Updated Player Rankings: 2027 Stock Risers

Several players in Wisconsin's sophomore class made significant jumps forward in the updated Prep Hoops Wisconsin Player Rankings for 2027 released today. Following are some evaluations of a few of the players who made the biggest jumps up in our rankings:    Previous Ranking: Unranked Current Ranking: 7 Hayfort jumps into the rankings for the first time after moving to Wisconsin from Texas over the summer. He has proven to be a huge addition for the Nicolet program, which is currently 10-2. Hayfort possesses very good athleticism, excellent length and the ability to score near the hoop. He is averaging 12.2 points and 8.4 rebounds, and his presence on defense helps the Knights protect the basket with a shot-blocking presence. As Hayfort continues to gain weight and strength while expanding his skills away from the basket, he figures to remain among the elite prospects in the state's 2027 class.     Previous Ranking: 18 Current Ranking: 11 When you shoot the ball at a very high level, people tend to notice. Gerke definitely does that and people have rightly taken notice. At 6-foot-3, Gerke has good size for a shooting guard and his stellar play thus far this season has helped Tomah to a 5-5 record. He is averaging 25.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.6 steals for the Timberwolves. In a recent 75-67 loss to highly regarded Onalaska, Gerke went for 33 points. He has a quick release from deep and is shooting at high clips of 46 percent from the field, 89 percent from the foul line and 46 percent from three-point range.     Previous Ranking: 19 Current Ranking: 13 Known primarily as a long-distance shooter, Jones is slowly developing his attack-to-the-basket game for Dominican. Developing his off hand and gaining strength will be key going forward for Jones, who is starting and averaging 17.6 points and 4.0 rebounds for the 7-4 Knights. Jones is confident with his three-point jump shot and he can get it rolling from deep on any given night. But his ability to now get into the lane to score or get to the foul line has been a nice addition to his game.     Previous Ranking: 46 Current Ranking: 33 Messmer has recorded wins in seven of its first 10 games of the season in large part because of the strong play of Velasquez. The energetic backcourt performer is having a breakout season for the Bishops and is averaging 25.8 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.7 assists. He is a good shooter as his percentages include 59 percent from the field, 71 percent from the line and 43 percent from three-point range. Velezquez has been on a tear of late, scoring 30 or more points in four the past five games for Messmer.     Previous Ranking: 59 Current Ranking: 42 Robbins has the size and skill to play inside and outside for Iola-Scandinavia. He can spot up from three, score with his back to the basket and make athletic plays around the rim. At 6-foot-6 and with good bounce, Robbins also can be a demon on defense as he can block/alter shots and grab rebounds. Robbins has helped a young Iola-Scandinavia squad to a 9-3 record under coach Sam Bertsch by averaging 19.3 points and 7.9 rebounds. He could be a player that continues to climb in the Player Rankings as he develops more strength and rounds out his game.     Previous Ranking: 56 Current Ranking: 43 It seems Hoel puts on another inch every other month or so as he's now up to 6-feet, 8-inches and is putting up nice numbers for Stanley-Boyd. Playing on a young but promising squad, Hoel is averaging 15.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.6 assists as the Orioles have won six of 10 games. He has a nice presence in the game on defense and does not force the issue on offense. He figures to become an even bigger scorer in the future as he adds weight and strength to his long frame. He definitely is a player to monitor in the spring and summer on the club circuit while playing with the [program_tooltip program_id='2076033' first='Wisconsin' last='Playmakers'].     Previous Ranking: 55 Current Ranking: 44 Adding an inch or two over the past year has helped Zuberbuhler emerge as one of the elite players in the Southwest Wisconsin Activities League. Playing for traditional power Darlington, Zuberbuhler now is a sturdy 6-foot-1 combination guard who can pass, shoot and dribble, assets that have helped the Redbirds to a 10-2 record under coach Tom Uppena. Zuberbuhler had one of this best outings against one of the better teams on the Darlington schedule as he went off for 33 points and four three-point baskets in a recent victory over Platteville. Zuberbuhler is averaging 21.4 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.9 assists while shooting 47 percent from the field, 64 percent from the charity stripe and 38 percent from three-point range.     Previous Ranking: 82 Current Ranking: 50 When Kenesie's older brother, Eric, graduated last spring, most figured Kenosha St. Joseph would struggle to find another point guard who could efficiently run an offense. [player_tooltip player_id='2508296' first='Christopher' last='Kenesie'] had played the shooting guard spot as a freshman and really had little to no experience at the varsity level running a team. But it's almost like St. Joseph didn't skip a beat when the baton was handed off from one Kenesie brother to another. Christopher has taken a leadership role as the Lancers' starting point guard and has been terrific in the first half of the 2024-25 season, averaging 20.2 points and 3.1 rebounds for the 6-6 Lancers. His turnaround three-pointer at the buzzer gave his team a 60-57 win over visiting Dominican on Tuesday.

Several players in Wisconsin's sophomore class made significant jumps forward in the updated Prep Hoops Wisconsin Player Rankings for 2027 released today. Following are some evaluations of a few of the players who made the biggest jumps up in our rankings: