Rankings Update: 2028 Combo Guards

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our&nbsp;positional breakdowns&nbsp;for the&nbsp;<em>Class of 2028</em>&nbsp;continue today with a look at the&nbsp;<em>Combo Guards</em>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In all, 26&nbsp;<em>Combo Guards</em>&nbsp;appeared in our rankings update, including our top ranked&nbsp;<em>Combo Guard</em>, <em>Portsmouth High School's</em> <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='2594613' first='Derek' last='Swartz']</em></strong>, who checks in at&nbsp;<strong><em>#2</em></strong>&nbsp;in the overall rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/position-ranking-table {"name":"acf/position-ranking-table","data":{"class":"2028","_class":"field_65cfb7374abb9","position":"77244","_position":"field_65cfbfcb19ad6","national_rankings":"0","_national_rankings":"field_660c1d73c0e49","state":"77239","_state":"field_65cfb88a603fe"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6967b73244470"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below are five&nbsp;<em>Combo Guards</em>&nbsp;of note from the latest rankings update.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2194726"],"_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-6967bb14c0255"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Buckley, a guard out of <em>Thayer Academy</em> in Massachusetts, checks in at <strong><em>#4</em></strong> among the <em>combo guards</em> and <strong><em>#13</em></strong> overall. Buckley has been a <em>stock riser</em> over the first third of the prep season, showing the ability to play as an on-ball creator or off-ball scorer and to fill both roles at a high level. The 6'4" guard has a big frame that allows him to play through contact offensively, while also showing a good feel for pace and how to get to his spots as a scorer. He's an above the rim athlete that doesn't get sped up, finishes in a variety of ways around the rim, and has the ability to knock down shots at a high clip from behind the arc. On the other end of the floor, he's a versatile defender and solid rebounder from the guard spot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2829417"],"_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-6967bb14c02d0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">McClure, a guard out of <em>Phillips Exeter Academy</em> in New Hampshire, checks in at <strong><em>#6</em></strong> among the <em>combo guards</em> and <strong><em>#26</em></strong> overall. McClure has quickly established himself as one of the better scoring guards in this class while transitioning from D3 in the NHIAA to Class A in the NEPSAC. At 6'2", he has good positional size and looks to have added strength and athleticism since the end of last season. He knows how to create space off the bounce, steps confidently into his threes in catch and shoot situations, and is a tough, late shot clock scorer in isolation situaitons. Like Buckley, he is one of the better defensive rebounding guards in this group.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2571930"],"_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-6967bb14c0343"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Trimboli, a guard out of the <em>King School</em> in Connecticut, checks in at <strong><em>#12</em></strong> among the <em>combo guards</em> and <strong><em>#57</em></strong> overall. The 5'11" guard is an elite floor spacer in catch and shoot situations, utilizing a quick release to get his shot off and always being shot ready on the catch. He does a great job of moving without the basketball, uses screens to get open, and has shown the ability to attack closeouts to get into the paint as a scorer. He's a willing ball mover, takes good care of the basketball in the half-court, and has the ability to break down a defense off the bounce. His effort and intensity level stand out on the defensive end of the floor, where he does a great job of being in the right spots in rotation.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2571910"],"_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-6967bb14c03a0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Reaves, a guard out of the <em>Frederick Gunn School</em> in Connecticut, checks in at <strong><em>#20</em></strong> among the <em>combo guards</em> and <strong><em>#81</em></strong> overall. Reaves is one of the better perimeter defenders in this class, as his activity level is off the charts and he has good instincts both on and off the ball. He does a nice job of rebounding in space, makes a ton of plays on the ball and in passing lanes, and pitches it ahead in transition off turnovers for easy baskets. Offensively, he impresses with his ability to consistently make the right reads and delivers passes both on time and on target to teammates in scoring spots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2569702"],"_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-6967bb14c03fb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Fortier, a guard out of <em>St. Mary's Lynn</em> in Massachusetts, checks in at <strong><em>#24</em></strong> among the <em>combo guards</em> and <strong><em>#114</em></strong> overall. Fortier is seemingly the next guard up in a long line of prospects that have had success in the <em>St. Mary's</em> program, as the sophomore has gotten off to a blazing hot start this winter. Capable of going for 20+ points on any given night, he's a terrific decision maker with the ball in his hands that just knows what he needs to do to get to his scoring spots. He's a lights out shooter from behind the arc, but has also really impressed with his reads out of ball screens and his ability to play at different speeds off the bounce, allowing him to get to the rim at will as a finisher.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Keep an eye out this week as we continue our&nbsp;<em>Positional Breakdowns</em>&nbsp;for the&nbsp;<em>Class of 2028</em>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->