2027 Defenders that we hope to see at the Expo

We're less than a month out from the Expo at Gold Crown on Sunday, September 13th. This is your chance to test yourself against 2026 & 2027 talent from across the state as we all head out under one roof. I will be on-site to evaluate how your game translates in a showcase setting and get an early read heading into the season. Rankings will be updated shortly after, using this as a key baseline.   Use code “JohnsonHoops25” at checkout for a discount. (<a href="https://events.prephoops.com/e/1616/register/the-expo-colorado">Here</a>)      Landers is a pass-first guard who takes care of the ball and runs the offense. He does the little things that put him on the court as he is low-mistake and high IQ. But what separates him is his ability to lock down defensively. He's a bully ball guard on that end of the floor that is physical, stays in front of his man, and the team puts him out there to guard the opposing team's best player. What is always lacking at showcases is defenders, and that is how he could pop for us. By going out there and being himself.     Vervaet is a 6'1 lock and you know what you don't see much at a showcase that I hope is on display this year, top notch defenders. That's Ryan's role with Mountain Vista and that is what will have them as one of the best teams in the state. Their ability to defend. He's a versatile defender that also is a solid offensive player as well and that was on display this summer. He has a knack for getting into the paint, finishing with mid-range shots and turning defense into offense. If he's able to come out to the event and be just that — he becomes a game changer that more people need to have eyes on.     Frison is a player that can get his name out there if he heads out to the event and has a solid day defensively. He's a solid defender who has the ability to defend all five positions. He defends bigger players, he steps out on guards and makes things difficult. He's a splash off the bench and can impact the game on that end of the floor. Offensively, he knocks down the 3-ball and gets to the basket and if he's able to prove that he can be a consistent 3&D player for Pueblo South, that will be a team to watch. We want defenders to come to the event and make their mark and that's his calling.     Holloway is heading into his 3rd year on varsity and is a player that has impacted the program in a positive way. He heads into the year as one of the team's best defenders and if he's able to elevate his game on that end of the floor that will get them back in a spot where they can bring home the trophy. Holloway is a hard-nosed defender that's aggressive, gets in the passing lanes and you can put him on opposing guards to slow them down. That's something that we want to see in a showcase setting as well as that will allow him to shine bright in a spot that offense is always the focal point. We would love to see him get there and showcase himself.     Smith is an intriguing prospect that had himself a decent sophomore season, but he will have to take it to another level come junior year. He has all of the tools to be a standout athlete that can dominate, especially defensively and once he commits to that, doors will open for him. Dawson has great size at 6'3, long arms and is a versatile defender. He can hold up a big and make things tough and also step out on guards and if that versatility is on display in a showcase setting, that's what truly stands out a bit more to me. I will be at the showcase looking for who some of the top defenders are and I have a feeling that Dawson has a chance to make that list.

We're less than a month out from the Expo at Gold Crown on Sunday, September 13th. This is your chance to test yourself against 2026 & 2027 talent from across the state as we all head out under one roof. I will be on-site to evaluate how your game translates in a showcase setting and get an early read heading into the season. Rankings will be updated shortly after, using this as a key baseline.