2027 Rankings Update: Sleepers to Track

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today, we finish our breakdown for the&nbsp;<em>Class of 2027</em>&nbsp;with a look at some of New England's top sleepers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Each of these prospects falls outside of the&nbsp;<em>Top 40</em>&nbsp;in our most recent rankings update and holds a ranking outside of the&nbsp;<em>Top 8</em>&nbsp;at their position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>However, each also has the skill, athleticism, and potential needed to rise up the rankings and potentially garner scholarship level interest down the line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's take a look at six&nbsp;<em>Sleepers to Track</em>&nbsp;in New England's&nbsp;<em>Class of 2027</em>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2560962"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6705bf294f110"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Malok, an up-and-coming big man at <em>St. Thomas More</em>, is a rapidly improving prospect with impressive physical characteristics. With great length and plus athleticism, Malok already shows signs of being a high level rim protector and rebounder. He's able to cover ground quickly, utilizes his length to cause havoc, and does a good job of high-pointing his blocks. Offensively, he's a strong rim finisher, trying to dunk everything he gets his hands on in the paint. He's a serious lob threat, does a good job of rolling out of ball screens, and can even put the ball on the floor for a bounce or two to attack the rim. He's an intriguing prospect to follow and his rapid development should only continue this year at <em>STM</em>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2568371"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6705bf294f16a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Williams, who heads into his sophomore season at <em>St. Andrew's</em>, is one of the better young combo guards in the region. A talented scorer, Williams has shown the ability to get to his spots off the bounce, while also making good decisions with the ball in the half court. The lefty has the ability to score from behind the arc and in the mid-range, and is particularly effective when he gets into his pull-up game. He knows how to navigate ball screens as a ball-handler, does a good job of moving without the ball, and is a solid offensive rebounder from the guard spot. Defensively, he has a nice combination of athleticism, positional size, and strength, allowing him to guard both back-court spots effectively. He should be challenged every day at <em>St. Andrew's</em> and has some intriguing long-term potential as a prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2341443"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6705bf294f1ac"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Palermo, a reclassified 2027 at <em>St. Marks</em>, already appears to be one of New England's top underclassmen forwards. After a dominant second season at <em>Andover</em>, in which he proved to be one of the <em>MIAA's</em> top bigs, he'll look to make his mark in the highly competitive <em>NEPSAC</em>. The lefty has great hands, is a terrific finisher in the paint, and shows a high level feel for the game on the offensive end of the floor. He's capable of hitting standstill jumpers, can handle the ball in transition, and has impressive floor vision for a young big man. Defensively, he does a great job of walling up in the paint without foul, controls the defensive glass, and is a terrific outlet passer that quickly gets his eyes up the floor after a rebound. He should continue to be challenged to get better at <em>St. Mark's</em> and could be a prospect to watch at the scholarship level moving forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2568386"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6705bf294f1eb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cyr, who excelled this summer while playing for the <em>Middlesex Magic</em>, has the chance to be one of New England's breakout lead guards this winter at <em>Deerfield Academy</em>. An undersized guard, Cyr is as competitive, gritty, and tough as they come. The lefty has a terrific feel for the game, the ability to make every pass in the book, and has full control of an offense in the half court. He can score at all three levels, knocks down perimeter jumpers off the bounce and the catch, and is a crafty finish in the paint over size. Defensively, he hounds opposing ball handlers for 94', willingly gives up his body to take charges, and seemingly is the first to the floor for every loose ball. He's exactly what a coach wants in a lead guard and appears to get better by the month, high academics should take notice now.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2470894"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6705bf294f229"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ibidapo makes this list after a strong summer playing with the <em>Rhode Island Rivals</em>. A natural athlete, Ibidapo makes an impact on both ends of the floor with his length, quickness, and motor. He's a multi-positional defender that does a great job of being disruptive in passing lanes, moves his feet well to stay in front of ball handlers, and offers significant rim protection from the weak side. Offensively, he continues to develop his game off the bounce, proving to be an impressive finisher around the rim. He's capable of making plays as a facilitator, does a nice job of crashing the offensive glass, and is a strong cutter off the ball. As he continues to develop his handle and perimeter jumper, his impact on the game will only grow. He's a serious college prospect already with physical gifts that most don't have and should be fun to watch in the coming years in the <em>RIIL</em>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2470961"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6705bf294f267"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Peabody, an impressive scorer out of <em>Phillips Andover</em>, is one of better perimeter shooters in New England's class of 2027. An instinctive scorer, Peabody does a great job of doing his work prior to catching the basketball, showing his hands, squaring his feet, and consistently being shot ready. He does a nice job of elevating into his jumper and has a quick, compact, high release. He's starting to leverage his shooting as a driver, is a willing ball mover, and does a great job of moving without the ball. Defensively, he has good positional size, show a solid understanding of team concepts, and moves his feet well enough to stay in front of most guards. His shooting is a standout skill and as he continues to develop the rest of his game he'll be a prospect that coaches in New England will want to track.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->