2027 Rankings Update: Newcomer Wings and Bigs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(155) [player_tooltip player_id='2906518' first='Eli' last='Van Hove'] | PF | Roland-Story</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Van Hove was really impressive at the Winterset Shootout in June, showcasing impressive athleticism and strength, finishing above the rim, controlling the glass, and protecting the paint defensively. His offensive game is still a bit of a work in progress, but at 6-5/6-6 and with his strength and burst, he has a chance to have a breakout junior year after averaging 6.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game as a sophomore. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(157) [player_tooltip player_id='2823320' first='Evan' last='Hoffman'] | PF | OABCIG</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another player who could be due for an even bigger breakout as a junior is Hoffman, a 6-7 big man who impressed as a sophomore, putting up 14.8 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game for the Falcons. He has good, soft hands, finishes well around the rim, and has the type of size and mobility that makes him a force at the 2A level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(166) [player_tooltip player_id='2729418' first='Jackson' last='Joerger'] | SF | Denver</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A 6-0 wing who is at his best inside the arc, Joerger averaged 9.0 points and 3.5 rebounds a game as a sophomore on 51.6% shooting. He can stop on a dime and elevate into his shot, and he's able to get all the way to the bucket where he finishes with either hand.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(167) [player_tooltip player_id='2404347' first='Evan' last='Myers'] | SF | South Central Calhoun</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Myers had a very productive sophomore year for the Titans, averaging 10.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game while showing that he can score from all three levels. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(168) [player_tooltip player_id='2412735' first='Jakob' last='Pottebaum'] | PF | Boyden-Hull</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pottebaum is a bit undersized as a traditional big at 6-1, but he's tough, physical, and athletic. He averaged 10.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 2.6 steals per game for the state-qualifying Comets as a sophomore, and his ability to initiate offense out of the high post area is big for their offensive attack. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(170) [player_tooltip player_id='2407451' first='Mason' last='Small'] | PF | Gehlen Catholic</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Small was great in his sophomore year for the Jays, averaging a team-high 14.0 points to go with 6.6 rebounds a game on 68.5% shooting. At 6-4, he has the size, length, and soft hands to make a major impact on both ends of the floor at the 1A level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(173) [player_tooltip player_id='2906407' first='Nolan' last='Baker'] | SF | Underwood</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Baker can do a little bit of everything on the offensive end, averaging 12.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.0 assists on 41-36-66 shooting splits as a sophomore for the Eagles. A 6-0 wing who can handle it or play without the ball in his hands, he looks primed to have a big junior year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(179) [player_tooltip player_id='2906442' first='Ty' last='Heydon'] | SF | Coon Rapids-Bayard</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Heydon was a force on the glass as a sophomore for the Crusaders, averaging 11.1 rebounds to go with his 10.9 points and 2.4 assists per game. An athletic, physical 6-1 wing who can finish around the rim, he'll be a focal point for a CRB team that could be among the best in 1A this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(187) [player_tooltip player_id='2906497' first='Seth' last='Rushford'] | SF | Mount Vernon</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A 6-1 wing who shoots it well off the catch, Rushford averaged 8.1 points and knocked down over 35% of his 3-point attempts as a sophomore for the Mustangs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(189) [player_tooltip player_id='2906549' first='Connor' last='Hulett'] | SF | Danville</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A 6-3 wing who can create looks off the dribble or operate and find looks within the offense, Hulett averaged 12.0 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.6 assists a game as a sophomore for the Bears.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(190) [player_tooltip player_id='2828827' first='Paul' last='Beswick'] | SF | West Delaware</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A long 6-3 wing who can impact the game on both ends with his length and athleticism, Beswick averaged 6.2 points and 3.9 rebounds a game as a sophomore for the Hawks. He'll step into a starring role as a junior. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(195) [player_tooltip player_id='2906526' first='Kale' last='Bailey'] | SF | Hillcrest Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An efficient 6-2 combo forward, Bailey averaged 9.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, and shot 61% from the floor as a sophomore. The Ravens lost their top three scorers, so expect his numbers to take a big leap as a junior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(197) [player_tooltip player_id='2906538' first='Cael' last='Curphy'] | PF | East Marshall</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A 6-3 big who does nearly all of his damage inside the arc, Curphy averaged 11.1 points and 5.0 rebounds a game on 58% shooting last season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(199) [player_tooltip player_id='2906409' first='Jacob' last='Becker'] | PF | Vinton-Shellsburg</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6-3 Becker is the physicality for the Vikings, a key piece of a strong 2027 class at V-S. He pounds the glass on both ends of the floor, can finish at the rim with either hand, and is a capable passer out of the post.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->