2027 Rankings Update: No.’s 21-25 Breakdown

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last week we turned our 2027 watchlist into an official rankings update with 100 prospects in the SoCal's sophomore class in the mix. In this piece we take a closer look at the prospects who fall among No.'s 21-25.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">21. [player_tooltip player_id='2435370' first='Pierce' last='Thompson'] | Harvard-Westlake</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thompson is a savvy combo guard whose combination of skill and basketball IQ allow him to impact the game in a variety of ways. The 6-foot-2 sophomore has been battling injuries since the end of the summer but will factor in to Harvard-Westlake's rotation this season because of his dribble, pass and shoot ability. The Wolverines will need all the capable guard play they can get as they embark on yet another difficult schedule and Thompson, once healthy, will provide another ball handler, decision-maker and perimeter scoring threat.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">22. [player_tooltip player_id='2436268' first='Gary' last='Ferguson'] | Westchester</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ferguson has some dynamic talent in his offensive arsenal. The 6-foot-2 combo guard has a smoothness to his playmaking ability in transition but also a shiftiness and burst to his half-court attack that allows him to earn paint touches with ease and create for himself or teammates. Ferguson has shown flashes of dazzling passing ability and is a crafty finisher around the rim.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">23. [player_tooltip player_id='2194390' first='Carter' last='Barnes'] | Crespi</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's something to be said about a young high school prospect understanding how glue-type plays can impact winning and that's what both Barnes twins bring to the floor. Carter is a hard-nosed defender who doesn't back down from challenges on that end of the floor and brings a toughness and grit to the defensive end that you don't often see from underclassmen. Offensively, Carter is a consistent three-point shooter and downhill attacker of the rim in transition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">24. [player_tooltip player_id='2194692' first='Isaiah' last='Barnes'] | Crespi</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It is hard to separate the Barnes twins too much in these rankings because of the similarities of their games. Like Carter, what stands out most about Isaiah are the natural intangibles he brings to the floor. He's an instinctual on-ball defender who can pressure the ball, contain the drive and create turnovers with his quick hands and lateral speed. Offensively, Isaiah is a steady shooter off the catch who can also get paint touches off the bounce where he can create for himself and teammates.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">25. [player_tooltip player_id='2436267' first='Omari' last='Cuffe'] | St. Pius X-St. Matthias</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first thing you'll notice about Cuffe when watching him play is the effort and energy he brings to both ends of the floor. The 6-foot-4 wing/forward is an active and versatile defender, high motor slasher and finisher in transition and works to gain position and impact the offensive glass. In half-court offense, Cuffe can knock down open catch and shoot threes and get to the rim off the dribble where he elevates quickly for at-rim finishes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->