2018 Rankings Update: NOVA Guards (Part 1)
This year, for our updated rankings breakdowns we decided to do it by area and by position. The Northern VA area and the DMV as a whole has produced some of the best basketball players in the country over the past couple of decades. With that being said, here’s a look at part one of the Northern VA guards that were ranked in the 2018 class in VA.
*Note: This list only includes players who play high school basketball in the Northern Virginia Area.
Xavier Johnson | 6’1” | Bishop O’Connell (#6 Overall)
Johnson has everything you need in a high major point guard and is possibly one of the most underrated players in the country. He’s a downhill scoring guard that can shoot the midrange, run the pick and roll, has a tight handle and can create for himself and others. He defends, rebounds and finishes in traffic, and should be an immediate impact guy at Nebraska next year.
Darius Hines | 5’10” | Bishop Ireton (#30 Overall)
Hines is a division one talent without a division one offer and it’s probably because he doesn’t check all of the physical boxes, but he has shown time and time again he can do it against some of the best players in the state. Hines has tremendous feel, the ability to create and make shots from all three levels, and he plays with a pace and tempo that you can’t teach.
Shyheim Gilkerson | 6’0” | VA Academy (#47 Overall)
Gilkerson’s biggest asset is his unbelievable speed and quick first step. He can play on and off the ball, has good burst and the ability to make plays and he does so without over dribbling as he works well out of the triple threat. He’s a guy who has improved every year as well which means he’ll likely improve at the next level as well.
Domenick Bailey | 6’0” | St. Stephen’s St. Agnes (#54 Overall)
Bailey is a high IQ combo guard that understands spacing and makes plays in whatever situation he is in. He can handle the basketball, sees the floor well and he can really score it well in the midrange area. He’s a crafty finisher, he’s a leader on the floor and he’s a guy who makes everyone better around him.
Daud Avazov | 6’1” | John Paul the Great (#57 Overall)
A supreme athlete, Avazov is a combo guard that plays above the rim and can guard multiple positions. He has a quick first step, can score off the bounce with ease and finish at and above the rim with ease in transition.
Zyan Collins | 6’1” | Freedom South-Riding (#68 Overall)
Collins is a multisport star who excels in both basketball and football. He’s a superb athlete who can guard multiple positions, has great size and natural instincts on both ends of the floor. He can score it from all three levels, is great in transition and can play both guard positions at a high level.
Gabriel Kier | 6’2” | West Springfield (#69 Overall)
Kier is a super skilled guard out of West Springfield that can knock down shots from all over the floor off the bounce. He’s an assassin from deep, as he’s shown that he can be a consistent shooter both off the bounce and off the catch. He has great feel, and is an above average athlete at the point guard position.