Preseason Preview: 2026 Two-Way Guards Set for Success

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These guards have found success on both ends of the floor, although their defensive abilites above all, have created opportunities for themselves. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1577231"],"_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-67422453981c5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Borne is a bouncy guard who is among the better 2026 defensive assets in the Denver metro, bringing a wiry frame and the athleticism to guard three positions with ease. Bringing great size at 6'3/6'4, his abilities as a connecting piece for this group's wealth of offensive options will be imperative towards their overall success in the playoffs. Following averages of 9.8 points and 3 assists per game, he continues to find success in tight windows, either as a pull-up shooter or driver within a couple dribbles. Already comfortable playing within an off-ball role, Borne excels with limited opportunities. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1622221"],"_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-6742245398244"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Boyd is a bouncy guard who can be plugged into a variety of lineups given his defensive energy and ability to guard up when necessary. Bringing notable quickness to hold his own at the point of attack, the guard brings quick hands to spark fast breaks where he can throw down jaw dropping dunks when given the lane. Smoky Hill will be one of the premier two-way programs in the state, given their wealth of switchable guards and wings, Boyd will easily slot into that system. At his best in transition, he is set to throw down a few suprising dunks when given a lane. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1877577"],"_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-674224539828d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Varney competes about as hard as anyone in this class, beinring a relentless motor as a handsy point of attack defender or willing help defender. Always working to impact open space in the help side, he does well stunting drives or leaping into passing lanes to create the steal. Garnering plenty of opportunity at Severance from his defensive mindset alone, Varney now has opportunities to progress as a three point shooter, although he showed he could heat up for multiple threes in a quarter when necessary this summer with NoCo Elite. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1622323"],"_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-67422453982cf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The lanky guard brings great defensive instincts, willing to fly around for rotations to swat away shot attempts. His wide reach paired with the quick north to south acceleration makes him a unique matchup, particularly as a help side defender or transition defender. Those defensive traits in particular will be essential towards expanding his opportunities at George Washington, although he has continued to make strides as a slasher and complementary shotmaker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2641846"],"_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-6742245398310"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Makkai finds consistent success while attacking the rim, comfortably going right at his opponent regardless of contact. Additionally a physical defender against backcourt matchups, he holds his own down low, rarely giving up space in the paint. The guard follows 4 points per game averages at 23-4 Lutheran, set for an immediate growth in opportunity given his two-way abilities.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1622347"],"_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-6742245398350"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ndong still remains one of the higher upside names in the class, given his lanky frame and quick release on the jumper. An efficient floor spacer off the catch in years past, there are not many names in this class with his dimensions and dependable standstill scoring. As he continues to add strength, he has plenty of upside as a multi-positional defender. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->