Underrated 2027 NOVA Guards Colleges Should Watch For (Part 1)

Jack Herron July 15, 2026 @ 08:55 AM

With the summer coming to an end, we decided to take a look at some of the top underrated players that college coaches should be watching for heading into the season. Here's a look at five guards in the Northern VA area that aren't getting the love that they deserve from coaches.   [player_tooltip player_id='2252325' first='Daylen' last='Martino'] | 5'10” PG | Fairfax Christian   Martino has been a staple for Fairfax Christian as one of the top teams in VISAA over the past few years, and he is exactly the type of guard that a college coach would want to bring in for culture purposes alone, as well as the fact that he can really hoop. The 5'10” guards leads by example as a first in last out type of kid, he brings toughness on both ends of the floor, he sees the game plays ahead and makes great decisions, and he can fill it up off the bounce in isolation and in ball screens.   [player_tooltip player_id='2898014' first='Dylan' last='Williams'] | 5'10” PG | Heritage (Leesburg)   One of the top floor generals in all of NOVA public schools over the past few years, Williams has the ability to control the game and make winning plays without having to score the basketball a ton. He sees the floor as good as anyone with the ability to thread the needle with passes most can't make. He controls the tempo and plays with pace, he sets the tone defensively with his ball pressure, and he picks his spots and scores it efficiently to keep the defense honest.   [player_tooltip player_id='2353648' first='Dylan' last='Fletcher'] | 6'1” PG | Flint Hill   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/07/Dylan-Fletcher.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/07/Dylan-Fletcher.jpg?w=648" alt="" class="wp-image-2893590" /></a></figure>   Fletcher had a great showing at DMV Live this summer, showing he's a college level prospect who can come in and impact the game in a number of different ways. The 6'1” guard can absolutely light it up from deep off the catch and on the move, he hits angles quickly to get in the paint where he can finish over bigger defenders, he competes on both ends of the floor, and he can make plays for others as well.   [player_tooltip player_id='1548525' first='Caron' last='Perez'] | 6'1” CG | Bethel Academy   Perez may not have been the top guy on Bethel last season, but he's showing this summer he will be one of their go-to scoring threats as a senior next year. The 6'1” combo can fill it up in bunches as he is very good at getting downhill and finishing through contact, he jumps passing lanes to get easy buckets in transition, he is very good getting to spots and hitting the pull-up midrange jumper, and he moves well off the ball to get open and make shots from multiple levels.   Jonathan “JJ” Bell | 6'1” PG | Gar-field   Bell has been one of the top guards in NOVA public schools since he was a freshman, as he has consistently put up gaudy scoring numbers and brought Gar-field back to relevance in doing so. The 6'1” guard can flat out score the rock with his ability to get downhill and finish over bigger defenders, create space off the bounce using step backs and getting to pull-ups, he can work off the ball and knock down shots from deep, and he's crafty and dynamic when he gets out in transition.

With the summer coming to an end, we decided to take a look at some of the top underrated players that college coaches should be watching for heading into the season. Here's a look at five guards in the Northern VA area that aren't getting the love that they deserve from coaches.