Rankings Release: 2027 Forwards to Follow

We continue our positional breakdown for the Class of 2027 by taking a look at some notable Forwards.   After checking in on the Wings earlier this week, today we turn our attention to prospects that make most of their impact on the paint, with two-way versatility to match.   From prospects inside the Top 20 to ones sitting on the Watch List, here's a look at ten Forwards that appeared in our latest rankings update.    Blackburn, an athletic hybrid forward out of Worcester Academy in Massachusetts, makes loud plays on both ends of the floor with his physical gifts. An elite athlete, he's a highlight waiting to happen in transition, but has also started to channel his athletic gifts to be a strong defender and help side shot blocker. Offensively, he's at his best when he gets downhill and attacks the basket, but continues to improve month by month in his shot creation and ability to knock down catch and shoot threes.     Robinson, an athletic forward out of the Brimmer & May School in Massachusetts, is a gifted low post scorer that has continued to work hard to expand his game on the offensive end of the floor. He can score over either shoulder with his back to the basket, showing good footwork and an advanced feel for the game in the paint, but also has the ability to knock down shots from behind the arc in catch and shoot situations. On the other end, he is a high level shot blocker with good timing and instincts, while also showing the ability to rebound at a high level.     Karavanic, a skilled forward out of Nashua South High School in New Hampshire, plays with a high motor, while continuing to expand his skillset. He can operate as a grab and go rebounder, making good decisions in transition. He's an aggressive offensive rebounder that can play with his back to the basket, but also has begun to show the ability to make shots from behind the arc in catch and shoot situations. Defensively, he's tough, physical, and ultra competitive on the glass.     Reardon, a versatile hybrid forward out of St. Paul's School in New Hampshire, does a little bit of everything on both ends of the floor. He has a good frame and uses it to his advantage as a physical presence defensively. He can guard up and down a lineup and shows the ability to both rebound in space and around the rim in traffic. Offensively, he makes good decisions with the ball in his hands, has a high IQ as an off-ball cutter, and is capable of knocking down shots in catch and shoot situations.     Clement, a lengthy forward out of St. Mark's School in Massachusetts, continues to impress with his combination of skill, feel for the game, and positional size. Now pushing 6'9", he's an ultra long prospect that has continued to refine his guard skills through his growth spurt. He moves well laterally, has the ability to run the floor well in transition, and plays with more of an edge than you'd expect physically from his lean frame. He uses his size to get his shot off over defenders, to block shots around the rim, and to make disruptive plays in passing lanes.     Palermo, a skilled forward out of St. Mark's School in Massachusetts, is a tough two-way rebounder that has a good understanding of angles and positioning. He makes high IQ plays on both ends of the floor, proving to be a willing ball-mover that can initiate offense from the high post and short corners. He knows how to score with his back to the basket, does a nice job of passing when the double comes, and can finish through contact at the rim. Defensively, he uses his frame and physicality to his advantage as a rebounder in the paint.     Duverne, a two-way forward out of Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire, does a nice job of providing an athletic, energetic, and physical presence on both ends of the floor. Defensively, he shows good pursuit of the basketball on the glass, while also having the ability to guard bigs in the paint and wings on the perimeter. On the other end, he's beginning to show signs of 3-and-D potential as a shooter, while also continuing to get the job down around the rim as a slasher and off-ball cutter.     Ibidapo, an athletic forward out of Shea High School in Rhode Island, has all the makings of a defensive stopper at the next level. He's bouncy around the rim, super long physically, and plays with a good motor, all of which helps him to defend ones through fives, typically including the other team's best scorer. Offensively, he makes plays as a scorer in transition, has done a lot of work to improve his handle as a slasher, and continues to show some potential as a shot maker in catch and shoot situations.     Benedict, a skilled forward out of St. George's School in Rhode Island, makes high IQ basketball plays on both ends of the floor. He has a good feel for the game, both with the ball in his hands and as an off-ball mover, and knows how to score the basketball at multiple levels. He's more athletic than he gets credit for and uses a quick first step to get into the paint as a creator. Defensively, he can guard up and down a position and uses his length and athleticism to make life difficult for opposing ball-handlers.     Rodriguez, a talented forward out of the Berkshire School in Massachusetts, has an incredibly high level of skill for a 6'8" prospect. He has the size needed to play out of the post, but also shows a game that can stretch to the perimeter as a shot maker and creator off the bounce. He does a great job of playing out of the mid-post, where he uses his size to see and score over the defense. Defensively, he's a high level rebounder that has the ability to guard big, forwards, and wings.    Keep an eye out later this week as we roll out positional breakdown for the bigs in the Class of 2027.

We continue our positional breakdown for the Class of 2027 by taking a look at some notable Forwards.