Updated 2028 Rankings: Top NOVA Guards (Part 1)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We recently updated our class of 2028 rankings in the state of Virginia, going to 142 prospects from across the state we believe will be players to keep an eye on moving forward. Obviously the list will change plenty over the next two seasons, but for now here's a look at part one of some of the top junior guards in the Northern VA area.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#3) [player_tooltip player_id='2916372' first='Damien' last='Robinson'] | 6'3” PG | Paul VI</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2450287,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/Damien-Robinson.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/Damien-Robinson.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-2450287" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Robinson transferred to PVI this summer after being an All State selection and leading Landstown to the Class 6 semifinals as a sophomore, and he is coming off a huge summer where he was one of the top guards on the E16 Circuit with [program_tooltip program_id='2226248' first='Boo' last='Williams']. His move to PVI seems like a perfect fit, a school that has produced a ton of high level point guards over the past few years, and a playing style that fits him very well. He is very good at pushing pace of of both makes and misses to put pressure on the defense, he's a three level scorer off the bounce and can work off the ball and knock it down from deep, he changes speeds and directions well with great vision when he breaks down the defense, and he is a menace on the defensive end of the floor too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#8) [player_tooltip player_id='2194773' first='Elijah' last='McQueen'] | 6'3” CG | Bishop O'Connell</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2888635,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/06/elimcqueen-27-landon.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/06/elimcqueen-27-landon.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2888635" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McQueen came to O'Connell this summer and immediately has made an impact, showing that the Knights will have one of the best backcourts in the WCAC if not the entire DMV. The 6'3” combo has a lot of tools that coaches look for in a guard as he's a big time athlete with great speed and burst as well as explosive finishing ability, he is a talented scorer who can create space and fit it up from all three levels, he has a great frame for his position and is strong when he gets downhill, and he can make plays for others and makes his teammates better too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#10) [player_tooltip player_id='2884415' first='Devin' last='Ainsworth'] | 6'2” PG | St. Stephen's St. Agnes</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3316250,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/01/IMG_9247.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/01/IMG_9247.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-3316250" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ainsworth has been a starter for SSSAS since he was a freshman, and has been one of the top guards in the DMV from that moment and has cemented himself as the engine for the Saints, setting him up to have a huge junior season for coaches to take notice. The 6'2” lead guard is quick off the bounce and strong when he gets in the paint to take contact and finish through it, he's excellent in ball screens where he can recognize mismatches or find open teammates during the rotations, he can score it from all three levels in isolation off the bounce, and he sets the tone with his on ball pressure as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#11) [player_tooltip player_id='2194780' first='Aaron' last='Bryant'] | 6'1” PG | Gillion Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3598437,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/IMG_6693.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/IMG_6693.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-3598437" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bryant moved into the fifth starter role as a sophomore when he transferred to Gillion last year, and he fit that role well for them and made them a much better team in doing so, and now he's going to have a chance to be their primary ball handler and playmaker this year. The 6'1” guard is a lethal shooter from deep with in the gym range and can do it off the bounce or off the catch, he is shifty and changes speeds well to break down defenders, he has a good IQ as a playmaker when defenses come to help, and he has microwave scoring ability to get hot and fill it up in bunches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#12) [player_tooltip player_id='2876205' first='James' last='Walker'] | 6'2” CG | Bishop Ireton</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3611009,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/James-Walker.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/James-Walker.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-3611009" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Walker transferred to Ireton from Jackson Reed this summer, and in the midst of a big time summer with DC Assault on the P32 Circuit he also had a fantastic showing at DMV Live with his new team putting up big time numbers and showing he'll be one of the top new additions to the WCAC. At 6'2” he's lightning quick off the bounce with a great first step and good burst to get in the lane where he's a good finisher, he gets to his spots effortlessly to create space and knock down shots, he can drill it from deep with good range and a quick release, and he has the ability to get hot quickly but also doesn't go through long scoring droughts either.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#19) [player_tooltip player_id='2353610' first='Jayden' last='Betz'] | 6'0” PG | Saint James</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Betz had a really good summer with Team Durant and Saint James, showing a lot of improvement and more confidence in his ability to run the show and be a viable threat to score the ball as well. He can knock it down from deep with good range off the catch and off the bounce, he's sneaky quick off the bounce and does a good job changing speeds and playing with pace, he has good feel and is an unselfish playmaker, and he can impact the game in a lot of different ways.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#20) [player_tooltip player_id='2557761' first='Aiden' last='Clark'] | 5'11” PG | Gillion Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clark is one of a number of new additions from Texas to this Gillion Academy group, and the 5'11” guard made a big impact over the summer with them showing he's going to make for a nightmare duo with Bryant in the backcourt this year. He's an aggressive downhill attacker with good strength to finish through contact, he has great feel and command as a playmaker who sees the floor well, he brings tenacity on the defensive end with his on ball defense, and his high motor makes him easy to follow and quite the leader.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->