Wondering who the top guard tandems in the DC Metro Area are? You’ve come to the right place. This article breaks them down, in order, starting from 10 and counting down to 1.
*Editor’s Note: Baltimore area prospects are not included in this list.
Lee, a rising junior, transferred from Northwest to Clarksburg midway through the past season. He’s a skilled guard who can fill it up with the best and will form a dynamic partnership alongside Prather, a rising senior who was one of the DMV’s top scorers last season. It would be a mistake not to mention Nurideen "NuNu" Taylor along with these two as he’s a valuable two-way contributor in the Coyotes talented backcourt.
Much of KIPP’s recent success can be attributed to the value that rising seniors Rasheed DupreeRasheedDupree5'5" | PGKIPP | 2021StateMD and Saveon JacksonSaveonJackson6'0" | CGKIPP | 2021StateMD have added to the program. These two are tone-setters who a bit of everything on both ends of the floor and are proven winners. Their classmate Charles McClainCharlesMcClain5'9" | PGKIPP | 2021StateMD has recently emerged
Wondering who the top guard tandems in the DC Metro Area are? You’ve come to the right place. This article breaks them down, in order, starting from 10 and counting down to 1.
*Editor’s Note: Baltimore area prospects are not included in this list.
10.
CJ Lee
CJLee6'1" | CGRock Creek Christian | 2022StateMD and
Ryan Prather Jr.RyanPrather Jr.6'3" | SGBishop Walsh | 2021StateMD | Clarksburg (MD)
Lee, a rising junior, transferred from Northwest to Clarksburg midway through the past season. He’s a skilled guard who can fill it up with the best and will form a dynamic partnership alongside Prather, a rising senior who was one of the DMV’s top scorers last season. It would be a mistake not to mention Nurideen "NuNu" Taylor along with these two as he’s a valuable two-way contributor in the Coyotes talented backcourt.
9.
Rasheed DupreeRasheedDupree5'5" | PGKIPP | 2021StateMD and
Saveon JacksonSaveonJackson6'0" | CGKIPP | 2021StateMD | KIPP (DC)
Much of KIPP’s recent success can be attributed to the value that rising seniors
Rasheed DupreeRasheedDupree5'5" | PGKIPP | 2021StateMD and
Saveon JacksonSaveonJackson6'0" | CGKIPP | 2021StateMD have added to the program. These two are tone-setters who a bit of everything on both ends of the floor and are proven winners. Their classmate
Charles McClainCharlesMcClain5'9" | PGKIPP | 2021StateMD has recently emerged as another sneaky-good guard from this program.
8.
Nasir BestNasirBest6'2" | PGWoodrow Wilson | 2021StateMD and
Miasiah BrownMiasiahBrown6'2" | CGWoodrow Wilson | 2021StateMD | Woodrow Wilson (DC)
Many wondered how Wilson would look this past season after their most dominant season in recent memory. The addition of rising senior Miasiah "Zay" Brown was welcomed as he paired in the backcourt alongside his classmate
Nasir BestNasirBest6'2" | PGWoodrow Wilson | 2021StateMD. These two combined to form a tenacious defensive backcourt. The development of 2021
Eric MorganEricMorgan6'1" | SGWoodrow Wilson | 2021StateMD Jr. should not be overlooked. He’s Wilson’s best shooter and is a fine complement to either Best, Brown, or both in any lineup.
7.
Ryan CornishRyanCornish6'3" | CGSidwell Friends | 2021StateMD and
Cam GillusCamGillus5'10" | PGSidwell Friends | 2023State#134NationMD | Sidwell Friends (DC)
Rising sophomore
Cam GillusCamGillus5'10" | PGSidwell Friends | 2023State#134NationMD and rising senior
Ryan CornishRyanCornish6'3" | CGSidwell Friends | 2021StateMD impressed in their first season pairing together for Sidwell. These two get the job done on both ends of the court and should only improve with a full offseason to gel. Let’s not overlook the contributions rising junior
Chris GambleChrisGamble6'1" | PGSidwell Friends | 2022StateMD has added to this team as well. Gamble’s ability to guard multiple positions and score in timely situations are underrated.
6.
Shane LancasterShaneLancaster6'2" | CGSt. John's | 2022StateMD and
Malik MackMalikMack5'10" | PGSt. John’s | 2023StateMD | St. John’s (DC)
Rising sophomore
Malik MackMalikMack5'10" | PGSt. John’s | 2023StateMD impressed with his ability to run a team throughout his freshman campaign. He and rising junior
Shane LancasterShaneLancaster6'2" | CGSt. John's | 2022StateMD, who provides three-level scoring and solid defense, are expected to take a leap in terms of minutes and production next year.
5.
Bez MbengBezMbeng6'3" | CGGood Counsel | 2021State#122NationMD and
Antoine JacksAntoineJacks5'10" | PGGood Counsel | 2021StateMD | Good Counsel (MD)
Rising senior
Bez MbengBezMbeng6'3" | CGGood Counsel | 2021State#122NationMD, a returning All-WCAC First Teamer, broke out this past season for a Good Counsel team that might have surprised some folks. Equally as impressive was the emergence of his classmate, Antione Jacks, who put the area on notice by holding his own against the top guards in this area each time he stepped on the floor last season.
4.
