Updated 2027 Rankings: Stockrisers (Part 1)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We recently updated our class of 2027 rankings, with a lot of new players as we learn more about the class as they grow and develop. Things have shaken up quite a bit, with over 25 new names being added to the rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at part one of the stock risers in the sophomore class rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2353632' first='Makai' last='Ragland'] | 6'7” SF | Albemarle</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2427202,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/tempImageDVfZay.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/tempImageDVfZay.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2427202" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Previous Rank: #6</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Current Rank: #3</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ragland makes a jump into the top 5 after helping lead Albemarle to the state championship game which they lost in heart breaking fashion to Green Run, but as a sophomore leader he showed a lot of improvement and still is just scratching the surface with how good he can be moving forward. At 6'7” he has great size and a fantastic frame for his position already, coupled with good athleticism that should continue to get better as he continues to grow into his body. He can put it on the deck both in face up and on the perimeter, he is a very good rebounder particularly on the offensive end and he knows how to take advantage of different mismatches consistently.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2470549' first='Makel' last='Minor'] | 6'2” CG | Bishop O'Connell</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2439393,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/tempImage1R9AZd.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/tempImage1R9AZd.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2439393" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Previous Rank: #7</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Current Rank: #4</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Minor also takes a jump into the top 5 after transferring to Bishop O'Connell and helping lead them to the VISAA D1 state championship before losing in heartbreaking fashion to Highland School, but he had a fantastic year and won them a lot of games with his scoring ability. The 6'2” combo is wired to score, as he can create space off the bounce with great balance and he has the ability to make tough shots from all three levels. He can move off the ball and drill it from deep, he's a good finisher in traffic&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2353665' first='Will' last='Braun-Duin'] | 6'3” SG | Handley</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2548686,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImageQ6G5Hw.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImageQ6G5Hw.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2548686" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Previous Rank: #8</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Current Rank: #6</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Braun-Duin has had a fantastic start to his career, as he's already a two time All State selection and has helped revamp a Handley program into one of the best teams in Class 4 the last two seasons. He's already getting recruited at the division one level with a number of offers, and was one of the top shooters on the Nike E15 Circuit last summer with [program_tooltip program_id='2226248' first='Boo' last='Williams']. He's a strong wing who has a great feel for the game, he shoots the cover off of it with effortless range and he can create for himself and others off the bounce as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2194710' first='Brian' last='Mitchell Jr.'] | 6'3” SG | Varina</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2724459,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/tempImageCY3AGo.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/tempImageCY3AGo.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2724459" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Previous Rank: #10</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Current Rank: #7</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mitchell was a teammate of Braun-Duin on the [program_tooltip program_id='2226248' first='Boo' last='Williams'] team this past summer, and after a good freshman season he stepped it up this year and helped lead Varina to a state championship appearance before falling to Atlee. At 6'3” he's a strong guard with a frame that should sure up as he gets in the weight room and loses some baby fat, but he already has an impressive game as he can fill it up with the best and put up a lot of big numbers this past season. He shoots a beautiful ball and can set his feet on the move to get his shot off, he can attack downhill and draws contact and he's a good rebounder for his position too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2624494' first='Ben' last='Kalonji'] | 6'8” PF | Massanutten</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2803623,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/IMG_2B66CD0D8CDD-1.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/IMG_2B66CD0D8CDD-1.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2803623" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Previous Rank: #12</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Current Rank: #8</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kalonji is one of the most high upside prospects in this class, as he came over from The Congo this year and joined Massanutten's post grad team in the Elite Prep League. When he first arrived you saw the potential as he played hard and is a great athlete, but throughout the year you saw so much improvement and he looked like a totally different player by the end of the season. He's a high motor forward with long arms and is able to play above the rim effortlessly and with authority, he is a big time shot blocker and he plays so hard every time he's on the floor, he just needs to learn the game and continue to polish.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2370724' first='Keaton' last='Gregory'] | 6'9” C | Trinity Episcopal</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2502942,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/tempImagecsCKRM.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/tempImagecsCKRM.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2502942" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Previous Rank: #14</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Current Rank: #10</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gregory has been a starter for TES since he was a freshman, and he had a great sophomore season showing a lot of improvement and impacting the game in a lot of ways for the Titans. At 6'9” Gregory has long arms and a unique skillset with his ability to play inside-out, and while he needs to fill out he has a great understanding of the game and a lot of tools that bold well moving forward. He has touch out to the three-point line, he's a good passer on the perimeter, he can rebound and protect the paint and he's very vocal as the back line anchor of the defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->