2027 Rankings: Point Guards Breaking Through

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In a guard-heavy Arkansas class where competition is tight, these five prospects are breaking through as true risers, each carving out a lane with distinct tools. With little time and a lot of ground to cover, they have their work cut out for them as they look to climb the rankings and raise their stock.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2473516"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68a65fd06e2c5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Strickland is the wild card with the highest ceiling. At 6'5", he's a big guard with vision and mismatch potential. He's still refining his shot and decision-making, but the flashes are nice, especially in transition and ball-screen settings. If the trajectory holds, he could be a top-tier name in this class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2398297"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68a65fd06e360"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Undersized but unshakable, Black is a tempo-changer with a mature feel for the game. His tight handle and quick trigger allow him to control pace and attack gaps. What sets him apart is his poise—he's a floor general who doesn't flinch under pressure. As his frame and game fills out, expect his stock to keep climbing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2397928"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68a65fd06e3b1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rhodes is a twitchy creator who thrives off the bounce. His first step allows him to beat defenders clean and get into the paint. He's also shown the ability to generate perimeter looks off the dribble, using quick hesitations and step-backs to create separation. That dual-threat scoring profile makes him a tough cover and a rising name in a deep 2027 guard class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2821505"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68a65fd06e3f1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Young is a confident perimeter threat with a smooth stroke from deep. He's shown the ability to knock down threes off the catch, giving him instant value in guard-heavy lineups. He's currently more scorer than initiator, there's room for growth as a ball handler and decision-maker. As he tightens his handle and gains reps running the offense, he could evolve into a true point guard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2272329"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68a65fd06e42f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Neipling is a smart lead guard who thrives in structure but can also create off-script. He's a connector, willing passer, and reliable ball-handler. His size and IQ give him a translatable floor, and his recent growth in assertiveness has some even re-evaluating his ceiling.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->