2026 Guards I’m Excited To Watch This Season (Part II)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The upcoming high school season is about a month away and prospects are getting ready for the new season. Prep Hoops Florida is your year-round source of high school and grassroots basketball coverage from across the state. Here are some 2026 guards I'm excited to see take the floor this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1660046"],"_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_0_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003eShiva Atwal, u003c/strongu003eA 6-5 sophomore guard who transferred from Windermere Prep to Lake Highland Prep during the summer has continued to rise on the recruitment. He is a pure left-handed shooter who can create and score with separation. On the defensive end, he brings a solid frame and length where he can go get the rebound with just about any of them. Atwal is also considered to be an above-average passer for his size and displays a great IQ when he is out on the floor. Atwal currently holds an offer from Stetson University.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["2134664"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003eWillie Burnett, u003c/strongu003eA 6-1 sophomore guard has continued to improve his game whether it's his ball-handling skills or playing off the ball. He creates a lot of energy on the defensive end with his versatility and ability to guard multiple positions. He has also improved his jump shot and has a smooth release from the perimeter where he shot 36 percent from beyond the arc last season as a freshman. Excited to see his recruitment start to heat up as he is already receiving interest from major D-1 programs.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["2134674"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003eArchie McFadden, u003c/strongu003eA 6-2 sophomore guard who is a high-level passer and will often knock shots down from the perimeter. McFadden also plays hard-nose defense when it comes to guarding on the ball as he applies pressure where he can get strips leading to baskets on the other end. On the offensive end, McFadden can also finish strong on the rim off the bounce where he is unafraid to get to the free throw line. Excited to see the progress this kid makes as he should start gaining college interest this upcoming season.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["2134650"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003eJayden Joseph, u003c/strongu003eA 6-2 sophomore guard is quickly becoming one of the top point guards in the state. Joseph can score in a variety of ways whether it's at the front of the rim or out on the perimeter. On the defensive end, he plays with a lot of energy and can defend all 94-feet at a high level. His court awareness has continued to improve where he can provide constant pressure guarding on the ball. His ability to defend the rim has also continued to improve as he showcases elite athleticism where he can contest tough shots with his length.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1660042"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003eAri Smith, u003c/strongu003eA 6-3 sophomore combo guard is a quick scorer who is unafraid when it comes to finishing around the rim. He has proven he can mix up his shot selections as he can occasionally shoot from beyond the arc at a high level. On the defensive end, Smith can guard multiple positions covering a lot of ground whether it's out on the perimeter or on the interior. Look for Smith to have a more improved sophomore season as he is becoming a name worth keeping an eye on.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["1633093"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003eDallas Lambert, u003c/strongu003eA 6-4 sophomore guard has a great burst in his game where he can get by defenders finishing above the rim as well as pulling up from the mid-range. He is aggressive on the defensive end as well as he can jump into the passing lanes causing a lot of havoc for opposing guards. His length has continued to stand out as he has great mechanics on the offensive end moving exceptionally well without the ball in his hands. Lambert averaged nearly eight points and three rebounds per game last season as a freshman.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":6,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6531579d9c437"} /-->