2027 Rankings: There Is A New #1-Ranked Player

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">The 2027 rankings are out, and several players have moved up since the last edition. Let's take a look at a few…</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2472362' first='Braden' last='Gordon']</strong> (6'4/G|F/'27/Montgomery Academy)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: _brayhoops5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Ranking: #1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Braden moves up one spot and takes hold of the number one spot in this class. His exceptional play led his team to the final four, ultimately capturing the blue map, and was enough to help him take over the top spot. He was, at times, the best player on the floor on the biggest stage of the year. He has a dynamic young and budding scoring arsenal that will catapult him into the conversation of many college coaches. He has the versatility to thrive on or off the ball on offense and the versatility to defend multiple positions on defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2699980' first='Brendon' last='Davis']</strong> (6'3/CG/'27/Wenonah)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: donwitdashiftsz</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @BrendonDav40665</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Ranking: #5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Brendon led a young Dragons squad to the Final Four, and many have already set expectations that they will return to the big stage next year due to Brendon's play. Brendon raises the level of his team's play with his raw talent, charisma, high-level scoring prowess, and killer instincts. He is a dynamic young scorer who can create his own shot from all three levels. His shot selections fluctuate between good and questionable, but he is a very talented shot-maker, even when it comes to making difficult shots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2844375' first='Jarrett' last='Friendly']</strong> (6'6/G|F/'27/Montgomery Academy)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Ranking: #6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Jarrett, the teammate of the new #1-ranked player in this class, is another reason why so many expect Montgomery Academy to lift the blue map again next season. He is a dynamic slasher who is tough to contain off the dribble. He thrives in the open floor when he has space to attack gaps and get downhill to the cup. He still has room to improve with his perimeter scoring, and if he ever gets that as an efficient and consistent part of his game, he could emerge as a prospect that college coaches cannot pass on. He has a very good blend of scoring ability, playmaking skills, and defensive versatility.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2472368' first='Alexander' last='Blue']</strong> (6'6/F/'27/James Clemens)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Ranking: #11</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Alexander makes his living on the inside as he impacts both ends of the floor with his size and length. He is highly active defensively, as he has good timing as a shot blocker and is active on the glass with his motor. He plays with a lot of energy and effort and often outworks opponents. He runs the floor well, is a relentless competitor, and understands and plays within his role. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>John Robert Towry</strong> (6'6/PF/'27/Vestavia Hills HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: Johnnytowry</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @JohnnyTowr9236</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Ranking: #19</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">John is evolving into a reliable back-to-the-basket post player who can have the offense run through him. He has a nice skill set, reads the floor well, can pass out the post, and impacts the paint on both ends of the floor. He is coming into his own on the offensive end of the floor as his low-post moves continue to evolve. His size and length help him to be a really good rim protector and rebounder, as there were games he owned the glass and blocked shots effortlessly. He helped his team to a Sweet 16 birth and will look to build upon that next year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2420384' first='Gray' last='Bennich']</strong> (6'1/CG/'27/Hartselle)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: gray_bennich</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Ranking: #22</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Gray is one of the best three-point shooters in this class. He has shown the ability to play both guard spots and impact both ends of the floor at either position. He is a very confident shooter and does a good job spacing the floor with his ability to be a threat from deep.&nbsp; He has a budding floor game along with a good feel and understanding of orchestrating and scoring.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Jaiysyion Payne</strong> (5'11/PG/'27/Florence)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Ranking: #23</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Jaiysyion is a lead guard who does a good job balancing scoring and facilitating. He was surrounded by high-level talent this year as they made it to the championship game of class 7A. He was not asked to do much but to play his role, and he was able to do that and contribute to winning. We will be able to see the fullness of his game as he runs with Alabama Truth this spring and summer. He is a talented backcourt talent who could have a breakout year on the grassroots scene and when the high school season starts next school year.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2472358' first='Miles' last='Warren']</strong> (6'0/PG/'27/Brooks)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: Milesw02</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @Milesw02</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Ranking: #24</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Miles is a small lead guard who has really good playmaking skills at the point guard position. He is tough to deal with off the bounce as he can break down defenders with really good dribble moves and hesitation dribbles. He is a confident leader with a high PG IQ and the ability to navigate the offense throughout the course of the game. He plays under control and rarely gets sped up or forced into bad decisions by defenders. He has proven to be a reliable and trustworthy lead guard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->