One of the best guards at The Expo this year was Grant. Despite being just a rising sophomore, he has really emerged this summer as a guy who can step up and help lead the defending state champs to a title defense. His balance of scoring and facilitating allows him to dominate games right now, and that, combined with length and athleticism, projects well long-term.

The second Westwood Redhawk to grace this list is Grant. Desmond also moved up three spots in this rankings update, earning a birth in the Top 10. I was impressed by what I saw from him early in the summer, but he solidified his spot in the Top 10 with a handful of impressive showings with Upward Stars Columbia to close the summer. Grant’s positional size and length are what have his trajectory among the best guards in his class, but he already has shown that he will produce on both ends whenever he’s on the floor.

Capping off the list is Desmond Grant Desmond Grant 6'2" | PG Westwood | 2029 State SC , who teamed up with Upward Stars Columbia last weekend for the Phenom Hoops League Finals. The addition of Grant helped take a very strong group to the next level, resulting in a run to Sunday’s Final Four. Desmond’s size and length were clear advantages against opposing 2029 guards, making him an elite two-way playmaker. Whether it was scoring off two feet in the lane, knocking down outside shots, running the pick-and-roll, forcing turnovers, or contesting jumpers, it was clear the difference that Grant made when he was on the floor.

One of the most consistent players for Twelve Time in EYBL play so far is Desmond. He’s putting up 8.4 points per game and 2.0 assists per game through two sessions, showing he has a balance of scoring and creating. Desmond is athletic enough to make plays around the rim and is a good enough shooter to play off-ball at times. Grant might be good now, but he could be an elite player at Westwood over the next few years.

Desmond Grant Desmond Grant 6'2" | PG Westwood | 2029 State SC might not have had the minutes that some of the other 2029s had, but he was behind some of the best guards in school history and learned plenty in the Redhawks State-Championship winning season. Desmond is a knockdown perimeter shooter and makes good decisions when on the ball. He’s still learning how to play the point, but he’s in great hands and has all the room for growth in the world.