Stock-Riser Candidates: '27 W/F Prospect

The DMV continues to churn out premium talent year after year, causing prospects to go a bit more under the radar as opposed to different hotbeds due to the volume of high-level guys. We wanted to start off by highlighting the rising senior class as they head into their last year of AAU basketball. We're excited to highlight some of the prospects our staff thinks could make a big leap this summer. Let's dive in!    -Love the range in his skillset as a W/F tweener that can do a lot with the ball 18' and in. Rucker creates space for himself well with a jab off the catch at the top of the key and is efficient with his dribble when attacking the paint. The athleticism has improved quite a bit as he is finishing well above the rim with lobs or off of backdoor cuts.     -Okojie hasn't really broken out on the scene yet but it's only a matter of time. Okojie is a W/F athletic tweener that can comfortably guard 3-5 while also hitting the glass heavy at both ends of the floor. Love the energy he plays with and his willingness to do the small things for his squad.     -Probably the most underrated prospect that we had in our last set of rankings that will definitely see a hefty bump in the next set. Brooks is a bowling ball of productivity, using his size and frame to bully his matchup to the rim whether he makes the catch on the low block or from the high post. Loved the skill level, footwork, and touch from the big fella. Excited to watch him play with Boo Williams this summer.     -Benning is a project W/F tweener that should continue to grow his game as he plays with more confidence. With a strong frame and standing 6'6, Benning impacts the game as a screener, slasher, rebounder, and defender that can guard multiple position groups. Love the athleticism and motor, once the skillset catches up he could be a name to watch in the 2027 class.     -Have come away absolutely loving the motor and grit out of Mahan throughout the season and look forward to seeing what his role dictates with the Warriors. Mahan is the perfect 3+D wing that can play with virtually anyone because he generates his own offense and covers for teammates' mistakes at the defensive end of the floor. Mahan can knock down C+S 3s, finish putback dunks, slash to the rim, and moves well off the ball to create driving lanes for teammates.     -Browne is a prospect oozing with upside that figures to pop onto radars this spring as a wing that can do a bit of everything. Although I wouldn't call him a primary, Browne can handle it well enough to get past his opponent and to the rim in the halfcourt but he excels as an off-ball mover that can knock down perimeter looks with good positional size. Defensively he has improved quite a bit both on and off the ball, allowing him to switch out on the perimeter while remaining an effective weakside shot-blocker.

The DMV continues to churn out premium talent year after year, causing prospects to go a bit more under the radar as opposed to different hotbeds due to the volume of high-level guys. We wanted to start off by highlighting the rising senior class as they head into their last year of AAU basketball. We're excited to highlight some of the prospects our staff thinks could make a big leap this summer. Let's dive in!