2021 Rankings Update: Guard Rankings (10-1)
As we continue to breakdown the updated 2021 rankings, we will look at positional rankings from across the state. We’ll take this time to look at the top 30 point guards and combo guards, look at the numbers 10-1. #10…
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Continue ReadingAs we continue to breakdown the updated 2021 rankings, we will look at positional rankings from across the state. We’ll take this time to look at the top 30 point guards and combo guards, look at the numbers 10-1.
#10 Kenard Richardson Kenard Richardson 6'3" | SG Life Christian | 2021 State VA | 6’3” | Life Christian (#25 Overall)
Richardson reclassified to the 2021 class when he transferred to LCA and it looks like a good move as he was named the VISAA D3 POY. The 6’3” guard had played off the ball at Varina but played more on the ball this year, showing his ability to get downhill and get in the lane and make plays for others. He’s grown into his body making him a much more explosive finisher, he’s still strong as an ox, he shoots the ball well off the pull-up and is a dog on both ends of the floor.
#9 Jason Nelson Jason Nelson 5'8" | PG John Marshall | 2021 State VA | 5’8” | John Marshall (#24 Overall)
After a successful freshman and sophomore year at Varina, Nelson transferred to John Marshall where he led the Justices to a Class 2 state championship. While he’s on the smaller side, Nelson controls the game extremely well, he showed improvement in his ability to score the ball from multiple levels and took over many games with his scoring ability. He has terrific feel and controls the game well, and he’s a guy who makes everyone on the team better as well.
#8 Quadir Pettaway Quadir Pettaway 6'0" | PG Woodside | 2021 State VA | 6’0” | Miller School (#23 Overall)
A natural scorer at the point guard position, Pettaway averaged right around 20 points per game while showing the ability to create and make shots from all over. He has great form on his jump shot and can hit from anywhere off the bounce or off the catch, he’s shifty in the lane and he fills it up in bunches when he gets it going. He can take over a game with his scoring ability but he also shows good feel and can make others better as well.
#7 Isaiah Folkes Isaiah Folkes 6'1" | PG Middleburg | 2021 PA | 6’1” | Middleburg (#16 Overall)
Folkes reclassified to the 2021 class after a successful there years at Stonewall Jackson and he’s reaped the benefits as he was named First Team All State and has picked up a number of offers along the way. He’s one of the most dynamic guards on this list as he’s fast end-to-end and he’s a great athlete that can finish way above the rim in traffic. He plays with a great motor on both ends and has a competitive chip you can’t teach, and he still has room to improve in a number of ways.
#6 Jaylani Darden Jaylani Darden 6'3" | CG Norview | 2021 State VA | 6’3” | Norview (#14 Overall)
Darden is a guy who’s stock should be going up after leading Norview to a Class 5 state championship, and he’s shown improvements in areas he needed to, mainly in his consistency from deep. A long 6’3” guard that stuffs the stat sheet in every way, he’s a guy you can play on the ball or off the ball and at the next level he should be someone you can plug and play in different areas. He can guard multiple positions, he has great feel in transition, he rebounds well and he has soft touch from all three levels.
#5 Allen Strothers Allen Strothers 6'2" | PG Menchville | 2021 State VA | 6’2” | Menchville (#13 Overall)
Strothers is another guy who continues to improve but still has room to get better and his best basketball is likely ahead of him. The 6’2” guard has a 6’9” wing span and he’s bouncy, which he uses to finish at the rim, catch lobs and he uses it defensively to get deflections and block shots as well. He’s dynamic and shifty off the bounce getting in the lane and breaking the press, he sees the floor extremely well and he’s able to score it in bunches when he gets it going.
#4 Mike Gray Mike Gray 6'0" | CG Blue Ridge | 2021 State VA | 6’1” | Blue Ridge (#12 Overall)
[player_tooltip player_id="957888" first="Mike" last="Gray"] BRThe VISAA D2 POY led a high powered offense that he fit perfectly with his ability to get up and down and score it from all over the court. Gray is a guy who can shoot it off the bounce with a quick release, he has a unique handle that is loose but fluid and he can break defenders down with and he’s able to draw help and kick to his shooters. Where he’s really underrated is on the glass, as he isn’t the biggest or most explosive guy but he rebounds among the trees, allowing him to start the break and get in transition quicker where he thrives.
#3 Angelo Brizzi Angelo Brizzi 6'3" | PG Highland School | 2021 State #216 Nation VA | 6’3” | Highland School (#9 Overall)
A very talented shot maker that holds a ton of offers from mid majors all across the country, Brizzi is a guy who was on the verge of picking up the high major offers if the summer circuit ever gets going. He’s a super talented shot making lefty with range well beyond the three-point line whether it’s off the catch or off the bounce. He’s a tough and gritty kid who showed he’s a good leader, he’s an underrated athlete and defender and he can absolutely light you up as he had multiple 30+ point performances this year.
#2 Mark Sears Mark Sears 6'1" | CG Hargrave | 2020 #220 Nation VA | 6’1” | Hargrave (#7 Overall)
Sears started in a talented backcourt on Hargrave’s post grad team that included Georgia commit KD Johnson and the late AJ James who was committed to Missouri State. He’s a physical guard with a great frame, he’s surprisingly bouncy and shifty for his size and he’s a dual threat guy that can score it from all over but also is unselfish and can make the right passes with some flare to it as well. He has multiple high major schools interested in him and he’s likely going to be a high major guy with another year at Hargrave.
#1 Darius Johnson Darius Johnson 6'0" | PG Episcopal | 2021 State #159 Nation VA | 6’1” | Episcopal (#6 Overall)
Johnson retains his spot as the top guard in the 2021 class and his recent offers from the likes of Wake Forest and Seton Hall only back that claim more. He’s a stocky guard that thrives when he gets downhill with his ability to take contact and finish through it, or he can go up top and finish above the rim with his athleticism as well. He’s a guy who brings it on both ends of the floor, he shows deep range past the NBA line and he continually comes at you time and time again.