Arkansas' best high school boys basketball players: Meet the state's top shooting guards
By Kyle Sutherland I Photo by Jimmy Jones
With the high school basketball season wrapping up, SBLive is looking at the best boys players in Arkansas. Today, we feature the top shooting guards for all classes. This is not meant to be a comprehensive list as there are hundreds of great basketball players in the state.
Important note on position: In today’s position-less era of basketball, it is very rare that teams list one starter at all five positions, and many players are fully interchangeable across positions. For example, depending on game or matchup situations, an athlete might play the 1 or 2 guard spots, possibly a guard/forward role as a wing, or some have the talent to play all of the 1-5 positions. Please use the comments section to discuss other standout players in Arkansas that you want to nominate.
Soon, you will have a chance to vote on who you think is the top boys shooting guard in the state.
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Kylan Baker | Brinkley | 6-0 | JR
Baker has been on a tear his junior season averaging 19.5 points per game for the Tigers, who have been one of the best teams in Class 1A this year. He has led a very consistent, and young, backcourt that has been a major part of Brinkley’s success.
Landren Blocker | Little Rock Christian | 6-4 | SO
Blocker is a very athletic forward that can also play guard at a high level. The Warriors have struggled in conference play, but he has shined averaging 10.9 points and 6 rebounds per game along with 1.6 steals.
“His outside shot will continue to improve with him taking game-type situational shots in practice,” LRCA head coach Clarence Finley said. “He will develop as one of our better defenders if we get him defending instead of stealing, but he is athletic enough to guard some of the better players in our league.”
Annor Boateng | LR Central | 6-5 | SO
Boateng can play any position on the floor at a high level and can defend them just as well. He burst onto the scene last season earning his first offer from Arkansas-Pine Bluff followed by Arkansas, Mississippi State, and Auburn. He is averaging just shy of a double-double with 17 points and 8.5 rebounds.
“No question Annor is the No 1 sophomore in the state, it is not even close,” Central head coach Brian Ross said. “He’s carrying a team as the best player on both ends of the floor and has played major minutes for a state finals team last season as a freshman.”
Tre Brooks | Jacksonville | 6-4 | SO
The Titans have had some growing pains with a young team this year, but overall have been competitive in the rugged 5A-Central. Brooks has been one of the young players who have really stepped up with his overall game scoring 9 points and grabbing five rebounds a game. The potential is through the roof, he just needs to continue to work on his ball handling and decision making.
Riley Bucchino | Bentonville West | 6-3 | SR
A guy who has played a lot of basketball for West, Buccino is what West head coach Greg White calls a true leader. He eclipsed 1,000 points in his career and is the school’s all-time leading scorer.
“Riley’s best quality is that he makes everyone around him better,” White said. “When you get to coach a Riley Bucchino, you enjoy every second of it.”
Khamani Cooper | Watson Chapel | 6-3 | JR
A member of MOKAN Elite 17U, Cooper has averaged 15.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3 assists this year for the Wildcats. He has eclipsed 20 points multiple times this season including 22 against No 3 Magnolia, 25 against Hamburg, and a 32-point game against Stuttgart.
“Khamani has gotten more comfortable handling the basketball this year,” Wildcats head coach Marcus Adams said. “We can put him at [point guard] where he has become a playmaker and is able to read the defense with his vision and size.”
Courtney Crutchfield | Pine Bluff | SO
Crutchfield excels at both football and basketball, but things have gone very well on the court for him too thus far averaging 23.4 points per game and a key reason the Zebras have gelled in conference play.
“This kid simply knows how to get buckets,” Zebras Coach Billy Dixon said. “Deceptive quickness, wicked first-step, and scores the ball on all three levels.”
Jaylon Ento | Mills | 6-2 | SO
Ento has battled injuries this season and returned to the court at the beginning of conference play. He has been a tireless worker on both ends of the court averaging 16 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 steals a game while shooting 60% from the field.
“Jaylon plays hard on both ends of the court,” Comets assistant coach David White said. “He’s still learning our system and this time next year he will be one of the best in the state hands down.”
Derrian Ford | Magnolia | 6-3 | SR
Ford is the nation’s 57th overall player for 2022 per the 247 Sports composite rankings and he has continued to impress every time he is on the court. The Razorback signee helped Magnolia to an undefeated record so far this year and hopes to finish this season with a state championship after falling in the semifinals last season.
“A coach’s dream is one way to put it, and there are not enough boxes on the sheet to check for him,” Panthers head coach Ben Lindsey said. “Until you have coached him, you really don’t understand.”
Jayden Forrest | Marion | 6-0 | JR
Forrest is a 4-star recruit per ESPN as the No. 1 shooting guard in the state for the class of 2023. He was tabbed all-tournament in multiple tournaments during non-conference play and put up 15 points per game during the Route 13 Christmas Tournament at the end of 2021. Along with being a force on the court, he is studious in the classroom boasting a 3.89 GPA.
