Rankings Release: Talking About the Top 10

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The rankings have been updated and the <em>Top 10</em> looks different than it did just a few months ago.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The spring travel season gave us another opportunity to evaluate the <em>Class of 2027</em>, and in doing so, to further expand on what makes each of these prospects so special.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below is a breakdown of each of the prospects in our&nbsp;<em>Top 10</em>, with an emphasis on what has stood out about their play this spring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2470882' first='Theo' last='Edema']:</strong> Arguably the top <em>stock riser</em> in this class nationally, Edema has had a terrific spring while running with <em>Team New England Basketball Club</em>. An agile and mobile 7' big man, he seemingly punishes rims every chance he gets. He's improved his conditioning, is a massive presence around the basket on both ends of the floor, and plays with a physicality that few prospects in the country can match. He's a high-major plus recruit and, I'd argue, among the <em>Top 5</em> big men in his class.<br></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2470973' first='Greyson' last='Pierce']:</strong> Headed to <em>St. Thomas More</em> in the fall, Pierce has continued to impress with his two-way versatility this spring while playing for the <em>PSA Cardinals</em>. An athletic 6'7", with a solid frame, he does a nice job of impact the game in a variety of ways on the offensive end of the floor. He finishes above the rim in space, makes plays off the bounce to score in the mid-range, and knocks down shots consistently from behind the arc. He should play his way into <em>Top 100</em> consideration and will be a high-major recruit before long.<br></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1958489' first='Clyde' last='Walters']:</strong> A do everything guard for the <em>Alabama Fusion</em>, Walters has had a strong spring, showing off impressive versatility and the ability to make plays with the ball in his hands. After his first year at <em>Brewster Academy</em>, he's cemented himself amongst the top prospects in New England. He's well-built, plays with toughness, and makes his presence felt on both ends of the floor. He scores with skill, athleticism, and touch at multiple levels. He had wide ranging interest before reclassifying last summer and should earn plenty of looks at the high-major level.<br></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2341434' first='DJ' last='Hawkins']:</strong> A jumbo guard that had a solid spring with <em>Expressions Elite</em>, Hawkins has some really impressive long term tools. He's pushing 6'8", has a plus wingspan, and continues to improve as a secondary handler. Another <em>St. Thomas More</em> product, he'll need to continue to get stronger, but right now stands out with his finishing around the rim and ability to get hot in a hurry from behind the arc. His long-term ceiling screams high-major prospect and it'll be interesting to see him operate in a more defined role this winter.<br></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2470964' first='Antonio' last='Pemberton']:</strong> A lead guard for the <em>Mass Rivals</em>, Pemberton looks more athletic and quicker than he ever has. He plays with the ball on a string as a creator, does a nice job of making tough jumpers in the mid-range, and is a quality decision maker operating out of ball screens. The <em>Brewster Academy</em> prospect is also a quality point of attack defender, that makes plays without fouling and quick turns defense into offense. Undeniably a Division I prospect, he's a <em>Top 25</em> lead guard in the class and will help a college program win a lot of games down the road.<br></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2341319' first='Nicolas' last='Mitrovic']:</strong> Coming off of a strong showing at the <em>Pangos All-American Camp</em>, Mitrovic had a bit of a breakout spring while playing with <em>Expressions Elite</em>. The long and lean forward does a nice job of finishing around the rim, can step out and make perimeter jumpers in catch and shoot situations, and moves well for a young 7' big. Headed to <em>CATS Academy</em> in the fall, he also excels as a defender that can protect the rim and blow up ball screen actions. There aren't a lot of prospects that can match his combination of size and skill, which should lead to high-major recruitment down the line.<br></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2407057' first='Declan' last='Griffiths']:</strong> Fresh off an appearance at the <em>Under Armour Elite 60</em> camp, Griffiths is another prospect that has been a major stock riser this spring. The <em>Middlesex Magic</em> wing is an elite shooter that can make shots in catch and shoot situations, as well as on the move. He's gotten stronger, plays with more athletic pop, and can finish through contact around the rim. Defensively, he's versatile and has the ability to rebound both in traffic and in space. He's due for a breakout season at <em>Avon Old Farms</em> and is another prospect that could see wide ranging Division I recruitment.<br></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2470840' first='Josiah' last='Adamson']:</strong> An athletic, physical, and tough perimeter prospect, Adamson has showed an advanced skillset this spring while playing for <em>Expressions Elite</em>. At 6'4", he has good size on the perimeter and a college ready frame, both of which he uses to his advantage as a paint finisher. He's showing more comfort with the ball in his hands and has started to consistently knock down shots in the mid-range and from behind the arc. He's another prospect that could be in for a breakout this winter and, I'd expect, will soon start to garner the attention of scholarship level schools.<br></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2470857' first='Reece' last='Ayala']:</strong> Another <em>Expressions Elite</em> prospect, Ayala is a big lead guard that has seen his stock rise significantly over the last 12 months. The 6'4" lefty is a playmaker that has an exceptional feel for the game and knows how to fill up a stat sheet. He makes shots from behind the arc, finishes with creativity around the rim, and shows elite vision in the half-court. Headed to <em>Brewster Academy</em> in the fall, he'll have the chance to prove himself against some of the best competition in the country. He's both high academic and high talent and should be a quality Division I recruit down the road.<br></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2568339' first='Kamari' last='Whyte']:</strong> The <em>New Heights</em> guard is as physically imposing of a perimeter prospect as there is in the region. He has a big frame, plays with an edge on both ends of the floor, and does the little things that lead to winning games. At <em>Vermont Academy</em>, he proved his ability to score the basketball at multiple levels, make plays in transition, and be a disruptive defender on the other end of the floor. He's got a chance to take the reigns for his team this winter and is another prospect that will someday play at the scholarship level.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Keep an eye out this week as we continue to expand on our updated 2027 rankings, with thoughts on&nbsp;<em>newcomers</em>,&nbsp;<em>risers</em>, and more!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->