2027 class: Which prospects could make a jump?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's early for the 2027 class, but there are promising prospects in it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Briarcrest's point guard <strong>Greg</strong> <strong>Spight</strong> is a prospect to watch out for over the course of the spring and summer leading up to his sophomore season. He has the opportunity to show he's capable of being a scorer, while also running an offense. It's a tandem Spight will need to display to silence some viewers who may view him as one dimensional.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>But, let's take a look at four other prospects in the class that could possibly make a leap in the next update:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>AJ</strong> <strong>Polk</strong>, Power Center Academy/[program_tooltip program_id='2078772' first='Team' last='Thad'] 15U: Out the gate, Polk, at No. 17, showed how well of an on-ball defender he is. The 5-foot-11 guard loves to defend and wants to wear down the offensive player after a string of tough possessions. Polk, who averaged 10.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.7 steals per game, can make a name for himself in the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League this spring and summer, if he's solid on both ends of the court. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dylan</strong> <strong>Jones</strong>, Bartlett/[program_tooltip program_id='2078772' first='Team' last='Thad'] 15U: Jones has upside. He's a 6-5 shooting guard that didn't have a huge freshman season. Jones, at No. 31, started at Memphis East before transferring to Bartlett. He has good length. Jones is a respectable shooter. Improving as a ball handler and excelling on the defensive end will make Jones a household name in this class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Antonio</strong> <strong>McGaughey</strong>, FACS/WACG: There's plenty of length in this class, and McGaughey adds to it. He's a 6-6 guard with high upside. In a small sample size for the Crusaders, McGaughey, at No. 25, showed he can finish well around the rim and make shots from the perimeter. He's not even close to a finished product, but McGaughey's growth, and the idea of what he could possibly be, will be interesting to follow.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hunter</strong> <strong>Malena</strong>, Fayette Ware: I only saw the 5-10 guard in the preseason leading up to the 2023 season. Malena, at No. 50, has value. He can make shots. Because of the guards that were in front of him this past season ([player_tooltip player_id='1321569' first='Tacarien' last='Freeman'], [player_tooltip player_id='1676952' first='Eric' last='Jones'], [player_tooltip player_id='2283267' first='Elijah' last='Lowe'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2089495' first='Jeremiah' last='Hayes']), Malena's varsity time was non-existent. So, reps on the AAU scene in the spring and summer will only boast his confidence heading into a promising sophomore season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->