Under the Radar Guards in the New 2026 Rankings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Hoops Missouri released its newly updated Class of 2026 rankings this week. Here is a look at a group of guards and wings who are hidden gems in the updated rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2966383' first='Gary' last='Tilley'] (Richland Essex): The 6'4" shooting guard is a Class 1 All-State performer and one of the top perimeter shooters in the SEMO area. He can really fill it up from long distance when he gets it going. He is also very good at attacking the close outs to create off the dribble with the pull up jumper and the straight line drive. He enjoyed a big summer grassroots season playing for the IQ Hoopz 17U squad.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2966396' first='Raife' last='Smith'] (Mid Buchanan): A 6'1" combo guard who returns after a Class 3 All-State campaign where he led the Dragons to a 20-victory season last year. He is an impressive offensive player who can break down defenders off the dribble and also power his way into the lane with his physical strength. He is a good athlete and a capable scorer from all three levels.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2717809' first='Eli' last='Bollinger'] (Francis Howell North): A 6'3" guard who is one of the top returning players in the St. Charles area. He has good size for his position and he is very effective when he's attacking the basket. As a junior, he averaged 14 points, six rebounds and three assists a game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2843271' first='Nathan' last='Sawyer'] (Wheatland): A 6'1" guard who returns after leading Wheatland to a Final Four berth and a third-place finish in the Class 1 state tournament in 2025. He's a crafty ball handler who can create his own shot and also score at all three levels. He can also dial it up from 3-point range as he hit 80 triples last season. As a junior, he averaged 16 points, five rebounds and three assists while shooting an excellent 39 percent from 3-point range. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2966447' first='Tyre' last='Blueford'] (Sumner): A 6'4" wing player who has excellent athleticism along with the ability to score from all three levels. He really excels from the mid-range area where he can pull up and elevate over defenders, regardless of size. He is also an excellent finisher at the rim and in the transition game. He rebounds the ball very well from the guard position. He averaged 17 points and eight rebounds a game as a junior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2843290' first='Tae' last='Brown'] (Brunswick): A 5'10" point guard who is one of the top returning players for a Brunswick team that was 26-3 and one of the top squads in Class 1. He is an excellent ball handler with good quickness, but he is very good at playing at his own pace. He is a very good passer and he can also knock down 3-pointers when he is left open.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->