Central Cali's Class of 2027 Top 10 Player Rankings

This is the 3rd version of these player rankings for the Class of 2027, which have previously been featured on the Nothing But Net Magazine website. I have updated this list to include the Spring and Summer club sessions, and the Scholastic Live Periods of June. I have expanded this list from 40 to 55 players from around the Central Section. This list of players was compiled using my own evaluations, along with feedback from knowledgeable media, coaches, and other relevant basketball personnel from the Section, to make up the top 55 rising junior prospects for this updated round of player rankings for the 2027 Class. However, the order of players on this list is my own. I will update these rankings by the end of the calendar year and expand the number of players if needed. This list takes into consideration two key factors in determining where players are ranked, and will be the same criteria used each time this list is updated. The criteria for these rankings are as follows: current skill level and production on the court, as well as future projection at the collegiate level. The depth of this class combined with the impact many have had since their freshman year, has led to some impressive statistics and numbers that will set some on track to achieve key milestones and even school records. Below is the top 10 players for the 2027 graduation class, and will be followed by players ranked #11 through #20. In this article, you will find the following information: current rank, their previous rank in parentheses, the player's name, height, player position, and current school attending. We begin this updated list with one of the top combo guards in the Section, if not the State, [player_tooltip player_id='2436278' first='Malcolm' last='Price'].   1 (2) [player_tooltip player_id='2436278' first='Malcolm' last='Price'] |6'1| CG (St. Joseph)    Making his debut at the top of the class of 2027 player rankings, joining his brother Julius who is #1 for the 2026 class, is the dynamic lead guard, [player_tooltip player_id='2436278' first='Malcolm' last='Price']. Price was a key part of the Knight's core from last season, which won the D1 Section Title and the Elite 8 in the State Open Division, averaging 11 points, 4 assists, and 3 rebounds per game, and was the team's 3rd leading scorer. Price had a sensational Spring and Summer with Team Why Not 16s, as one of the team's top 3-point shooters, as well as stellar play in the two scholastic live period events in June in Arizona and California. Price will likely be the Knight's second leading scorer this coming season, and with his defensive tenacity, he will continue to be assigned to opponents' best perimeter player. Price has dynamic handles, keeps it on a string, has great shift and movement when creating off the dribble, with the use of the hesitation, crossover, and behind the back cross to shake his defender, with the ability to knock down tough shots from the mid-range to the 3-point line with consistency. Price has nice body control through contact around the basket, has touch on the floater, gets lift on the jumper to shoot over taller players, and creativity on finishes around the basket. Price has great court vision and makes good decisions to find teammates when on the attack off the dribble drive, great footwork and lateral movement to stay in front of his opponent, with active hands to disrupt the opponent's dribbling space and create turnovers. Despite playing on a national stage with St. Joseph and Team Why Not, Price is still underrated as a national prospect, but does hold offers from Minnesota.   2 (1) [player_tooltip player_id='2436295' first='Godson' last='Eyita'] |6'9| PF (St. Joseph)    Moving down one spot and coming in at #2 is the rising junior big fella from St. Joseph, [player_tooltip player_id='2436295' first='Godson' last='Eyita']. Godson attended our annual Next Up Showcase in August of 2024, an event I use to evaluate the next wave of talent in the Central Section, and absolutely dominated the event, That showing, along with his play last Spring and Summer for Team Why Not earned him the top spot in these rankings the last time this list was updated. However, due to the stellar play of his high school teammate, I decided to move Eyita down a spot. Godson earned solid minutes last season for the nationally ranked top 15 Knights, but his production on the court was not what I had anticipated it to be, as senior Matas Siskauskas earned the starting spot at the center position. Eyita had one of his best games of the season in the Knight's Open Division QF loss to Notre Dame Sherman Oak, as he would cause fits for consensus 2026 nationally ranked #1 player in [player_tooltip player_id='1702934' first='Tyran' last='Stokes'], with the size and agility to force him into tough shots. Eyita had a solid Spring and Summer with Team Why Not 16s, as the premier big for the team, as well as quality play for St. Joseph at Section 7 in Arizona, and California's Scholastic Live event, as he seemed to be a better fit for the Knights