2027 Rankings Top 10 and Tiers

Trying to create a snapshot of where young players are while heading into their sophomore seasons is tricky. Should a priority be placed on freshman year production? What level they played grassroots ball at? Or is it simply about upside, upside, upside? It's a situation where there is likely no right answer, as the basketball that will be played from November to March will change a lot of this list. Then the process will repeat with the basketball played from April to July. Players will emerge out of nowhere as development isn't always linear. There's developmental prospects outside the top 40 of these rankings that when squinting, there's a clear path for them to be top 20 guys in a year. To take it further, there's likely a sophomore somewhere in Oklahoma, that's unheralded, maybe isn't locked into a varsity spot right now, but in 18 months will be a no brainer college guy.     The Top Tier aka the Top 10   There's a new headliner at the top as [player_tooltip player_id='2252491' first='Ryan' last='Hampton'] is currently calling the 918 home as he attends new program South Central Prep. With an older brother who was a 5 star and a first round draft pick, it's not shocking that Texas native has emerged as one of the elites in the Class of 2027. Already taller than his brother, the 6 foot 6 scoring guard is a special athlete and will be a treat for Oklahoma basketball fans to watch this winter.   The next tier within the top tier (man, it's like Inception, wouldn't be weird if I started getting meta with these writes up and went beyond the usual analysis?) has the same top 5 as the last update. Just moved down one spot to accommodate the national 5 star who is now in Oklahoma. They're all still quite good, all have clear paths to "D1" schools. All had strong freshman campaigns, should break out even further as sophomores. Let's get deeper into what makes them great at a later date this week.   The seven through ten spots still feel very strong, especially this early in the class' development cycle. There's a strong mix between current production and obvious upside. [player_tooltip player_id='2140723' first='Braelon' last='Bradshaw'] is a athletic and high potential scoring wing. He flashed a bit as a freshman, often asked to play around the basket due to his team's lack of size. Then took his game to another level as he continued to physically mature this spring and summer into a dynamic driver and fluid wing. Seems to be knocking on the door of what he should become down the road as another player with a "D1" path.   [player_tooltip player_id='2135005' first='Josiah' last='Ankrah'] has a lot going in his favor. He finished his freshman year strong, playing more and more of a role as a dynamic scorer for Southmoore. Then he enjoyed an impressive 15U spring and grassroots summer. The key to his success is he already has an advanced feel to how he scores the ball, rarely looks out of control. Good pace when driving to the rim, or finding spot in the mid-range. And often makes the right read as a passer. If you told me that by March he would be in the top five grouping, I wouldn't be surprised as he has all the tools to make that kind of jump.   If going off pure high school production, [player_tooltip player_id='2140743' first='Greydon' last='Howell'] would be top 5 in the class. And he wouldn't be 5. The lefty is flat out electric with the ball. He's blazing fast, with outstanding body control and a special knack for scoring. But he's had a wrinkle appear in his basketball career trajectory, Howell has picked up the pads for Broken Bow. And the same electric traits that allow him to do everything on the court, has applied to the gridiron and he's dominated as an "Allen Iverson" type QB. For any gifted athlete, the path to go D1 in football is easier than basketball. There's a simple numbers game, as football programs bring in over 20+ kids a year. While basketball programs might bring in only one or two high school signees. And historically in Oklahoma, once players pick up the pads they're much more likely to be playing football at the next level over basketball.   Another prospect with a football vs basketball choice is [player_tooltip player_id='2327106' first='Cooper' last='Hackett']. He's a throwback post prospect, tall, physical around the rim and starting to dunk everything possible. There's already clear D1 potential traits for him on the court. But he also looks like a clear offensive tackle and football programs have started to take notice. On a recent visit to Texas Tech for football he measured out already over 6 foot 7, with a giant wingspan. If he loves basketball over football, there will be next level opportunties, but the football ones are likely to be more plentiful.       Next Up Guards   Starting at [player_tooltip player_id='2439787' first='Chauncey' last='Cravens'] down to even [player_tooltip player_id='2140726' first='Brody' last='Parks'] or [player_tooltip player_id='2140742' first='Gregory' last='Nash'], there's a group of guards that it feels somewhat like splitting hairs to separate. It's another situation where a couple of these names are going to emerge in the next six months, with all of that grouping having obvious paths to the next level. There's a few in this group, Cravens, [player_tooltip player_id='2326939' first='Gabe' last='Osborne'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2332743' first='Kaleb' last='Blackwolf'] who already staring in football this season. They also have either heard from football coaches or soon will. [player_tooltip player_id='2471098' first='Xzavier' last='Mbroh'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2364390' first='Za'brien' last='Shelburn'] are likely set up to have the best seasons regarding pure stats from this group of guards. Mbroh is a shifty guard, who will have the reigns for Heritage Hall. While Sehlburn lead Wilson to the Class A State Championship game and as an encore, will be strong favorites to repeat.   [player_tooltip player_id='2332741' first='Nkem' last='House Jr'] is a complete guard, who will find spots to impact wins for a deep Douglass team. <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/marquell-robinson/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">[player_tooltip player_id='2140772' first='Mar'Quell' last='Robinson']</a> might have the biggest opportunity of this group. Good athlete, a clear runway to be a lead dog for a rising Putnam City program. His development as a creator to match his dynamic driving will be key watching point this winter. There's always at the next level room for pure shooters like [player_tooltip player_id='2140726' first='Brody' last='Parks'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2140778' first='Nate' last='Lyon']. While [player_tooltip player_id='2140742' first='Gregory' last='Nash'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2137791' first='Josiah' last='Morales'] can also fill it up from distance. Plus both have great handles and exciting playing style as smaller guards. Two guards who took pride on defense are small town star [player_tooltip player_id='2140757' first='Jordan' last='Denson'] and Southmoore's [player_tooltip player_id='2045444' first='Joey' last='Folsom']. The list of sophomore guards who will be making their mark on the courts this winter is DEEP.     Knocking at the Door Wings   There's a group of high upside wings who their performances this winter will be pivotal; [player_tooltip player_id='2140734' first='Deandre' last='Rhodes Jr'], [player_tooltip player_id='2326941' first='Miles' last='Jackson'], [player_tooltip player_id='2327104' first='Branden' last='Crosslen'] [player_tooltip player_id='2140751' first='Jasper' last='Chaves'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2140774' first='Merrick' last='Gregory']. Rhodes is a sneaky good perimeter shooter, who can catch fire in a hurry. Still looks to be growing into his body, as he's not a fluid driver and perimeter option right now but the potential is there. Jackson and Gregory are an intriguing pair who already starting to move like big time scoring guards or wings. It'll just be a matter of consistency as they find their footing in Class 6A. Crosslen made one of the bigger leaps during the summer, as it's hard to pinpoint a hole in his game. Perhaps a more consistent jumper and handle, but he's athletic, plays hard and the building blocks are there as a scorer. While Chaves is one of the best athletes in the class and is in a great development spot, surrounded by guards that will set him up.

Trying to create a snapshot of where young players are while heading into their sophomore seasons is tricky. Should a priority be placed on freshman year production? What level they played grassroots ball at? Or is it simply about upside, upside, upside? It's a situation where there is likely no right answer, as the basketball that will be played from November to March will change a lot of this list. Then the process will repeat with the basketball played from April to July. Players will emerge out of nowhere as development isn't always linear. There's developmental prospects outside the top 40 of these rankings that when squinting, there's a clear path for them to be top 20 guys in a year. To take it further, there's likely a sophomore somewhere in Oklahoma, that's unheralded, maybe isn't locked into a varsity spot right now, but in 18 months will be a no brainer college guy.