March Madness: The Best Shooting Guards in College Basketball

Joel Piton
46 minutes ago
8 min read

by Joel Piton

Sportz Nation - 3/17/26

It's that time. March Madness is gearing up, and we've got a lofty list of combo guards ready to sway fans and analysts alike. From elite shot creators to lockdown perimeter defenders, the two-guard spot is stacked this year with talent capable of swinging games in a nanosecond. Headlining the group is phenom Darryn Peterson, whose scoring ability, confidence, and NBA-ready offensive arsenal have scouts ready to take him first overall. But Peterson isn't the only standout. Across the country, a number of dynamic shooting guards are putting together great campaigns and positioning themselves as players to this month. With the NCAA Tournament here, and NBA front offices evaluating every possession, these are the ten shooting guards ready to elevate their stock in a major way. I'd keep an eye on this group.

Alijah Arenas — USC (Fr.)

Height: 6'6"

Age: 18

Player Comp: Devin Booker

Draft Projection: 1st Round

2025-26 Stats: 14.1 PPG · 2.9 RPG · 2.1 APG · 34.1% FG

Although his collegiate career has likely just wrapped, you have to commend this kid. A swiss army knife that beat the odds and then some, Alijah Arenas' rise to stardom has been fun to watch. Arenas is a natural born scorer who can pick apart your best defender in a nanosecond. With length and timing, he has the ideal frame for a modern NBA wing initiator. With a long, complex scoring bag, this is a guy who can get you a bucket when you need one at pivotal moments. His defense can be a little shaky at times and sometimes he'll succumb to size-disadvantages to let someone else pick up, but this kid is lanky and has the build to guard multiple positions at 6'6". If he can apply pressure to defenses I think he remains a projected lottery pick.

Brayden Burries — Arizona (Fr.)

Height: 6'4"

Age: 20

Player Comp: Jamal Murray

Draft Projection: Lottery Pick

2025-26 Stats: 15.9 PPG · 4.7 RPG · 2.5 APG · 49.2% FG

Braydon Burries has had no issue standing out on a stacked Arizona Wildcats roster. After a slow start that had me question his potential, Burries became the primary engine for a Wildcats team that swept the Big 12 regular season. These kids are 32-2 and Burries is a big reason why. Burries is one of the most consistent scorers in college basketball, with shooting splits at around 50-38-80 for the season. He's a high-octane shooter with insane shot IQ, and he comes in the package of a microwave scorer with basically no fatigue on the basketball court whatsoever. Burries is also menacing defender, using his stocky, 6'4" frame to disrupt passing lanes and close out on shots. Burries lack of bounce and athleticism shouldn't hurt his draft stock for all the good things he does, but you'd like to see him play with a little more of an offensive motor. Still, I think he remains a lottery pick based off of the Wildcats greatness alone.

Braylon Mullins — UConn (Fr.)

Height: 6'6"

Age: 19

Player Comp: Austin Reaves

Draft Projection: 1st Round

2025-26 Stats: 12.0 PPG · 3.5 RPG · 1.4 APG · 43.5% FG

UConn star Braylon Mullins has been a big piece of the puzzle that has kept the Huskies so dominant this season. Despite missing the first month of the season due to an ankle injury, Mullins didn't really miss a step getting inserted into the starting lineup almost immediately, securing UConn a 29-5 record as March Madness favorites. Mullins is widely considered the best off-ball shooter in the upcoming draft, and it really isn't close. This is a phenomenal shooter with Klay Thompson textbook mechanics who you can't afford to leave open at any moment. This kid seemingly also steps up in marquee moments and doesn't shy away from tough teams. And unlike the majority of gifted shooters, Mullins is determined to prove that isn't all he can do—showcasing premier defensive chops and budding rebounding instincts. This is a guy every NBA team wants in the corner.

Darryn Peterson — Kansas (Fr.)

Height: 6'6"

Age: 19

Player Comp: Brandon Roy

Draft Projection: Top 3

2025-26 Stats: 19.8 PPG · 4.4 RPG · 1.7 APG · 44.2% FG

Darryn Peterson entered his freshman season at Kansas as the premier candidate for the No. 1 overall pick in 2026. While his college career has been polarizing, there's still no doubt that we could be looking at a future NBA-superstar. With quite possibly the most elite-scoring bag we've seen at the collegiate level in the 2020s, Peterson is a three-level-monster, capable of scoring in a myriad of ways, whether it's bullying weaker guards to the basket with his lanky 6'6" frame, shooting over the other team's best defender from mid-range, or punishing you with quick trigger threes. At 205 lbs with nearly a 6'11" wingspan, this is a physically imposing guard you'd have nightmares trying to defend. This kid reads defenses better than just about any prospect in the draft and could end up being an all-time-great. You'd like to see him share the ball more, however.

Emanuel Sharp — Houston (Sr.)

Height: 6'3"

Age: 22

Player Comp: Donovan Mitchell

Draft Projection: Late 2nd Round

2025-26 Stats: 15.3 PPG · 2.9 RPG · 1.8 APG · 40.3% FG

Emanuel Sharp has been delivering for the Cougars for years and is a true success story of what four-years in one program will do for you. A senior guard with extensive tournament experience, Sharp's scoring intensity and leadership make him an NBA ready prospect I see converting at the next level. You have to stay glued to this guy, because he's fast as all hell and can beat you off screens in a nanosecond. You'd like to see the shooting percentages go up, but for everything he does you kind of have to look past it. This guy is a perimeter lockdown, guarding forwards at 6'3" with no hesitation or fear. He defines "Houston grit" and his application of heavy-ball pressure hint at a relentless defender. With the basketball IQ to take Houston to the promised land, there's no doubt this kid gets picked up by a team this summer.

