2028 NOVA Guards Primed for a Breakout Year

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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 six junior guards in the NOVA area that are ready for a breakout season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2609427' first='Landon' last='Scott'] | 6'1” CG | SSSAS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Scott is set for a big season at SSSAS after a strong sophomore campaign and an impressive summer, as he is the type of player that can do a little bit of everything at the combo guard spot. He has a high IQ and makes good reads and decisions on both ends of the floor, he can knock it down from deep off the catch, he's very good in ball screens, and he uses his quickness to make plays on both ends too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2966230' first='Devan' last='Howe'] | 6'1” PG | Gainesville</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3239105,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/Howe-Devan.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/Howe-Devan.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-3239105" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Howe was fantastic for Gainesville last year running the show and keeping everyone happy, as he's one of the top floor generals who's a dual threat as both a scorer and distributor. While he isn't the biggest or most athletic he's got a great IQ and sees the game ahead of others, he takes care of the ball and plays with great pace, he runs the show and gets his team into sets and makes the right read, and he picks his spots with the ability to score it from all three levels.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2527320' first='Campbell' last='Tyler'] | 5'10” PG | Langley</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another true floor general on this list, Tyler emerged as Langley's primary ball handler and playmaker last year, and he didn't disappoint as he led them to a very successful season. He's so savvy with the ball with his ability to change speeds and control tempo, he makes great reads in ball screens and pushing the ball in transition, he's a knock down shooter from deep with good range, and he uses his IQ on both ends of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2919001' first='Matthew' last='Pritchard'] | 6'1” PG | Episcopal</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pritchard continues to improve every time we see him, which he showed this summer in a. variety of ways, and he's one of the more well-rounded players who can impact the game playing different roles. He oozes toughness with a great motor and willingness to sacrifice his body, he can score it off the bounce from multiple levels, he gets downhill aggressively and makes plays for others, and he is a strong finisher through traffic too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3554605' first='Chase' last='Jackson'] | 6'0” PG | Hayfield</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jackson had a good sophomore year at Hayfield and only improved throughout the summer, and it looks like he's set to have a breakout year as part of one of the best young backcourts in NOVA. The smooth lefty can get where he wants on the court with his change of pace and direction, he is great in ball screens making reads and exploiting mismatches, he can fill it up from all three levels off the bounce, and he can make plays for others too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3659540' first='Kristopher' last='Bethell'] | 5'10” PG | Patriot</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bethell is primed for a breakout year at Patriot this year, after being a reliable ball handler and playmaker as a sophomore, he's shown a lot of improvement and will have even more opportunities this year. The program is known for developing some top tier guards over the past few years and he's next up as he's shown his ability to run the show and handle pressure while controlling the tempo, he's quick and shifty off the bounce to get by defenders and good in ball screens, he sees the floor well, and continues to develop his scoring ability too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->