Showstoppers: Guards You Can't Afford To Miss This Season

With us being so close to the beginning of the HS season, their are some elctryfying players that you have to see in person this season , here I want to showcase some of the guards that are must see and well worth the admission.    [player_tooltip player_id='1327030' first='Terricka' last='Belanger'] is a transfer from Canada, and it only took one game to see how talented she is. Belanger attacks the rim with power and control, showcasing a strong handle and a relentless slashing style. She embraces contact and plays with a physical edge, keeping her moves efficient and purposeful—no wasted dribbles in her attack. With her strong base, she can rise up for pull-up jumpers with ease. Anyone tasked with guarding her for four quarters will definitely feel it the next day. Belanger is a must-see this season as she competes with ZCA.     [player_tooltip player_id='1235146' first='Leila' last='Figueroa']'s energy and effort on both sides of the ball are contagious, pushing her teammates to match her intensity. Figueroa can also knock down the three-ball effectively, making her one of the most versatile guards in Florida's 2028 class. In a fall league game in Charlotte, she displayed impressive confidence on the floor, playing with great energy—and showing that same enthusiasm even when on the bench. Expect Figueroa to have several big performances this season for her Doral team, which utilizes everyone in its system. I predict multiple 10+ point games for her this year.     [player_tooltip player_id='248680' first='Janiya' last='Swift'] is a surgeon on the floor. As a point guard, she has the ability to pick apart defenses with her timely passes, control the tempo of the game, and handle on-ball pressure while still running the show. She's the blueprint of a true floor general—someone who can control the game in tight matchups and lead her team to victory. I foresee this being one of Swift's best seasons yet, as she's gained even more confidence. With her ability to get to the rim and be a technician in transition, and with the talent surrounding her at Southeastern Prep Academy, she's poised to record multiple double-doubles and even flirt with triple-doubles throughout the season.     [player_tooltip player_id='1235063' first='Jackie' last='Hughes'] is a shooter—and she has the confidence and high intensity on every play to prove it. If you leave her open off the catch, she'll make more than she'll miss, so that's a mistake you can't afford to make. If you decide to play her tight or close out, she's perfected the step-back jumper with a quick release, and if your hands are down, she'll knock it down. With the shot clock era beginning, Hughes will adapt quickly, as she's the type of player who can create her own shot off the dribble. Joining Grandview Prep this season, she'll have the chance to showcase her one-on-one ability, and with so much talent on the roster, she's expected to play a major role in their pursuit of back-to-back state championships.     [player_tooltip player_id='489556' first='Chikae' last='Desdunes'] is one of the best guards in the nation, which is why she's committed to Penn State. If you haven't seen her play in person yet, you need to catch her on this final run of her senior year. The 5'10" guard has a smooth, composed play style—her mid-range pull-up is poetry every time she gets to her spots. In transition, she sees the floor as if she has panoramic vision, picking defenses apart with precision. Her high basketball IQ and unwavering confidence make her game a must-see before she takes her talents to the big stage next year.     [player_tooltip player_id='1222625' first='Darya' last='Kulik'] is a true professional on the floor. Before her injury last season at Montverde, she delivered impressive performances every time she stepped on the court. Her overseas experience shows in her precise and intentional ball handling—it's nearly impossible to strip the ball from her. Kulik actually welcomes defensive pressure, using an opponent's aggression against them to control the game and get where she wants to go. Scoring is no issue for her either; she consistently finishes at a high percentage, whether it's from beyond the arc, mid-range, or at the rim. Be sure to catch her in action this season at Southeastern Prep Academy.     [player_tooltip player_id='741323' first='Nylah' last='Brooks'] is a two-way point guard who can control the game on both ends of the floor. Offensively, she excels at running her team's system and has a keen ability to know where her teammates need the ball, consistently finding the hot hand. Defensively, she forces turnovers on-ball and off-ball, quickly turning defense into offense and finding teammates in transition for easy buckets. Her poise fits perfectly with Booker T. Washington's roster, which is filled with next-level talent, as she constantly elevates the players around her. Brooks is poised to play a major role in helping her team finally capture the 5A state championship.     [player_tooltip player_id='839225' first='Kennedy' last='Borders'] is an out-of-state transfer generating major hype as a must-see player. In Texas, she was known for her athletic playing style on both ends of the floor, displaying excellent body control to finish through contact at the rim, while also having the skill to shoot effectively off the catch. If defenders close out on her too aggressively, she has an explosive first step to punish them. Even from highlight film, Borders is a player you need to see in person this season.

With us being so close to the beginning of the HS season, their are some elctryfying players that you have to see in person this season , here I want to showcase some of the guards that are must see and well worth the admission.