Finest Magazine 26-27 DMV Preseason CBB Watchlist: Point Guards

Today’s lead guards are being asked to do a lot for their respective teams. They have to create, score, defend, make decisions under pressure and, perhaps most importantly, give their teams a steady presence when the game gets tight.

The Finest Magazine Point Guard Watchlist features a mix of experienced veterans, emerging sophomores and juniors, and one of the nation’s most highly regarded freshmen. Some are returning to programs where they already have an established role, while others are stepping into new situations where their responsibilities will increase significantly.

Here are the guards you should keep a close eye on this season.

(Players are chosen based on being DMV area natives and/or are playing at a local college program in the DMV.)

Rowan Brumbaugh — SMU | 6'4", 185 | Graduate Student

Brumbaugh has taken the long road through college basketball. After redshirting at Texas to begin his career and spending a season at Georgetown, he found his footing at Tulane, earning American Athletic Conference First Team honors as a senior.

The 6-foot-4 guard averaged 19.2 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game while shooting 36.0% from three, finishing his Tulane career with 1,417 points.

Brumbaugh is a crafty scoring floor general who can make plays from all three levels. He has the ability to create his own shot, get downhill and make plays for teammates, while also providing an above-average defensive presence. At SMU, he'll be asked to bring experience and stability to the backcourt while helping fill the void left by Boopie Miller.

Derek Dixon — Arizona | 6'5", 205 | Sophomore

Dixon enters his sophomore season with a chance to take a significant step forward. At 6-foot-5 and 205 pounds, he already has the physical profile of a guard who can play either backcourt position.

As a freshman, Dixon averaged 6.5 points, 2.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 22.3 minutes per game, while shooting 32.7% from three and 81.8% from the free-throw line.

What stands out is his decision-making. Dixon plays with good instincts, takes care of the basketball and has the shooting ability to keep defenses honest. With Arizona needing to replace the production and late-game presence of Jaden Bradley, Dixon should have an opportunity to take on a much larger role.

If the game slows down for him and his shooting efficiency takes another step forward, Dixon has a chance to make a major leap and establish himself as one of the better young guards in the country.

Cam Gillus — Howard | 5'11", 180 | Senior

Gillus was one of the most dependable floor generals in the MEAC last season, and his value went well beyond the box score.

He averaged 10.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.7 assists while shooting 39.5% from three, starting every game and taking on an even larger workload as the season progressed.

Gillus showed just how much he could impact a game when he recorded only the second triple-double in Howard program history on March 2 against Coppin State, finishing with 12 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists. He also recorded all three of his 20-point performances during March.

What makes Gillus valuable is his versatility. He has been willing to fill whatever role Howard needs on a given night. Whether that's scoring, facilitating, rebounding or simply making the right play, Gillus has consistently found ways to impact winning.

With another season of experience under his belt, the veteran point guard should once again be a major piece of Howard's pursuit of another MEAC championship.

Acaden Lewis — Miami | 6'2", 180 | Sophomore

Lewis enters Miami with plenty of momentum after a productive freshman season at Villanova.

He averaged 12.2 points, 3.0 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.9 steals per game, while playing more than 30 minutes a night. He also set Villanova freshman records for assists with 176 and steals with 76.

Lewis' game is built around creativity. He's quick, handles the ball well and has the ability to create opportunities for himself and others. He scored in double figures 20 times last season and produced seven games of 20 or more points.

His next challenge is becoming more consistent as a shooter. Lewis shot 27.0% from three and 58.3% from the free-throw line as a freshman. If those numbers improve, his combination of playmaking, ball pressure and scoring ability could make him one of the more difficult guards in the ACC to deal with.

Ben Hammond — Virginia Tech | 5'11", 170 | Junior

Hammond has always been recognized for his ball-handling and passing ability. Last season, however, he showed that he could be much more than a traditional pass-first point guard.

He averaged 13.2 points, 2.3 rebounds and 3.2 assists while shooting 43.1% from three, becoming a much more complete offensive player in the process.

Hammond can get downhill, pull up in the midrange, knock down shots from deep and attack in transition. His quickness, speed and ability to change directions consistently put defenders on their heels.

He was particularly productive in ACC play, leading Virginia Tech with a 14.9-point scoring average in conference games. That included a 30-point performance against rival Virginia in a triple-overtime thriller.

The next step is simple: turn individual production into team success. Hammond has already shown he can score at a high level. Now he'll be looking to help push the Hokies toward the top of the ACC.

Nyk Lewis — VCU | 6'1", 195 | Sophomore

Lewis made an immediate impression as the A-10 Rookie of the Year, taking on a significant role for VCU and showing flashes of just how much he can impact a game on both ends.

He averaged 8.7 points and 4.5 rebounds per game while shooting 36.2% from three, but his value wasn't limited to scoring. Lewis also averaged 1.1 steals and consistently showed the ability to make plays defensively.