Tyler Frederick | North Little Rock | 6-4 | JR
Frederick is one of the overshadowed players on a historically talented North Little Rock team, but stepped up big against Fort Smith Northside scoring 21 points (three 3-pointers) in the absence of injured Nick Smith Jr. He also scored 20 against arch-rival Little Rock Central hitting six threes in a thrilling 76-74 overtime win.
Ornette Gaines | Fayetteville | 6-4 | SOPHOMORE
The Purple Dogs came into the season very young with seven sophomores on the roster. One of them being Gaines who has stepped up as a great compliment to senior leader Landon Glasper producing 16 points per game and 7 rebounds, and shoots 73% from 2-point range in conference play.
“We felt like he would be a matchup problem because he’s able to stretch the floor” head FHS head coach Brad Stamps said. “We try to put him in situations where he can initiate offense. He has the goods when it comes to that.”
Caden Griffin | Melbourne | 6-2 | SO
Described as a “bucket getter” by Melbourne head coach Scott Bowlin, Griffin has paced the Bearkatz with 18 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game. He was named the Player of the Month by Farm Bureau for the month of December.
“Caden has steadily improved his overall game and is becoming a leader on the floor,” Bowlin said. “He makes everyone better. I am very pleased with his ability to come into a new situation and adapt his game.”
Colby Garland | Maumelle | 6-1 | SR
After helping Magnolia to a 71-5 record from his freshman through junior year, Garland transferred earlier in the fall with his family and could be the final piece in the Hornets hoisting the state championship.
“This team has a chance to be really good once we get on the same page and Colby is a big part of that,” Maumelle head coach Michael Shook said. “We’re not there yet, but we don’t want to be…we want to play our best basketball in February and March.”
Gabe George | Bryant | 6-1 | SR
Boasting a 4.28 GPA, George gets the job done both on the court and in the classroom. Known as a tireless worker in the weight room, George signed with the University of Arkansas-Monticello in November.
Bryant head coach Mike Abrahamson mentioned how George was one of the crucial pieces to the team’s success. “Gabe is not just a great scorer but a great defender,” he said. “He has taken many charges this year and has a good assist/turnover ratio.”
Landon Glasper | Fayetteville | 6-1 | SR
After working his way up the rotation and averaging 18 points as a junior, Glasper was challenged this year by the coaching staff to take the next step as a leader and he has met, possibly surpassed, expectations as one of Class 6A’s top players.
“We told him coming into the year that we need him to be a leader both on and off the court,” FHS head coach Brad Stamps said. “We’re awfully young so we need him to lead these guys, and he has stepped up and done that.” Glasper broke his wrist in October missing the first few games, but he has become the rock for the Purple Dogs consistently putting up 20 points, or more, per game.
Khamani Hendrix | Mineral Springs | JR
Hendrix has been crucial to Mineral Springs’ success getting the ball in the basket as well as grabbing rebounds averaging a double-double with 10 points and 8 rebounds per game.
Richard High | Osceola | 6-3 | SO
High began this year able as well as you could as starting as a sophomore and earning the team’s November Player of the Month while also averaging 15 points per game throughout the season. He was clutch in the district championship against Rivercrest scoring 18 points and dishing out 5 assists.
Micah Hill | Rogers Heritage | 6-4 | SR
It has been a rough go for Rogers Heritage this season, but Hill has been a bright spot as one of the state’s most underrated pure shooters, but he also has a knack for driving the ball to the hoop. He has been a contributor for the War Eagles throughout his prep career scoring over 1000 points, in which he filled at the stat sheet against Fayetteville with 17 points and 8 rebounds to eclipse that mark.
Aundrae Milum | County Line | 6-2 | JR
Milum is one of four starters this season back from last year’s quarterfinal run and has been the team’s leading scorer with 17 points per game.
Terrance Nimmers | Osceola | 5-11 | JR
Osceola has been the hottest team in Class 3A in the second half of the season and Nimmers’ defensive play averaging five steals per game along with 15 points each time out have helped the Seminoles go on a late run.
Cooper Rabjohn | Rector | 5-11 | SO
Rabjohn has been a force for the Cougars this season hitting 50% from the field, and 40% from 3-point range. He has already had multiple games where he eclipsed 30 points, including a season-high 46 against rival Marmaduke and 42 recently against 41 versus Earle. He has been averaging around 20 points and 3.9 assists per game.
“Cooper is an incredible scorer with unlimited range,” Rector head coach Matt Mills said. “He’s learning how to affect the game on the defensive end and make his teammates around him better on the offensive end.”
Tommy Reddick | Dumas | 6-2 | SO
Reddick played one game for the Bobcats’ varsity squad as a freshman after an injury ended his season but has come back very strong. He has a 4.05 GPA and ranks first in his class. He has grown into one of the state’s most successful sophomores averaging 14.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.4 steals, and 2.4 assists per game.
“Tommy is extremely athletic and has good size at 6’2,” Dumas Coach Larry Harris said. “He is a three-level scorer who plays above the rim, has a mid-range jumper, and can shoot the three from just about anywhere. He defends at a high level with his size on guards and he’s athletic enough to erase attempts at the rim.”
