2027 Shooting Guards To Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Arkansas has plenty of talented guards in the 2027 class, and this group brings a variety of different strengths to the floor. Some can take over as scorers, while others stand out with their playmaking, shooting, defense or ability to impact the game in multiple ways. With another season ahead of them, these guards will have opportunities to take on bigger roles and continue making a name for themselves across the state. Here are five 2027 guards to keep an eye on this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1091190' first='Journey' last='Jefferson']</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1091190' first='Journey' last='Jefferson'] has been one of the most productive guards in Arkansas throughout her high school career, earning All-Conference and All-State honors every season. The 5'7" Earle guard averaged&nbsp;21.5 points and 9.4 assists per game&nbsp;last season, showing just how much she can impact the game as both a scorer and facilitator. Her shooting range is one of the first things that stands out, as she can knock down threes from deep or create space for a mid-range jumper off the dribble. She has also continued to become more controlled with the ball, playing with better pace and allowing plays to develop instead of rushing possessions. Jefferson's defensive effort adds another layer to her game, as she pressures opposing guards, creates turnovers and can quickly turn a defensive play into offense. She finished with&nbsp;27 points and four threes against Jasper&nbsp;in the 1A state tournament and scored&nbsp;29 against Marked Tree, passing 1,000 career points in the process. With her ability to run an offense, create her own shot and make plays defensively, Jefferson brings a lot to the floor every time she steps on it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='593920' first='Ryanne' last='Nelke']</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At 6'0", [player_tooltip player_id='593920' first='Ryanne' last='Nelke'] already has good size for a guard, but her shooting is what immediately grabs your attention. The Greenwood guard has established herself as a dangerous perimeter threat and has already passed&nbsp;1,000 career pointswhile averaging around&nbsp;21 points per game. She isn't limited to waiting for someone else to create her looks either, as she has the handle and confidence to create her own shot. Her size makes her even tougher to defend on the perimeter because she can get her shot off over smaller guards. Nelke gives Greenwood a player who can stretch the floor while also taking on more responsibility with the ball, making her a tough matchup when she's able to get into a rhythm.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1093237' first='McKenzie' last='Williams']</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1093237' first='McKenzie' last='Williams'] brings a different type of impact to the guard position. The 5'6" Lakeside guard is naturally a&nbsp;pass-first player, always looking for opportunities to get her teammates involved, but she has enough offensive ability to punish defenses when they give her space. Williams can score at all three levels, giving her more ways to attack than just relying on her outside shot or getting all the way to the basket. Her defensive effort is another important part of her game, allowing her to make an impact even when she's not scoring. Williams also has an important comeback story after overcoming an ACL injury, and her return gives Lakeside an experienced guard who can help control the game on both ends.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1900296' first='Taylor' last='Richardson']</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1900296' first='Taylor' last='Richardson'] has already accomplished a lot before entering her junior season, including reaching&nbsp;1,000 career points as a sophomore. The 5'11" Viola guard has the size and skill to create problems from several spots on the floor. She can knock down shots from three, attack from the mid-range or use her handle to get downhill and finish at the basket. Richardson isn't just a scorer, though, as she uses her size to help on the boards and can make plays defensively by getting into passing lanes. She showed that all-around ability in a&nbsp;28-point, 11-rebound, 2-assist performance against Concord, followed by&nbsp;22 points, six rebounds and four assists against Bradford. Her combination of size, scoring ability and ball skills makes her a versatile option for Viola.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1196095' first='Natalie' last='Babb']</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1196095' first='Natalie' last='Babb']'s size gives her an interesting advantage at the guard position. Standing at&nbsp;5'10", the Cutter-Morning Star guard has the ability to handle the ball while also using her size to attack smaller defenders. She's shown that she can create offense for herself, but she's also comfortable making plays for teammates and moving the ball. Babb's recent production gives a good look at that versatility: she finished with&nbsp;19 points, 10 rebounds and six assists against Parkers Chapel, then followed it with&nbsp;16 points and nine rebounds against Mountain Pine&nbsp;and&nbsp;17 points, seven rebounds and five assists against Murfreesboro. Those numbers show that she can affect a game in multiple ways rather than needing to score 20-plus points every night. Her combination of size, ball-handling and playmaking makes her an especially interesting guard to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->