2027 Proving Grounds: Who’s Backing up the Hype 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>)      Tatum is a player who had an incredible season as he was the player of the year for his class and brought the school a championship as a sophomore. He has even higher expectations heading into his junior season and made a huge jump in the rankings as a result of the season. I have gone back and forth on how high he is and can be as he has all of the skill, tools, and intangibles, and I want to see it up close to see if he's truly what he's made out to be. September 13th will be a perfect spot to showcase that, and we hope to see him there.     [player_tooltip player_id='2382300' first='Jordan' last=''] is a player that we struggle with. Skill-wise, there may not be a player as smooth of a scorer as [player_tooltip player_id='2382300' first='Jordan' last=''] is, as he's a three-level bucket-getter that can score with the best of them. We want to see it consistently done. He has an extended clip on his jumper, hits the midrange, and also gets to the rim with ease. He also battles defensively and doesn't make it easy for opposing guards. We want him to come out to the event and have a solid day, as we feel it could get him back to where he once was, as we feel that he's a competitor that will head into the season with a chip on his shoulder.     [player_tooltip player_id='2422518' first='Tuff' last='Kelley'] is a state champion this year after he had a monster season and heads into his junior season with a taste of what it feels like at the top. But still he is an overlooked prospect that can turn more heads by battling and dominating the prospects in higher classifications. Kelley is a multi-sport standout who is one of the best athletes at any small school across the state. He can take over on either side of the ball and with a big showing can rise even more and be a more relevant name. We'd love to have him.     Stevens was a summer standout as a glue guy with high upside, but I believe there's more to his game. He appears to do whatever is asked of him as a coach's dream as a player, you don't have to run plays for to get him going. Well, in a showcase showing, that is exactly what it is, him being productive, using his size, and making plays. He checks off all boxes for a productive playe,r and the more we see of him, the more that we like him. I feel he will have a standout year and this can be a glimpse of that. He can come and take over at our event and show all that he has to offer.     Bodhi was a summer standout for [program_tooltip program_id='2075463' first='Elevation' last='Flyers'] and after a stellar summer, I firmly believe he's a player that many will be knowing more about this upcoming season. He's so comfortable with the ball in his hands as a scorer but also a facilitator that gets to wherever he wants on the court. He has an inside-out game, can play both on and off of the ball and when he's hot, it will be tough for players to slow him down. He's a player that will catch many by surprise this year as he did with us this summer and a big showing will confirm what we've been seeing – that he's a player that schools should be knocking on the door for. He should come to Expo and get more film on him.     I've heard that Jegede is arguably the top shooter in the state. He's a knockdown shooter that can create off the dribble. He has a quick release where he shoots over defenders and has shown us that there's more to his game. He's got good size and continuing to grow and with that combination of size and skill he looks to be a prospect with a high ceiling. We'd love to see him in a showcase setting where he can prove to be a lead guard as well as take over in times in an unfamiliar setting. We're intrigued by him as an athlete, he is ranked as one of the top players in the class and a big showing can prove why he should be looked at more of a riser.

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.