2027 Rankings Update: Top Small Forwards

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our 2027 Rankings Update continues as we profile the Small Forwards from this class. Make sure you check out our positional breakdowns of the point guards and shooting guards from this class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/position-ranking-table {"name":"acf/position-ranking-table","data":{"class":"2027","_class":"field_65cfb7374abb9","position":"77247","_position":"field_65cfbfcb19ad6","national_rankings":"0","_national_rankings":"field_660c1d73c0e49","state":"101","_state":"field_65cfb88a603fe"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6628219d10e6a"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Top Ranked Players</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2140535"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Our top ranked overall prospect in the 2027 class, it was very tight between the top 3 players as all had strong cases. We went with Mack-Russell, who is the biggest positionally standing already at 6'5 on the wing. With his size, Mack-Russell can rebound and score off cuts to the paint. A big time shooter on the wing, Mack-Russell had some huge outbursts knocking down shots off the catch for Toledo Central Catholic this season. Also capable of creating his own shot off the dribble, Mack-Russell has a ton of upside as a scorer. Combine that with length defensively and the body to continue to develop as an athlete and it's easy to see why he starts our 2027 rankings at the top.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["2125729"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"A prospect who had to wait his turn as a freshman, Monroe is a player I expect to burst onto the scene as a Sophomore. We saw Monroe at our freshman showcase and he showed a well-rounded game. A solid athlete, Monroe had a quick first step and good coordination and body for his height. Able to knock down shots from the corner off the catch and attack a closeout, Monroe looks the part offensively. Hope to catch Monroe with Indy Heat and then with his high school program in June to see how far he's come since our last in-person scout in the fall.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1761782"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Riccardo played a complimentary role for an Ursuline squad that made it to the final four in Division II. Another wing who looks the part physically, Riccardo moves well defensively for his size and is stronger than most freshman. Combine that with his ability to crash the glass and Riccardo can do a lot of things that impact winning without needing to score the basketball. I expect the offensive game to come eventually as Riccardo flashes the ability to handle the ball and create for himself right now. We'll be paying close attention to Ursuline's 2027 class that has already made a splash in the Youngstown high school basketball scene.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["2125740"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"One of the top players on the [program_tooltip program_id='2075761' first='Ohio' last='Buckets'] 15 U EYCL group, Stumpf had a big showing against Wildcat Select 3SSB with 27 points and four 3-pointers. Another player who attended our freshman showcase, Stumpf shot the ball at a high level from the perimeter at that event as well. For Big Walnut as a freshman, Stumpf got experience coming off the bench and using his size to defend and rebound, combined with his floor spacing ability. Excited for the future of the Big Walnut program with a lot of talent in the 2025-2027 class returning and Stumpf might just be the best of the bunch when it's all said and done.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":4,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66282ddd4ce59"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Notable Watchlist Players</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2294839"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Harvest Prep were another team that ended up making it to the final four this season and Pollard was a nice complimentary piece with some standout performances this season. A solid shooter with his feet set, Pollard played well off the more experienced Harvest Prep back-court and cashed in on opportunities created by them. Want to see how well Pollard can develop his ball handling ability in the coming years, this along with his growth will really determine his future upside. I already like what he brings as a 3-and-D wing.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["2125732"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"I got one opportunity to scout Indian Lake this season and it just so happened to be a season high 22 points for Reisinger. It was easy to see the physicality by Reisinger as he averaged 6 rebounds a game standing at 6'3 as a freshman. Those numbers and what I saw in person tell me Reisinger is an excellent rebounder for his height. Able to score over shorter and weaker players in the paint, Reisinger's body is more developed than most freshman at this stage. A big swing skill will be how well he shoots the ball from 3-point range, Reisinger knocked down two 3-pointers in just three games last season. Having the confidence to knock down shots off the catch is key for his development. With the two leading scorers for Indian Lake graduating, Reisinger will be tasked to lead the team as he has the most returning experience from last season.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["2125746"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"The last prospect featured in this article, Nellemsbey is another prospect who attended our Freshman showcase. Playing on a stacked Lutheran East roster that won a state title, Nellemsbey is another player who will be a household name in due time. Liked what I saw from him at the showcase with his ability to attack a closeout and knock down an open shot. The Falcons 2027 class is talented and deep, Nellemsbey is just one of a handful of talented prospects The Lue have coming through their pipeline.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66282ddd4cf59"} /-->