Updated 2027 Rankings: Wings (5-1)

<!-- 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 the top 5 shooting guards and small forwards in the sophomore class rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5) [player_tooltip player_id='2575696' first='Jamison' last='Ross'] | 6'5” SF | Highland School (#13 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ross is the younger brother of Jayden Ross (UConn) and Jacob Ross (Minnesota commit), and he started at Patriot at the beginning of the season before transferring to Highland midseason. The 6'5” wing has a lot of the same traits of his older brothers, as he has prototypical size for his position moving forward, as well as being a good athlete with a solid skillset that should continue to develop over the years. He thrives in transition with his ability to run the floor and play above the rim, he can knock down shots from deep off the catch, he can put it on the deck and get to spots and he has huge upside defensively too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4) [player_tooltip player_id='2194710' first='Brian' last='Mitchell Jr.'] | 6'3” SG | Varina (#7 Overall)</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:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mitchell took a jump in the rankings after he had a huge junior season, leading Varina to the state tournament and being one of the top scoring guards in the Richmond area. The 6'3” two guard is very strong with a big frame and the ability to get in the lane and finish through contact, and as he gets his body right moving forward he should get more explosive as well. He's a deadly shooter who has great form and can set his feet on the move, he has good range and can get to his shot on the move or off the bounce, and he is a good rebounder who can start the break as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3) [player_tooltip player_id='2353665' first='Will' last='Braun-Duin'] | 6'3” SG | Handley (#6 Overall)</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:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Braun-Duin was a standout freshman earning First Team All State and leading Handley to a state tournament appearance, and he followed it up with another All State season where they went to the state tournament and he was one of the top scorers in the entire state as well. The 6'3” off guard is a walking bucket who exudes confidence in his shot making ability, and he's highly underrated in the rest of his game as well. He's one of the elite shooters in the state regardless of class with range well past the three-point line and the ability to set his feet and fire on the move, he's good in isolation and ball screen actions where he can get to his spots and make difficult shots from multiple levels and he is a solid playmaker who can make others better as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2) [player_tooltip player_id='2353632' first='Makai' last='Ragland'] | 6'6” SF | Albemarle (#3 Overall)</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:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ragland is one of the most intriguing prospects in this class, as the 6'6” wing not only already possesses prototypical size and a mismatch skillset for his age, he's also been instrumental in Albemarle's success the last two seasons. As a freshman starter he was one of their best players and led them to a state tournament semifinal, and this year he stepped up as their go-to guy and led them to the Class 5 state championship where they lost a heartbreaker at the buzzer after he hit the go-ahead shot with less than 10 seconds to play. He has long arms and is likely still growing as he seems to get taller every time we see him, he's a big time athlete who can run the floor and play above the rim, he can put it on the deck against slower guys and punish smaller defenders in the post and he can switch and guard almost every position on the floor. With all that being said, he still has a lot of room for growth in his game, and should be a big time prospect when it's all said and done.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1) [player_tooltip player_id='2323647' first='Howard' last='Williams'] | 6'6” SF | Oak Hill (#1 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2692988,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/IMG_1284-rotated.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/IMG_1284-rotated.jpeg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-2692988" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Williams transferred to Oak Hill from Chicago this year after being considered perhaps the best freshman in one of the best basketball areas in the country, and while you don't see a lot of underclassmen make big impacts on the EYSL Circuit he was an exemption as a starter who played a major role on a nationally ranked team this year. Williams looks the part from the moment he steps on the floor, as he already has a college ready frame and strength to be physical, along with long arms at 6'6” that would have him looking normal walking into a high major practice. He's well-rounded offensively as he can knock down shots at a high clip from deep, gets out in transition and is an athletic finisher above the rim, he can create for himself with the ball in his hands and works well off the ball within the system to get open for easy shots. Throw in the fact he's a good rebounder and solid defender who can play all over the floor and create mismatches, and you have one of the top sophomores in the country who should blow up this summer on college radars.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->