AZ’s Best: Top ’26 Point Guards to watch (Part 2)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is part two of a three-part series that will break down 15 point guards across the state. Here is part one: <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2024/09/azs-best-top-26-point-guards-to-watch/">AZ's Best: Top '26 Point Guards to watch</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the club season winding down and coming to an end and high school hoops on the horizon, this will serve as a primer with players to watch this coming season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Point guards are the focal point of the offense. Statistics can sure help, but many factors go into evaluating a point guard outside of the box score. The intangibles, the leadership, the ability to make quick decisions, body language, coachability, basketball IQ, etc., weight into scouting reports on lead guards. The handle, and court vision are two other key factors that I look at when evaluating this position. We will dive into some of the top decision-makers in the state here below.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["754707"],"_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-66f2765a92c5f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='754707' first='Jesminda' last='Garcia'] comes in ranked as our #3 point guard in our 2026 class rankings and 38th overall. The 5'8" point guard appeared in 26 games for Arizona College Prep last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She averaged 4.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.1 steals, and 1.5 assists per game as a sophomore on varsity. The talented multi-sport athlete should have an expanded role this season and should be one of the top point guards in the state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>See highlights of Garcia's game below. Her ability to attack off the dribble and knock down catch-and-shoot jumpers was at full display here.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/Jesminda2026/status/1814842550110298383","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/Jesminda2026/status/1814842550110298383 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["845258"],"_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-66f2788d8288d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='845258' first='Ellie' last='Phillips'] is our fourth-ranked point guard in the class of 2026. She comes in at number 45 overall. The 5'3" floor general put together a strong sophomore season for Valley Christian, averaging 18.3 points per game on 50% shooting. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Along with her strong scoring numbers, she posted 3.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 2.6 steals per game, showing she can do some dirty work as well. We'll be keeping tabs on her as she looks poised for a big junior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["530989"],"_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-66f2f1dbf234a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Johnson is our fifth-ranked point guard in our class of '26 rankings. The 5'1" point guard put together a strong sophomore season at Valley Vista. In 23 games, she posted 13.7 points, 2.2 assists, 2.0 rebounds, and 2.7 steals per game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Her ability to generate steals and efficiently get buckets stands out. Johnson shot 50% from the field and 44% from three-point range. She'll be a player to track in an expanded role as a junior at Valley Vista.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["659945"],"_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-66f2f6854b68a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kerns is a player to watch this season after a strong sophomore season at Higley. The 5'5" point guard is our 50th-ranked prospect in her class and comes in at number six in the point guard rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kerns put up 8.8 points per game along with 3.9 rebounds, 2.4 steals, and 2.2 assists during her second season on varsity. In an expected expanded role as a junior, we will monitor her playmaking along with her defensive impact. She projects to be one of the top guards in the state this upcoming season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["608452"],"_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-66f2f6854b6dd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Carranza is our eighth-ranked point guard in the class of 2026 and comes in at number 54 overall in our rankings. The 5'7" point out of Canyon View is poised for a breakout season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">In 11 games as a sophomore during the 23-24 season, Carranza posted 10.2 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 2.4 APG, and 2.4 SPG. She has a career 3.36 Ast:TO ratio and has 49 deflections in 32 games played in her young career. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Her all-around game will be one to watch this season as she enters year three. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->