Cole HaninColeHanin5'10" | PGBullis | 2021StateMD and
Erik ReynoldsErikReynolds6'2" | CGBullis | 2021State#89NationMD | Bullis (MD)
Rising seniors
Cole HaninColeHanin5'10" | PGBullis | 2021StateMD and
Erik ReynoldsErikReynolds6'2" | CGBullis | 2021State#89NationMD have been at it for 3+ years now, and they continue to improve over time. Rising sophomore
Zane AdnanZaneAdnan6'2" | CGBullis | 2023StateMD exceeded expectations during his freshman season and is expected to take another leap as well.
3.
Elijah HawkinsElijahHawkins5'9" | PGDeMatha | 2021StateMD and
Rodney RiceRodneyRice6'3" | CGDeMatha | 2022State#49NationMD | DeMatha (MD)
Rising senior
Elijah HawkinsElijahHawkins5'9" | PGDeMatha | 2021StateMD took a stranglehold on the starting lead guard position at DeMatha this past season with stellar play on both ends of the floor. The addition of
Rodney RiceRodneyRice6'3" | CGDeMatha | 2022State#49NationMD, a rising junior who is one of the best scorers you’ll find, made headlines this offseason and is expected to be a significant one. Let’s not ignore
Jacoi HutchinsonJacoiHutchinson6'1" | SGDeMatha | 2023State#124NationMD, a rising sophomore who put together a series of solid performances during his promising freshman campaign, who is also expected to factor into the rotation once again.
2.
Devin DinkinsDevinDinkins5'9" | PGGonzaga | 2022StateMD and
Judah MintzJudahMintz6'4" | SGGonzaga | 2022State#68NationMD | Gonzaga (DC)
Rising juniors
Devin DinkinsDevinDinkins5'9" | PGGonzaga | 2022StateMD and
Judah MintzJudahMintz6'4" | SGGonzaga | 2022State#68NationMD are a truly dynamic duo who will be fully unleashed once and for all next season. These two have waited in the wings for two years, but have gained valuable experience in the meantime. Expect these two to step up in a big way for the perennially powerful Purple Eagles.
1.
Trevor KeelsTrevorKeels6'4" | SGPaul VI | 2021State#17NationVA and
Knasir McDanielKnasirMcDaniel5'9" | PGPaul VI | 2022State#156NationVA | Paul VI (VA)
Rising senior
Trevor KeelsTrevorKeels6'4" | SGPaul VI | 2021State#17NationVA, a consensus Five Star recruit, is finally getting the national recognition he deserves. This comes to no surprise as his body of work speaks for itself. Rising junior Knasir "Dug" McDaniel, considered the most gifted passer in the area, will partner alongside Keels once again and form an exciting backcourt tandem that will be extremely fun to watch.
Honorable Mention (Listed Alphabetically By School)
Paul LewisPaulLewis6'1" | PGBishop O'Connell | 2022StateVA and
Mason SoMasonSo6'0" | CGBishop O'Connell | 2023VA | Bishop O’Connell (VA)
Jalen MillerJalenMiller6'2" | PGBishop Walsh | 2021State#202NationMD and
Jordan RayfordJordanRayford6'5" | CGBishop Walsh | 2021StateMD | Bishop Walsh (MD)
Jayden Harris and Shamar Sisco | Christ Chapel (VA)
Amare CurtisAmareCurtis5'9" | PGSpringbrook | 2022StateMD and
Kyle GaskinsKyleGaskins5'11" | CGCoolidge | 2022StateMD | Coolidge (DC)
Ifanieye LewisIfanieyeLewis5'10" | PGEleanor Roosevelt | 2022StateMD and
James RiceJamesRice5'11" | CGEleanor Roosevelt | 2022MD | Eleanor Roosevelt (MD)
Jamiyl Kirkland Jr.JamiylKirkland Jr.6'2" | CGFriendship Tech | 2021StateMD and
DeJuan McMillanDeJuanMcMillan6'0" | CGFriendship Tech | 2021StateMD | Friendship Tech (DC)
Bryce SewellBryceSewell5'9" | PGGeorgetown Prep | 2022StateMD and
AJ ThomasAJThomas6'3" | SGGeorgetown Prep | 2022StateMD | Georgetown Prep (MD)
Mike GrayMikeGray5'9" | CGLandon | 2022StateMD and
Kino Lilly Jr.KinoLilly Jr.6'0" | CGLandon | 2021StateMD | Landon (MD)
Rashid AbuduRashidAbudu6'0" | CGMagruder | 2021StateMD and
Mike MyrieMikeMyrie6'2" | CGMagruder | 2021StateMD | Magruder (MD)
Kordell LewisKordellLewis5'10" | PGRichard Montgomery | 2021StateMD and
Jabril RobinsonJabrilRobinson6'1" | CGRichard Montgomery | 2021StateMD | Richard Montgomery (MD)
Chace DavisChaceDavis6'2" | CGSt. Andrew's | 2021StateMD and
Dylan EdwardsDylanEdwards6'1" | CGSt. Andrew's | 2021StateMD | St. Andrew’s (MD)
Garrett BrennanGarrettBrennan6'2" | SGSt. Stephen's St. Agnes | 2022StateVA and
Devin CeaserDevinCeaser6'0" | CGSt. Mary's Ryken | 2022VA | St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes (VA)
Mark AikenMarkAiken5'10" | CGThurgood Marshall | 2021StateMD and
Michael AikenMichaelAiken5'9" | PGThurgood Marshall | 2021StateMD | Thurgood Marshall (DC)
Daemond FordDaemondFord6'2" | CGWise | 2021StateMD and
Trey ThomasTreyThomas6'2" | PGWise | 2022State#200NationMD | Wise (MD)
