’27 Rankings Update: Stock-Rising W/F

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>New Readers: Use code "Proia30" for discounted subscription</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We updated our 2027 prospect rankings <a href="https://prephoops.com/2025/01/updated-2027-maryland-rankings/">yesterday</a>, adding in 35 new players for a total of 135 prospects hailing from Washington DC and Maryland. We've already written about our <a href="https://prephoops.com/2025/01/2027-ranking-update-breaking-down-our-top-10/">Top 10</a> in the Class as well as the stock-rising <a href="https://prephoops.com/2025/01/27-rankings-update-stock-riser-guards/">guards</a> here we will break down some of the biggest movers in this update's group of guards. Let's tap in!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2454553"],"_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-6792025a569ed"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Previous Rank: 43</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-The Riverdale sophomore has impressed our scouts with his development into a dependable W/F prospect that can impact the game in several areas. Rucker has grown several inches taller, is filling his frame out nicely, can put it on the floor, can knock down open looks, and is an effective roll target with good hands and a soft touch in the paint. His athleticism and hip mobility have improved to give him some long term upside as a defensive wing that can scale down to defend guards either full time or on switches. Will be interesting to see how much further he can push his ceiling as a leaper and shot-maker, but there's real upside here as a 3+D wing prospect that can fill up the stat sheet for a team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2677591"],"_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-6792025a56a4e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Previous Rank: Unranked</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Massengo's athleticism, defensive instincts, and developing ball skills give the Carroll staff a sense of optimism for his long term projection as a versatile power forward prospect. Massengo knows how to play in space, stays out of drivers' paths to the rim, crashes the glass, and flashes defensive upside as a shot-blocker in the paint. He moves pretty well for a big his size and as the game slows down for him, I think he can be an impact contributor for the Lions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2347764"],"_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-6792025a56a92"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Previous Rank: Unranked</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Carter transferred into PGCA and is developing well with some extended run with the Regional team as a versatile wing prospect with tantalizing upside. A good leaper that can put it on the floor, rebound the basketball in traffic, finish plays above the rim, and scale up or down defensively in PGCA's different lineups-- Carter serves as a valuable piece on this team already as a sophomore. Once the perimeter jumper begins to fall with more consistency and he takes more efficient paths to the basket that cut down on the potential to get ripped on drives to the basket-- he will barely leave the floor as a crucial 3+D wing. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2479669"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2747525,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-6792025a56ae8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Previous Rank: Unranked</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-A whirling dervish of activity in Coach Williams' pace and space system, Sako floats effectively as a free safety on the back line of the defense to protect the paint while also contesting/sliding with opponents out on the perimeter. His hustle and quickness allow him to cover ground on closeouts, injecting some athleticism and intensity as a defender that needs to be accounted for at all times. Sako's motor also shows on the offensive end of the floor, making up for what he relatively lacks in touch around the basket with a great second jump to clean up misses around the basket and score through the contact. If the handle can improve to get from the 3 point line to the rim in 1 dribble or less to cut down on fumbled plays or getting ripped in traffic by a guard, he'll be even more valuable for SJCP in transition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2623334"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2747526,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-6792025a56b33"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Previous Rank: 99</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We wrote about Mahan's impact as a dynamic 3+D wing earlier this week at the MLK Dream Classic, impacting the game in his bursts of playing time with above the rim finishes and made attempts from beyond the arc. Mahan will surprise you with some rebounds in traffic, the athleticism on a chase down block off the backboard, or with his ability to guard 1-3 and some forwards already as a sophomore. His willingness to be coached and do the dirty work is essential for a Jackson Reed group that relies heavily on its upperclassmen. Mahan fills a Christian Braun-like role for this Tigers team and has great long term upside as a 3+D wing that can also serve as an unselfish connector in the halfcourt. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->