After going through a midseason lull during conference play, Lewis finished the year with a strong push. He posted 17 points and 11 rebounds against Dayton in the A-10 championship game, then followed it up with 16 points, seven rebounds and three steals against North Carolina in the NCAA Tournament.

Unfortunately, his freshman season ended with a serious right ankle injury against Illinois in the NCAA Tournament that required surgery. Lewis has since been cleared for all basketball activities.

Once he gets fully back into rhythm, the sophomore guard should have an opportunity to compete for A-10 honors. His ability to contribute on both ends makes him one of the more intriguing young guards in the conference.

Malik Mack — Providence | 6'2", 175 | Senior

Mack's move to Providence keeps him in the Big East after spending the previous two seasons at Georgetown, where he averaged 13.6 points, 3.0 rebounds and 4.1 assists while shooting 81.8% from the free-throw line.

The veteran guard has experience running an offense and has shown the ability to score from all three levels while creating opportunities for teammates. At Georgetown, he was primarily the team's lead ball handler. Providence could offer a somewhat different challenge.

Mack is likely to spend more time playing off the ball, which will put an even greater emphasis on his shooting efficiency, decision-making and ability to impact possessions without dominating the basketball.

That could ultimately make him an even more complete player. With his experience, basketball IQ and scoring and playmaking ability, Mack has the opportunity to put together one of the strongest all-around seasons of his college career.

Chance Mallory — Virginia | 5'10", 186 | Sophomore

Mallory spent his freshman season coming off the bench, primarily directing Virginia's second unit. He made the most of those opportunities, scoring in double figures 20 times in 36 games.

He also ranked second in the ACC in assist-to-turnover ratio at 3.0-to-1, eighth in steals at 1.6 per game, 15th in assists and 17th in free-throw percentage.

Now, the job changes.

Mallory is expected to step into the starting point guard role, which means he'll have the responsibility of setting the tone from the opening tip rather than coming in to stabilize the second unit.

That's a different challenge, but Mallory has already shown the decision-making and efficiency needed to handle a significant role. If he carries that same efficiency into a larger workload, don't be surprised to see his name come up among the ACC's top floor generals.

Rodney Rice — USC | 6'5", 199 | Senior

When healthy, Rice has shown that he can be one of the most dangerous offensive guards in the country.

He averaged 20.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 6.0 assists in 34.0 minutes per game, while shooting 38.5% from three before suffering a severe shoulder injury during the Maui semifinals against Seton Hall. The injury eventually required season-ending surgery in December.

Rice spent the offseason working through noncontact drills, with USC head coach Eric Musselman expecting him to be fully cleared for preseason practices.

The transition from Maryland, where he primarily played off the ball, to becoming a primary floor general showed another side of his game. Rice has always been capable of scoring, but his passing, leadership and overall feel allow him to impact a game in multiple ways.

The biggest question is simply health.

If Rice returns to his previous form and stays on the floor, he gives USC a veteran lead guard capable of carrying an offense for stretches. Pairing him with talented sophomore Alijah Arenas could give the Trojans one of the more intriguing backcourts in the country.

Jordan Smith — Arkansas | 6'2", 205 | Freshman

Smith is one of the most highly regarded freshmen on this year's watchlist and the latest elite guard to join John Calipari at Arkansas.

Ranked No. 2 overall in ESPN's 2026 high school class, Smith arrives with the type of versatility that has already put him on the radar for the 2027 NBA Draft.

At 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds, Smith has the strength and athleticism to play multiple positions while defending several spots. His defensive versatility may ultimately be one of his biggest calling cards. He can pressure the ball, use his strength to fight through physical matchups and turn defensive plays into transition opportunities.

Offensively, his downhill speed allows him to attack the rim and put pressure on defenses before they can get set. He also brings a competitive edge that should translate immediately.

The next step is becoming a more consistent three-point shooter. If Smith can improve his perimeter efficiency while maintaining the defensive intensity and versatility that already define his game, his overall ceiling becomes even more intriguing.

For Arkansas, he'll be another young guard with the opportunity to continue a long line of high-level backcourt talent under Calipari.

My Final Take

There isn't one type of point guard represented on this year's Finest Magazine Watchlist. That's what makes the group interesting.

Brumbaugh and Mack bring veteran experience and proven scoring. Gillus brings leadership and versatility. Hammond, Rice and Lewis have the ability to create offense while impacting the game in multiple ways. Dixon and Mallory are entering seasons where their responsibilities could increase significantly, while Acaden Lewis and Nyk Lewis represent young guards with plenty of room to grow.

And then there's Jordan Smith, whose combination of size, athleticism, defensive versatility and downhill ability gives him a completely different profile.

For all of them, the challenge is the same: turn individual talent into consistent impact. That's what we'll be watching closely throughout the season.

Cardell Dudley Jr. Founder, Finest Magazine & The Focus Sports Show

Independent NBA Scouting Consultant | NBA FBOS Alum