Grassroots Season Preview: 2027 Guards to Watch in SoCal

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Featured in this article are up-and-coming prospects in the loaded 2027 class. Guard may be the deepest, most prolific position by far. The #1 sophomore in the nation is ironically a SoCal guard. There are so many elite scorers, playmakers, shooters, and defenders to choose from. This will make for a very entertaining spring/summer with several marquee matchups.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1221877"],"_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-67e991f75c4b2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>Aakash</strong> led her high school squad to a 22-5 overall record. Very few weaknesses in her game. She is a handful in transition with an impressive layup package at the rim. She knows when to score and when to pass. Her pace and ball control shows maturity well beyond her years. Shooters would love to play with <strong>Aakash</strong>. She gets into the lane at will and can pick a defense apart with timely kick-outs to give her teammates open looks. As a sophomore, <strong>Aakash</strong> was a stat sheet stuffer. 21 games with 4+ steals. 13 games with 4+ assists. 16 games with 20+ points. Double-digit boards in every single game but one. <strong>Aakash</strong> is a legit combo guard and flat-out gamer. After making the All-CIF San Diego team as a freshman, she has continuously gotten better and better. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1255399' first='Riyanna' last='Meaders']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12123","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Rosary Academy","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='714065' first='Troop' last='West']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67eb5a7c4a4f2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>Riyanna</strong> checks a lot of boxes. Tough finisher inside. Gifted playmaker. Scrappy defender. High basketball IQ. She is miles ahead of her opponents mentally. Making the right play is second nature for <strong>Riyanna</strong>. She routinely sets her bigs up with the perfect drive-and-dish. <strong>Riyanna</strong> has high-level shot-making ability. She finishes with contact at the rim. Exceptional footwork and shooting mechanics. She shoots the ball with range. Defensively, <strong>Riyanna </strong>is a ball hawk with a nose for the ball. Her all-around game makes her an enticing prospect to watch throughout the spring and summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1262465' first='Tatyana' last='Aubry']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12123","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Leuzinger","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67eb5a7c4a45d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>Tatyana's</strong> game is made for grassroots. She is a prolific scorer, so most teams will defend her with the expectation she is looking to score. This will allow for several playmaking opportunities. She is already an underrated passer. <strong>Tatyana</strong> can get hot from distance but also scores in creative ways through the natural flow of the game. Expect multiple games this summer with 30+ points and/or 8+ assists. With ideal size, elite scoring instincts, and underrated playmaking ability, <strong>Tatyana</strong> is a very promising prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1255372' first='Zetta' last='Faasua']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12121","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Chaparral","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"EVOLUTION ELITE","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67eb60c8919a7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>Zetta</strong> is a proven winner and has shown out against the best of the best in SoCal. She led her high school to the Division 3AA Southern Section semifinals in an extremely competitive division. She does whatever it takes to win. Relentless pursuit of loose balls and rebounds. Great feel for the game. <strong>Zetta's</strong> versatility is off the charts on both ends. Her jumper looks pure every time it leaves her hands. <strong>Zetta</strong> has more than enough skill as a full-time shooting guard despite heavy minutes at power forward due to team needs. She will climb the ranks over the next few months following her breakout sophomore season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Abigail Ector","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12121","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Arroyo Valley","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67eb60c8918d1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>Abigail</strong> was only 1 of 3 underclassmen to make the Division 5A All-CIF team for Arroyo Valley. She will carry that momentum forward to grassroots season. <strong>Abigail </strong>is as competitive as they come. She is a menace on the defensive end. Her switch-ability makes her an asset regardless of her role on offense. The sky is the limit as she gains confidence and continues to refine her game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["843769"],"_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-67e8159c7ec0c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>Katelyn</strong> is an emerging talent near the Palm Springs area. Her consistency as a scorer, playmaker, and defender is unreal. 14 games with 4 or more assists this past high school season. 3 games with double-digit steals. She has the quickness and anticipation you are looking for in a top-tier defender. <strong>Katelyn</strong> can get to the line and score on all three levels. Her season-high, 36 points, is a perfect example of how dangerous she can be. If the opposing team doesn't have an elite guard defender, expect <strong>Katelyn</strong> to pick them apart as a scorer and facilitator this summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->