John Blackwell — Wisconsin (Jr.)

Height: 6'4"

Age: 21

Player Comp: Ochai Agbaji

Draft Projection: 2nd Round

2025-26 Stats: 19.0 PPG · 4.9 RPG · 2.3 APG · 42.7% FG

Blackwell isn't one of the biggest names yet, but he's strongly establishing himself as one of the most elite, methodical scorers in the NCAA right now, carrying the Badgers to a 24-10 record. The streaky guard took an NBA caliber leap this season, averaging over 18 points a night and earning All-Big Ten honors while becoming the Badgers’ go-to offensive option. Listed at 6'3" barefoot but with a 6'7" wingspan, Blackwell is a two-way dagger who can disrupt passing lanes as well as score. A bucket-getter of the highest pedigree, Blackwell scorers in bunches—mid-range pull ups, stepback threes, and his favorite: long floaters at the basket. Unlike "twitchy" scorers, Blackwell takes good shots and at the right times. He isn't considered much of a high-flyer by any means, but if you look at his game, he doesn't need to be.

Keaton Wagler — Illinois (Fr.)

Height: 6'6"

Age: 19

Player Comp: Max Christie

Draft Projection: 1st Round

2025-26 Stats: 17.9 PPG · 4.8 RPG · 4.4 APG · 44.6% FG

An oversized combo-guard, Wagler was dubbed the Big Ten Freshman of the Year, and for good reason. Keaton shocked fans and analysts alike after dropping 46 points earlier this year, but I promise you, Wagler has always had a score-first mentality. Wagler shoots 40% from deep with a high-arching rainbow jumper that looks textbook. He's an expert shooting off screens and always seems to find windows for shot opportunities in the defense. Wagler is applicable at the point-guard position as well because of the gravity of his playmaking, functioning as a secondary initiator for the Illinis with 4 assists a night. With a thin-wiry frame, Wagler will likely have to get his body strength up, but once he does that, he could end up being a three-level monster.

Meleek Thomas — Arkansas (Fr.)

Height: 6'5"

Age: 19

Player Comp: Shaedon Sharpe

Draft Projection: Late 1st Round

2025-26 Stats: 15.4 PPG · 3.8 RPG · 2.5 APG · 42.7% FG

Meleek Thomas is a juggernaut who never seems to shy away from the moment. His draft stock has taken a significant surge and for good reason, after being relatively unknown this time last year. Thomas is a certified sniper and one of the most efficient guards in college basketball, shooting 42% from beyond the arc. It's an unorthodox shot, but it goes in with ease. He's a shift guard with a tight handle and he can create space against just about any defender. This is a rare prospect who somehow looks more comfortable taking off-balance shots. The harder the bucket is, the more at home Thomas looks. And unlike many high-volume freshman scorers, Thomas actually competes on the defensive end. His combination of size and scoring make him a safe bet for the first round.

Otega Oweh — Kentucky (Sr.)

Height: 6'4"

Age: 22

Player Comp: Cason Wallace

Draft Projection: 2nd Round

2025-26 Stats: 18.2 PPG · 4.6 RPG · 2.6 APG · 46.3% FG

A streaky good scorer with insane defensive instincts, Otega could be the next guard in a long line of historic Kentucky prospects. Otega loves to finish at the rim and can do it over just about anyone with blinding speed. He's a physical two-way guard who can play on or off the ball and has been boosting his visibility as a 3-D sniper. Boasting a thick, NFL adjacent frame (much like his brother who plays for the Washington Commanders), he's a physical, one-man fast break who excels at stocks, attacks the basket and does dirty work. I can see a lot of teams wanting him in June.

Ryan Conwell — Louisville (Sr.)

Height: 6'4"

Age: 21

Player Comp: Randy Foye

Draft Projection: 2nd Round

2025-26 Stats: 18.7 PPG · 4.8 RPG · 2.5 APG · 40.7% FG

Ryan Conwell has emerged as one of the most reliable floor-spacing guards in college basketball. This is a guy you can't afford to leave open at any period whatsoever. Leading a durable Louisville charge in scoring (just slightly over phenom Mikel Brown Jr.), Conwell is an elite shotmaker with a lethal quick release that you really can't contest. He takes tough shots (hence the field goal percentage) but he also makes these tough shots as well, mid-range pull ups, long range threes—you name it. He won't dazzle you with his handles and doesn't have the craziest bag, but he's taking the necessary steps to create separation. This a three-level-scorer that will pay huge dividends for Louisville this month.

Some of these guys are on borrowed time since the NCAA tournament is just about underway. I think everyone on this list has already put down a lasting impression, and clearly, the NBA sees it too. This year’s class of shooting guards is loaded with talent, and any one of these players could be the next name ready to take the big jump to the next level after the tournament ends. Which of these shooting guards are you rooting for to make a deep run this month? Who do you believe has the game to dominate not just in college, but eventually at the NBA level as well?

Check out our breakdown of small forwards, power forwards and centers here!

Get ready for it, NCAA March Madness tips off Sunday, March 15th at 1 PM (ET) 🚨 Can't keep up with the games? Be sure to stay tuned into Sportz Nation for your sports updates on all things basketball.

Thanks for reading!

-Joel Piton

(@jpiton7)