Class Of 2026 College Prospect Rankings: Byron’s Guards To Watch

<!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"style":{"typography":{"fontStyle":"italic","fontWeight":"500"}},"fontSize":"medium"} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size" style="font-style:italic;font-weight:500">This class is one of the most talented classes in the state, let alone the country. More players are receiving college offers, and with the College Portal being a huge factor, those official offers hold valuable weight in where these players fall on the Rankings System.</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"textAlign":"center","level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center">Below are a couple of guards who should be on college radars.</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":1} --> <h1 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/illinois/rankings/2026-rankings/">Class Of 2026 College Prospect Rankings</a></h1> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["590575"],"_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-6657ee80ab76c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"center","placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="has-text-align-center text-gray-700"><em>Lacey continues to improve her game as the years go on. Her frame is college-built, her athleticism is college-ready, but her ability to play any role is, in my opinion, at the top of her skill set. On both sides of the ball, Lacey is one of the best prospects in this class. She is a player to keep on any college radar.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["407517"],"_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-6657ee80ab7c9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"center","placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="has-text-align-center text-gray-700"><em>Rifenburg has had many moments over the past couple of months that reflect her work ethic. Her moves look sharper, her decisions are quicker, and her frame seems to have grown a bit. She has a deep skill set, college-ready length, and solid athleticism. She is on her way to becoming one of the top 2026 combo guards in the state.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["598540"],"_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-6657ee80ab810"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"center","placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="has-text-align-center text-gray-700"><em>Vyverman just plays the game at such a controlled pace. She's never sped up or rushed into the decisions that she makes. Fluid and consistent form that usually translates to bottom of the net from beyond the arc. On the defensive of the ball, she displays strong footwork to do deal with faster and shiftier guards. </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["469632"],"_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-6657ee80ab853"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"center","placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="has-text-align-center text-gray-700"><em>My first time seeing Natalie was at the Montini Summer League her freshman year, and since then, she has added multiple layers to her game. Besides being a pure athlete, Frempong's defensive instincts are sharp, her awareness of her surroundings is clear, and her readiness to take on challenges is evident whenever she touches the court. She is one of those players you have to see in action to truly appreciate her impact on the team.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["514880"],"_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-6657ee80ab895"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"center","placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="has-text-align-center text-gray-700"><em>Defensively, Kayla's footwork is among the best in this class. Her ability to move laterally, stay low, and switch angles with speed makes her a pest in the backcourt. On the offensive side, she plays with a lot of poise and can get hot from beyond the arc within a couple of shots. She also has tremendous pace when attacking the basket. She's one of those players who can be integrated into multiple systems and still make an impact.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":1} --> <h1 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/illinois/rankings/2026-rankings/">Class Of 2026 College Prospect Rankings</a></h1> <!-- /wp:heading -->