2028 Prospect Update: MD/DC Top 20 Shooting Guards

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Over the past couple of weeks, I ran through updates from our 2027 class in a positional manner and based off the feedback, I'm going to keep it going through the 2028 and 2029 classes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tuesday we zoomed in on the <strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/2026/09/2028-prospect-update-md-dc-top-20-point-guards/">top 20 point guards.</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wednesday we looked into the <strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/2026/09/2028-prospect-update-md-dc-top-15-combo-guards/">top 15 combo guards</a></strong>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now we shift onto the shooting guards. The question of 'aren't combo guards considered shooting guards?' While it can be left up to individual interpretation, I define a shooting guard as more of an off-ball presence who can make things happen off the catch. They aren't necessarily initiating things off the bounce the majority of trips down the floor, but pose as dangerous playmakers once they get it on the wing or in other scenarios where they have space to operate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1. [player_tooltip player_id='2524394' first='Kareem' last='Smith-Bey'] of St. John's/New World</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2. [player_tooltip player_id='2494248' first='Abdul' last='Tarawally'] of Gwynn Park/[program_tooltip program_id='2078456' first='DC' last='Premier']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2494248"],"_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-6aa2dfff411e8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Over the last two months there were a few different schools rumored to land Tarawally, but ultimately the 6-foot-4 junior decided to stay put at Gwynn Park where he averaged over 20PPG and was one of the best overall prospects in PG County and the public school landscape as a whole. He brings a nice combination of size, speed and power as a downhill freight train who can initiate and absorb contact nicely on the way to the rim. With Gwynn Park, you'll see him play four different positions in spurts, which speaks to his versatility, but when playing on a higher level, he's going to settle in as an off-ball guard who looks to put the ball in the bucket in a variety of ways. He posted crooked numbers this summer for [program_tooltip program_id='2078456' first='DC' last='Premier'] 16s and will look to make Gwynn Park a formidable contender in PG County for 2026-27.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>3. [player_tooltip player_id='2524418' first='Jahlil' last='Waheed'] of Gonzaga/[program_tooltip program_id='2077004' first='Team' last='Takeover']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2524418"],"_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-6aa2dfff41242"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">As I've stated in other articles regarding Gonzaga, they are my dark horse in the WCAC this season with their amount of quality depth. Waheed is one of the many non-seniors who put together promising summers that lead me to think he's prepared to take the next step in his role and production. An off-ball guard with positional size and outside shooting ability, Waheed was able to show off his processing this summer making quick decision off the catch as the defense scattered to close out on him with concern. His efficiency improved, he showed more of a mindset to be a presence on the glass and when he digs his heels in defensively, the upside as a two-way presence can be glaring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>4. [player_tooltip player_id='2353590' first='Zikom' last='Etolue'] of Mt. Zion Prep/[program_tooltip program_id='2077004' first='Team' last='Takeover']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5. [player_tooltip player_id='3565056' first='Elijah' last='Hall'] of Theodore Roosevelt/[program_tooltip program_id='2078457' first='Team' last='Durant']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6. [player_tooltip player_id='3041596' first='Max' last='Raue'] of St. Andrew's/Washington Warriors</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>7. [player_tooltip player_id='2880727' first='Jevon' last='Hawkins'] of Bethel Academy/[program_tooltip program_id='2528398' first='TTO' last='Showcase']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8. [player_tooltip player_id='2454536' first='Zayvion' last='Williams'] of Bullis/[program_tooltip program_id='2077004' first='Team' last='Takeover']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2454536"],"_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-6aa2dfff4128a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Williams entered into the high school scene with pretty high expectations to come in and contribute right away. Unfortunately, injuries have plagued him thus far to the point where I have yet to catch him on the floor in live action over the course of the last two years. That doesn't mean he still isn't an intriguing name on this list. Bullis is always going to be in the thick of things within the IAC contender conversation and despite losing Xavier Skipworth to Montverde (FL) over the summer, it left plenty of opportunity for returners and a few key newcomers to fill the gap. The hope is Williams will be ready to go for this season and get back to showing the consistent flashes that I saw out of him back in middle school. He's the type of guard who could quickly climb this list if he remains healthy and plays to his potential.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9. [player_tooltip player_id='2571840' first='Bryce' last='McQuarter'] of Prince George's Christian Academy</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10. Jon Larranaga of Sidwell Friends (DC)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>11. [player_tooltip player_id='3475912' first='Maxwell' last='Joshua'] of John F. Kennedy/TTO National</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3475912"],"_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-6aa2dfff412cb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">JFK lost a couple of key pieces off last year's team that finished 18-6 overall. Joshua carved out a key role as the season progressed, but coming into his junior year, he will be viewed as one of the key cogs next to POY candidate 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2639997' first='Gabe' last='Colston']. Joshua brings great energy as an off-ball guard who's motor runs high and it shows with his willingness as a cutter, offensive rebounder and sprinting the floor where he poses as a lob threat in transition. He's capable of scoring from multiple levels in isolations where he's at his best operating out of the triple threat. He can stop on a dime and rise up with confidence, attack the rim and draw contact or be a threat as a spot-up guys in the corners/wings. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>12. [player_tooltip player_id='2194754' first='Coleman' last='Jones'] of Landon</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>13. [player_tooltip player_id='2732907' first='Corey' last='Graham'] of Gerstell</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>14. [player_tooltip player_id='2731742' first='Mookie' last='Taylor'] of Arundel</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>15. [player_tooltip player_id='2427460' first='Sam' last='Nziengui'] of Tuscarora</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>16. [player_tooltip player_id='2549594' first='Ben' last='Orthwein'] of McDonogh</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>17. [player_tooltip player_id='2849030' first='Khari' last='Yates'] of Saint James/Adapt Academy</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2849030"],"_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-6aa2dfff4130b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Saint James made an impressive run in the MPSBBT B Division last season as it took a buzzer beating shot from Mt. Zion Prep (Blue) in the semifinal game to be upended. While much of the production flowed through Khari's older brother Jayden, there were spurts of games where Khari's flashes spoke volumes. It also gave us something to note down as he will embrace a bigger role this season in a more balanced attack for Saint James this season. Similar to Jayden, Khari is a dual-sport standout as he shines on the gridiron as well as the hardwood. The athleticism and toughness that you typically see in these sort of prospects surfaces with Yates in the form of above the rim finishes on the break, guarding his yard defensively against shifty matchups and battling for 50/50s.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>18. [player_tooltip player_id='2919004' first='Jameson' last='Conley'] of Bishop McNamara</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>19. [player_tooltip player_id='3473954' first='Eddison' last='Floyd'] of Bullis</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>20. [player_tooltip player_id='3035464' first='Khadir' last='Johnson'] of Friendship Tech Academy</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->