Positional Breakdown: The Top Combo-Guards in the Class of 2026

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Linked to the latest Rankings Update, the ‘Positional Breakdown' series is an in-depth look at players from the 2026 Class, who occupy a specific position. In regard to the rankings update, factors include the ‘eye-test' and career-stats.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When it comes to the Combo-Guard position, players must have the ability to handle multiple duties such as handling the ball and initiating the offense. On top of that, Combo-Guards must also be able to play off the ball and get to the spots where they can be most effective. Lastly, the Combo-Guards must contribute to playing hard-nosed defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is how some notable Combo-Guards matchup with one another!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:table {"className":"is-style-stripes"} --> <figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong>Player</strong></td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong>Overall Class Ranking</strong></td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">[player_tooltip player_id='893556' first='Desta' last='Rose']</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">6</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">[player_tooltip player_id='648194' first='Malaiya' last='Castro']</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">7</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">[player_tooltip player_id='648198' first='Taylianna' last='Castillo']</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">11</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">[player_tooltip player_id='648232' first='Jazzlyn' last='Gomez']</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">13</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Sophia Lopez</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">21</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">[player_tooltip player_id='648215' first='Mariella' last='Ruiz']</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">24</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">[player_tooltip player_id='648192' first='LillyAnna' last='Martinez']</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">26</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">[player_tooltip player_id='893562' first='Haylee' last='Nocki']</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">32</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">[player_tooltip player_id='648218' first='Delanna' last='Russell']</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">38</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["893556"],"_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-68506f42797ab"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">As a junior, Rose was one of two players from the 2026 Class to have scored 500+ points. In 27 games played for the Longhorns, the speedy Rose finished with 516 points total, which averaged out to a staggering 19.1 points per game. What makes the scoring output even more impressive, is that Rose shot 45 percent from the field overall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["648194"],"_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-68506f427981f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">To date, Castro is the only Combo-Guard from the 2026 Class and one of two players from the 4A Class to have surpassed 1000 career points. This achievement puts Castro is rare territory, and in the upper echelon of scorers entirely.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">In 108 games played for the Wildcats, the clever Castro has totaled 1180 points, 239 rebounds, 190 assists and 192 steals. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["648198"],"_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-68506f4279888"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the most promising back-court players in the 2026 Class, Castillo is a One-Time All-State Selection who can score inside-out. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Across 75 games, Castillo has put up 676 points, 298 rebounds, 161 assists and 209 steals for the Fighting Colts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["648232"],"_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-68506f42798d5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gomez is an aggressive two-way play-maker who, to this point, has logged 12 career Double-Doubles in 80 games played. Such total gives the 5'8" Gomez, the most among all 2026 Combo-Guards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In all, Gomez has 657 points, 408 rebounds, 109 assists and 333 steals for the Tigers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["811192"],"_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-68506f4279947"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lopez is an intriguing, lanky play-maker who stands at 5'11". Because of her athleticism, length and motor, Lopez is able to cover a lot of ground, especially on the defensive end of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As a junior, Lopez averaged 2.3 steals per game in 23 games played for the Ravens. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["648215"],"_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-68533adbf3b0a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thus far, Ruiz, a two-way play-making shot creator, is the only Combo-Guard to have 200+ assists and 200+ steals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">For her career, the One-Time All-State Selection has yielded 452 points, 343 rebounds, 212 assists and 212 steals in 77 games played for the Horsemen.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["648192"],"_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-68506f4279990"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Martinez is a fundamentally-sound back-court player who happens to have an All-State nod to her name. That feat came back when she was in a Dons uniform during the 2023-24 season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fast forward to 2024-25 and Martinez is sporting a Rams jersey. In 31 games played, Martinez posted 7.9 points per game this past season with 27 3PM on 35/24/65 shooting splits. (FG/3P/FT)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["893562"],"_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-68506f42799fd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Despite being a One-Time All-State Selection, Nocki is still essentially 'under the radar'.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nocki has steadily improved and has done a good job of providing the Broncos with floor-spacing and play-making capabilities.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["648218"],"_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-68506f4279a78"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Altogether, Russell has tallied 452 points, 479 rebounds, 121 assists and 120 steals in 74 games played for the Bobcats. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Moreover, the hardworking Russell has recorded the second most Double-Doubles at her position, with seven total!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*Statistics via MaxPreps*</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*Player statistics are dependent upon by the Coach/Staff of the attended high school to be accurately entered*</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Glossary</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PTS:</strong>&nbsp;Points</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PPG:</strong>&nbsp;Points Per Game</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FG%:&nbsp;</strong>Field-Goal Percentage</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3PM:</strong>&nbsp;Three-Pointers Made</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3P%:&nbsp;</strong>Three-Point Percentage</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>STL:</strong>&nbsp;Steals</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->