 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Shaw has been a huge part of Landstown's new look over the past few years, and a big reason that no matter who leaves or what happens they are always going to be a tough team to beat. As a freshman he showed no fear starting from day one, and he also showed that he's a special athlete for someone as young as he is as he made plays most players that are seniors couldn't make. He's a super explosive athlete who can play above the rim effortlessly and with authority, he is dynamic in transition pushing the rock and getting downhill, he can hit open shots when he's off the ball, and he's a very good defender and rebounder for his position as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->