Sam Reynolds | Wonderview | 6-4 | JR
Also a shortstop for the Daredevils’ baseball team, Reynolds is a player coaches love to have on their team. He’s averaged 20.7 points, 6.4 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.8 steals so far this year.
“There is not much that Sam cannot do on the court,” Wonderview Coach Jerod Squires said. “He’s a great teammate and is very selfless.”
Khasen Robinson | Bryant | 6-1 | SR
As the younger brother of Razorback guard KK Robinson, Khasen has been a big part of Bryant’s success this year. Robinson scored a game-high 28 points in Bryant’s 63-57 victory over county rival Benton on December 15th in the Saline County Shootout at Hornet Arena. His highlight performance of the regular season came against top-ranked North Little Rock scoring 31 points in a hard-fought loss.
“Khasen has grown so much and is one of the great scorers we have on our team this year,” Hornets head Mike Abrahamson said.
Ty Robinson | Lake Hamilton | 6-2 | SO
Robinson has been crucial to Lake Hamilton’s success since the start of the season with an alley-oop in the opening game against Mena, 27 points against Texas High, 26 points helping the Wolves win the Big Red Invitational and an All-Tournament performance in the Kameron Hale Invitational Tournament. He is averaging 18 points and 7 rebounds per game.
“Ty is a tireless worker and he spends hours in the gym and weight room daily,” Wolves head coach Scotty Pennington said. “He has a high basketball IQ and is much more athletic than he gets credit for. He can play every spot on the court 1-5.”
Hayden Shanks | Bentonville | 6-2 | SR
Shanks is a sharpshooter for the Tigers and a lockdown defender. He was named the 6A West’s defensive player of the year as a junior and also this year’s January Centennial Bank Player of the month. He is a natural shooting guard but also stepped up to run the point early in the season against a tough Marion team, a game that Bentonville won 61-59.
“Hayden is a fierce competitor,” BHS Coach Dick Rippee said. “He is having a great senior season and always defends the other team’s best perimeter player.”
Addison Shelton | Parkview | 6-0 | JR
Shelton stepped up early in the season with multiple double-digit performances playing against a national schedule in tournaments including the Red River Hoopfest, The King Cotton Classic, and Hoophall Classic. He has continued to improve throughout the season and has helped Parkview tear through the 5A Central.
“Addison has really grown as a player,” Patriots head coach Scotty Thurman said. “He does a lot of things that translate to winning-takes charges, he’s vocal, he can post smaller guards, and he rebounds well for his size.”
Demetrius Sharp | Lake Hamilton | 6-0 | SR
Sharp has been one of three in an outstanding backcourt for the Wolves this season along with fellow member on this list Ty Robinson and Zac Pennington. Outside of a three-game skid in conference play, the Wolves have been rolling with Sharp running both the ‘1’ and the ‘2’.
Grayson Sims | Russellville | 5-10 | SR
Sims shot 45% from deep with 70 makes last season and has built on that success averaging around 18 points per game this year. He recently had a massive game against Siloam Springs that gave the Cyclones a boost in the 5A-West first-place standings with a 25-point performance.
“We have been getting contributions from multiple guys, but Grayson is really one that has embraced a leadership role,” Cyclones head coach Kyle Pennington said said.
Keaton Stone | White Hall | 5-11 | JR
Stone got rolling quick this season putting up 29 points in the season opener against Searcy and continued that success in non-conference play including multiple double-digit point performances in December’s King Cotton Classic.
Nick Smith Jr | North Little Rock | 6-4 | SR
As the No. 6 senior prospect nationally in ESPN’s 2022 standings, no Arkansas prep player has ever been ranked as high as Smith. The Razorback signee showed out on the national stage this past summer playing for Brad Beal Elite and has continued that into this season against some of the nation’s best. He hit a clutch buzzer-beater to take down rival Little Rock Central 76-74 on February 1 and has averaged around 30 points per game.
Braden Tanner | Dardanelle | 6-0 | JR
Following an all-conference sophomore campaign, Tanner has built on that throughout his junior year. He posted a double-double (25 points, 10 rebounds) in late December at the Hoops 4 Hunger Classic and has continued to average double-digit points in conference play and around eight assists per game.
Trey Tippin | Sylvan Hills | 5-7 | SR
The left-handed shooter is a physical guard who will knock it down from deep with a hand in his face and will also drive the lane in traffic. His physicality gives him the opportunity to win every possession and he is also a great passer constantly dishing out assists.
Jesse Washington | Jonesboro | 5-11 | SR
Washington is the team leader for the Hurricane in just about every category and had an all-tournament performance in the Arby’s Classic earlier this year.
“He is our leading scorer and shoots the mess out of the ball,” Hurricane head coach Wes Swift said. “He is also a great rebounder and defender who takes a lot of charges.”
Deion Wesson | Jonesboro | 5-11 | JR
Wesson possesses the ability to play both guard spots averaging seven points per game and 2.5 assists and shoots 40% from three-point range.
“Deion is the best on ball defender in the state,” Hurricane head coach Wes Swift said. “He’s the best (on ball defender) I have coached in 28 years.”
