Rankings Release: The 2029 Guards

Today, we kick off rankings coverage for the Class of 2029 with a look the at guards!   These are the prospects that will impact the game with the ball in their hands, making decisions in the half-court and leading their offenses. Most have the ability to score it at multiple levels, to play in ball screens, and to defend at a high level on the perimeter.   Below are five Guards to watch from the first Watch List for the Class of 2029:    Donovan, a combo guard out of Deerfield Academy in Massachusetts, has the ability to impact games with his scoring. At 6'1", he has good positional size and long arms, both of which help him as a finisher around the rim. He shows some creativity in the paint, and touch, which allows him to score over size. He can make shots from behind the arc and is a tough cover in transition. Defensively, he does a nice job of keeping the ball in front of him and using his length to make plays in passing lanes.     Odugbela, a point guard out of the St. Andrew's School in Rhode Island, is a crafty ball-handler that does a nice job of getting into the paint off the bounce. He's got a compact frame and nice strength, helping him to play through contact as a driver. He's a creative finisher in the paint and continues to improve in his ability to knock down shots from behind the arc. He excels in transition, where he does a nice job of balancing hunting his own scoring chances and creating for his teammates. He's a tough, hard-nosed defender that has the ability to generate steals on the ball and in passing lanes.     Stanger, a point guard out of Milton Academy in Massachusetts, has the ability to impact games in a variety of ways on the offensive end of the floor. He's a big guard that can really shoot the basketball, but also shows some wiggle off the bounce as a downhill driver. He uses his size and strength to finish around the rim, moves well without the basketball, and has the ability to make decisions playing out of ball screens. On the other end of the floor, he can guard any spot on the perimeter and does a nice job of making an impact on the glass.     Dike, a combo guard out of the Taft School in Connecticut, makes plays with a combination of feel for the game, athleticism, and strength. He's 6'1" but has a compact build and a solid base, both of which allow him to make plays off the bounce through contact. He's a tough finisher in the paint and can make good decisions when operating as a ball-handler in ball screens. Defensively, he has the ability to play at a high level on the ball, utilizing lateral quickness and a quick set of hands to his advantage. He makes plays on the ball and in passing lanes that lead to steals and deflections.     Dillahunt, a point guard out of Wilbraham & Monson Academy in Massachusetts, sees the game well and has the ability to get anywhere he wants on the floor off the bounce. He's a good decision maker in the half-court that excels playing out of ball screens, while also showing some shot creation ability in isolation situations. He does a nice job of creating space off the bounce and can really score it from behind the arc. Defensively, he has the ability to keep opposing ball-handlers out of the paint with his combination of lateral mobility and solid instincts.    Keep an eye out this week as we continue our positional breakdowns for the Class of 2029 with a look at the wings, forwards, and bigs!

Today, we kick off rankings coverage for the Class of 2029 with a look the at guards!