Last week we looked at some of the top returning players entering the 2022-23 Florida high school basketball season. This week we drill down and rank the state’s top 10 returning guards.
1. Jizzle James (Olympia)
While there are certainly multiple options to choose from here, James, a recent Cincinnati commit, receives the top spot on this list of top Florida high school guards in 2022-23. The four-star helped lead Olympia to a Class 7A regional semifinal appearance a year ago as a junior, averaging 25.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 2.3 steals a game in the process.
2. Chris Johnson (Montverde Academy)
Speaking of those multiple options in consideration for the No. 1 spot, Johnson is likely the leading player just behind James as we approach the 2022-23 season. Johnson, a four-star Kansas commit, transferred to Montverde Academy this offseason from Texas’ Fort Bend Elkins High School, where he averaged 19.5 ppg, 4.7 rpg, and 5 apg a year ago.
3. Marvel Allen (Montverde Academy)
One of Florida high school basketball’s biggest offseason transfers, Allen made the move to Montverde Academy after helping lead Calvary Christian to the Class 4A state title a year ago. Allen, a four-star Georgetown commit, averaged 13.8 ppg, 4 rpg, and 2.7 apg a year ago as a junior.
4. Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn (Montverde Academy)
Another player from Montverde on this list of best Florida high school guards in 2022-23, Gibbs-Lawhorn should play a key role in the Eagles backcourt this season. The 6-foot, 1-inch combo guard is rated as a four-star prospect in the 2023 class; he committed to Illinois in late September.
5. Carl Cherenfant (Calvary Christian)
A four-star prospect, Cherenfant is the biggest returning name for the aforementioned Calvary Christian team that went 26-2 to win the 4A state title a year ago. As a junior, Cherenfant averaged 11.9 ppg for the Eagles, as well as 3.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.9 steals.
6. Kris Parker (Crossroad Academy)
Parker, a four-star prospect, returns for Crossroad Academy as likely the biggest name in all of Class 1A. The four-star averaged 18.9 points a year ago for the Scorpions, as well as 7.2 rebounds and 3 assists.
7. Jaylen Curry (Calvary Christian)
An offseason transfer addition for Calvary Christian, Curry joins the Eagles from Chambers High School in North Carolina, where he averaged 16.6 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 9.1 apg, and 2.9 spg a year ago. Curry, a four-star prospect in the 2023 class, is expected to play a key role in the Eagles backcourt this season.
8. Jason Jackson (Riverview-Sarasota)
Jackson, a four-star Texas Tech commit, is the biggest name returning to what should be a talented Riverview-Sarasota team in Class 7A this season. Jackson is coming off a junior season in which he averaged 17.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 2 steals in 25 games.
9. Anthony Robinson (Florida State)
Robinson, a four-star Missouri commit, is one of the top players returning in Class 3A this season. The Seminoles’ second-leading scorer as a junior last season, Robinson averaged 15 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 2.8 steals in 30 games.
10. Tristan Gross (St. Petersburg)
While there are numerous options for the last spot on our list of top Florida high school guards entering the 2022-23 season, the pick goes to Gross, a three-star prospect from St. Petersburg. The senior played a key role in leading the Green Devils to a 25-6 record a year ago, averaging 20.6 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 2.3 apg, and 1.9 spg.
