2028 Rankings: Breaking Down Guards in the Top 50 (Pt 1)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's dive deep into this 2028 guard class and take a look at the different types of guards, as well as how their strengths shape up on the court. We'll take a look at 25 total guards who landed inside our top 50 overall players. In this article, we break down the top three guards in the class and what separates them from the rest, as well as seven prominent scoring guards, and finish up with three of the top two-way guards in this class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><em>The Top 3</em></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2625619' first='Davion' last='Shareef-Dulaney'] Lincoln-Tacoma</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Leading off, we have not just our top player in the 2028 class, but arguably one of the top players in the state. Shareef-Dulaney plays with a grit and toughness that really separates him from other players, and helped Lincoln take home second-place at last season's 3A tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2473468' first='Austin' last='Birley'] West Valley-Yakima</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the most unique players in the state, Birley is able to control games, set the pace, and has a mature understanding of how to utilize his size to his advantage. The 6-foot-6 point guard gets ready to lead one of the top teams heading into the 4A this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2628458' first='Ryan' last='Rohrbacher'] Bainbridge</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rohrbacher has taken a big step forward over the last handful of months, getting stronger on his drives, showcasing great decision-making, and continuing to elevate himself as one of the premier shooters in the state. His Bainbridge squad has a chance to make some noise this winter in the 2A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Scoring Guards</em></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2627277' first='Steven' last='Sun'] Eastside Catholic</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The sharpshooting Sun busted out in a big way last winter with his deep range, ability to create off the bounce, and showed he's a gamer to know in the Metro. He and fellow junior, [player_tooltip player_id='2627281' first='Tytan' last='McNeal'], will lead the Crusaders this coming season as they try to remain one of the top squads in the 3A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2628459' first='Tanner' last='Simpson'] Mt. Rainier</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Simpson makes his way over to Mount Rainer this winter and will add some firepower and creativity to that backcourt. He's a kid who can create his own looks, has shown the ability to score from different levels, and can make some key passes getting downhill and getting out in transition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2838362' first='Jaydon' last='Turner'] Central Kitsap</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Turner is one of the shiftiest guards in his class and will constantly break down defenders off the dribble and score. He has shown he can score from each level, and has the handle to get by just about anyone. He averaged 17.3 points, 3.1 assists, and 1.3 steals across the final two sessions of the 3SSB (11 games).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2548201' first='Dwane' last='Lind'] Elite Prep</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lind is another guard who can put the ball in the cup. He averaged 23.3 points to go along with 3.4 assists over the final two 3SSB sessions, and sank 34 threes over those 11 games. He's a guy who can really get going from deep and has the interior finishing moves to play off that outside shot and finish in close.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2629638' first='JR' last='Smathers'] Marysville-Pilchuck</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smathers put up some gaudy numbers last season with Marysville-Pilchuck. He averaged 30 points per game and had a few 40-point outbursts where he shot over 60% from the field. He does a great job using his dribble with a purpose, getting to space, mixing up his attacks, and working hard off the ball to get it in good spots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2751713' first='Jakarri' last='Ellis'] Sageview</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ellis also busted out in a big way during his sophomore season, averaging just over 20 points per game with the Lobos. He's a kid who has demonstrated the ability to play on balance, out of a position of strength, and it helps him keep a consistent touch from a bunch of different spots on the floor. And he can stretch the floor too, he shot just under 40% from 3PT range last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2751666' first='Jerius' last='Isabell'] Sumner</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is another player who had a breakout sophomore season, earning first-team honors in the SPSL 4A North and leading Sumner to a state tournament appearance. He's a guy who can score the rock in some tight spaces, and has the ability to change speeds, and play with effective short bursts and deception. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><em>2-Way Playmakers</em></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2625616' first='Rahzi' last='Leonard'] O'Dea</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Leonard is a quick, crafty guard who can play controlled at high speeds and has the anticipation and reactions to be a difference-maker on both ends of the floor. He's a lightning rod in transition who can get by the initial defender and make the right read. And when his outside shot is falling, he really can put defenses in a bind.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2629689' first='Markell' last='Lowery'] Auburn Mountainview</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lowery took a big step forward last season and showcased his all-around impact from the point. Even without having a strong 3-point shot last season, he was able to constantly get by defenders, through gaps, and into the paint to make plays. He's also got great hands defensively to get tips, pokes, and force turnovers. Now that he is starting to get more and more confident with his outside shot, he should get even more opportunities to cut up defenses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2625610' first='Myjeer' last='Rigney'] Lincoln-Tacoma</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rigney helped lead Foster into the 2A state tournament last season with his two-way playmaking. He's an aggressive on-ball defender who will make ball-handlers work, force pickups, and create turnovers. He also averaged 14.6 points per game while shooting 86% from the foul line on 109 attempts. His two way ability will play right into the Abes' strengths this winter as he comes over to bolster their attempt at back-to-back title game appearances.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->