Fall Hidden Gems: 2027 Prospects

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Fall Hidden Gems series concludes with the sophomores. More than any other class, the last couple months were significant as far as getting reps with their teams heading into the season and getting on the radar regionally. Here are five names to know:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2400185"],"_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-672d3909610ba"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Joining the Churchmen after leading Phoenixville to a PAC title, Brown's talent and experience are evident. He can play next to other lead guards despite his size because he extends advantages by making the right reads on closeouts and knocking down the three when it's there. But when the opportunities arise, Brown can set the table. He tilts the defense with heady plays and by getting into the paint, then playing off of two feet. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2384372"],"_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-672d390961129"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A newer piece to the Cavs backcourt, Holmes Jr steps into a more complimentary role after carrying a high usage at Odyssey Charter. The lighting-quick guard gets to the cup off the dribble and isn't afraid to lay the ball up in traffic. Maybe even more effective without the ball, Holmes Jr is happy to space the floor for others. His lower body strength and fluid release allow him to drill spot-up threes from deep and get to one-dribble pull-ups. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2632695"],"_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-672d39096116a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Portee Jr is tough to defend when he has a full head of steam. If he gets a clean rip through from the corner, the baseline is his runway for a finish above the rim or a mid-range pull-up. Without having to gamble, Portee Jr makes plays on the ball as a defender. He can contain whoever he's guarding and deflect the ball away with his long arms or flip his hips and recover when he gets beat. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2633181"],"_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-672d3909611a8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The offensively-skilled forward is starting to put it all together. Ragsdale can put the ball on the floor against players his size and get to his spots around the basket. He also shows glimpses of touch on his jumper when he faces up for pull-up middies and catch-and-shoot threes. Yet, his toughness inside, on both ends are critical. Ragsdale is willing to get his hands dirty by battling for rebounds and walling up at the rim.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2386201"],"_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-672d3909611e4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A junkyard dog, Reed doesn't need routine touches in the post in order to be effective. He gets going on the defensive and offensive glass, closing out possessions or getting putbacks for himself. His hustle extends to fastbreaks when he's running the floor as the trailer. And when he does get the ball in the halfcourt, Reed can knock down jumpers from the elbow or use his footwork to create angles to score. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->