’27 Rankings Update: Guards Trending Up

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>New readers: Use code Proia30</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We updated our rankings for the rising senior class on Tuesday, which can be found <a href="https://prephoops.com/2026/07/updated-2027-maryland-rankings/" id="https://prephoops.com/2026/07/updated-2027-maryland-rankings/">here</a>. We have a total of 304 total players ranked from Washington DC and Maryland high schools, with 42 new prospects added in with this rankings update. In this article, we'll break down a few stock-rising scoring guards to share insight from our scouts on their placement within our rankings. Let's dive in!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2194952"],"_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-6a4daf165f301"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-Purnell re-entered the rotation after he dealt with an injury for most of his junior year and is due for a bigger role this season as a stocky CG prospect that can really score it. Purnell recently put up 17p 3r 1a vs Mt Zion National in DMV Live, scoring the ball effectively in an intraschool matchup where he displayed his ability to create his own shot. If he can add more burst off the bounce and vertical pop, it should take his offensive game to the next level to really enhance his ability to shoot the ball and unlock his ability to play-make for teammates. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2759356"],"_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-6a4daf165f36c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-Smith made a nice leap in our rankings as an explosive scoring guard prospect that can fill it up from all 3 levels. Smith caught our eye with a balanced and impactful performance of 19p 7a 6r (50% FG 75% 3P) vs St Michael Catholic in DMV Live II. Love his assertive play as an aggressive slashing guard that outraces his opponents in transition and has proven capable of punching on opponents in transition. One of the senior leaders for a Takoma Academy team that has a ton of scoring in their backcourt, Smith should continue to ascend our rankings in his senior campaign. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2623928"],"_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-6a4daf165f3bf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-Smith's backcourt mate at Takoma Academy, Freeman really spaces the floor as a movement shooter that needs to be accounted for at all times on the floor. His 15p 8r 8a 1s 1b stat line vs St Michael Catholic in DMV Live really caught our eye as a shooter that can get hot and stay hot to flip the momentum of games at a moment's notice. I want to see more of what he can do attacking closeouts and making plays for teammates in the halfcourt--though he is definitely not unselfish and will throw passes in designed reads. Excited to see how his senior season plays out. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3669681"],"_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-6a4daf165f40c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-Germain has really shined in offseason play as a bucket-getting southpaw prospect that will play a big role for the Panthers in his senior season. Germain creates his own shot effectively from the top of the key and has improved his footwork to become a much better movement shooter that can knock down perimeter jumpers behind pindowns. Love that--although he is an efficient scorer-- he doesn't settle for jumpers and uses that shooting gravity to get downhill to score at the rim with or without a ball screen. Germain has a chance to be one of the best scorers in the MIAA this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3684655"],"_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-6a4daf165f458"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-Adams debuts in our top 50 as a dynamic slashing guard that really got to it during both scholastic live period sessions, as he scored in double figures in 7/8 games in front of college coaches. Adams is an explosive above-the-rim finisher that can turn some vicious corners to get to his spots in the halfcourt to score. He's particularly dynamic in transition as a lightning-fast scorer capable of playing through contact on his way to the rim, posterizing several defenders as a relentless driver. Love his jumper off the catch but want to see him smoothen his handle to make the dribble pick-up on pull-up jumpers more efficient and fluid to make him that much more effective of a scorer. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->