Reebok Breakout Power Rankings: Shooting guards

MaxPreps.com's look-ahead to the 2011-12 high school basketball season continues this week with a glance at the nation's top shooting guards.

The 2-spot is a position of strength in the Class of 2012 with five-star prospects Shabazz Muhammad, Marcus Smart, Archie Goodwin, Rasheed Sulaimon and Gary Harris. Each of them play for programs expected to compete for state titles this winter.

Next week our preseason power rankings continue with a look at the small forwards. Rankings are based on team success, statistics and projected impact on the 2011-12 high school basketball season.

Shooting Guard Power Rankings

1. Shabazz Muhammad, 6-6, 205, Sr., Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nev.)
What to look for in 2011-12: The nation's top-ranked player has accomplished just about everything in his illustrious career at Bishop Gorman, but a shocking loss in last season's state playoffs should keep Muhammad motivated throughout his senior season. The Gaels will be a consensus preseason Top 10 team and anything short of a state title would be a massive disappointment.

2. Marcus Smart, 6-3, 205, Sr., Marcus (Flower Mound, Texas)
Committed to Oklahoma State
What to look for in 2011-12: With his strength, skill and determination, Smart could play four positions at the high school level and may end up a point guard at Oklahoma State. He's slotted as a shooting guard for power rankings purposes, but will do it all as Marcus looks to defend its 5A state title in one of the nation's toughest classifications.

3. Archie Goodwin, 6-5, 185, Sr., Sylvan Hills (Sherwood, Ark.)
Committed to Kentucky
What to look for in 2011-12: Goodwin is a scoring machine, pouring in 28.3 points per game as a junior for 5A state runner-up Sylvan Hills. He showed his toughness over the summer by playing through a wrist injury at the Nike Peach Jam and still finishing as one of the event's leading scorers.

4. Rasheed Sulaimon, 6-3, 185, Sr., Strake Jesuit (Houston, Texas)
Committed to Duke
What to look for in 2011-12: Sulaimon has demonstrated his ability to score throughout his time at Strake Jesuit (21.4 points per game) but it was defense that separated him from his peers on the summer circuit. The Crusaders will be playing with something to prove after going 26-4 last season but faltering early in the state playoffs.

5. Gary Harris, 6-5, 195, Sr., Hamilton Southeastern (Fishers, Ind.)
What to look for in 2011-12: Harris has a load on his shoulders right now as a star wide receiver for the 8-1 Hamilton Southeastern football team and being the center of a heated recruiting battle between Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan State and Purdue. He is expected to make his decision next month, clearing the way for a pursuit of Indiana's 4A state title after going 19-3 last winter.