in the post-Tounde era. Eyita is a beast on the glass, alters/blocks shots at a high clip around the basket, has good footwork and back-to-the-basket moves to score the ball in the paint, with touch on the float hook, can space the floor with the 3-ball, and can put it on the deck and attack from the top of the key. Defensively, he has the physical build to hold up against any bigs, and good timing and extension with his wingspan to alter perimeter shots. Eyita will be tasked with holding down the interior on both ends this coming season and will make up a 3-headed monster of bigs for the Knights, with rising senior [player_tooltip player_id='2131807' first='Abdoul' last='Bare'] and rising sophomore Williams Sacre, and will be the front-runners to win the D1 Section Title.    3 (8) [player_tooltip player_id='2646533' first='Taiwo' last='Daramola'] |6'8| PF (Bakersfield Christian)   Daramola moves up 5 spots in this updated list of player rankings and comes in at #3. The athletic and strong forward had a breakout sophomore season for the Eagles, who won the SYVL and was a key part of Bakersfield Christian's run to the D2 State Final 4, as he would average 11 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 blocks per game. Daramola played club ball this Spring and Summer for CPSA 16s on the PRO16 Circuit, and was impressive at both scholastic live periods in Arizona and California, displaying the elite bounce and quick leaping ability for monstrous dunks and blocks that sent the ball into the crowd. Daramola crashes the boards, uses his quick and bouncy leaping ability to be a high-level rim protector in the paint, with the lateral quickness to switch on perimeter players and alter jump shots, and looks to punch in anything close to the basket. Daramola has nice touch around the basket, has solid post moves to score in the paint, can connect on the jumper from the mid-post, and on occasion can space the floor with the 3-ball. Daramola is dangerous when playing off the ball and finding the dunker spot opposite teammates attacking the paint, for easy drop off passes for points at or above the rim. He recently received an offer from New Mexico State.   4 (2) [player_tooltip player_id='2560849' first='Cobi' last='Posas'] |6'6| WF (Roosevelt)   Posas has been a staple in the top 5 of this list since I first compiled it nearly 2 years ago, and comes in at #4 on this updated list. Although Posas moved down a few spots, that is not due to his play slipping, but the play of Price and Daramola taking big leaps, as both have earned D1 offers in the past few months. Posas had an outstanding sophomore season for Roosevelt, as he averaged 18 points, 10 rebounds, 3 blocks, and 2 steals per game and earned 1st Team All-CMAC 2 League. Posas played with Jalen Green Elite 16s on the 3SSB Circuit and impacted the game in countless ways, as he does in any format of basketball he plays in. Posas is a lengthy and active wing/forward that controls the glass, has the handle to push the ball up the court, uses his wingspan and versatility to alter shots in the paint, as well as in the post, has active hands to disrupt the dribbling space of his opponent, which leads to steals and transition buckets. Posas is accurate with the jumper from the mid-range to the 3-point line, off the dribble or the catch, has nice touch on the hook floater within 15 feet, and can punch it in the half court setting. Posas moves well off the ball to find the dunker spot, and has the handles and crossover move to create off the dribble, get by his initial defender, and decent court vision to find players when he doesn't have an open shot. He is a nightmare to defend, because he can pull bigs away from the basket and get by them, or simply shoot over smaller defenders. I expect him to put up great numbers again this season, and make a run at a league MVP.    5 (5) [player_tooltip player_id='2194700' first='Jeremias' last='Killebrew'] |6'5| WG (Bakersfield Christian)   Rounding out the top 5 and holding steady at this spot from the last round of player rankings for this class is [player_tooltip player_id='2194700' first='Jeremias' last='Killebrew']. Killebrew made a big jump in his offensive production his sophomore season and was a key part of the Eagles success, especially in the D2 State playoffs, as he would average 13 points and 6 rebounds a game, and provided that second scoring punch behind the dynamic lead guard, and recent graduate, Gabe Gutierrez. Killebrew started the Spring club season off playing with CPSA 16s, but did not continue with them in the Summer. Killebrew had solid showings at both Section 7 and California Scholastic Live, and is primed to be the team's leading scorer for the upcoming season. Killebrew is a true 3-level scorer, with the handle and moves to create space from his defender, gets great lift on the jumper, and with his length he is tough for perimeter players to defend. Killebrew makes good use of the crossover, behind the back cross, and the spin move to evade his defender, and has body control through contact at the basket, as well as on the mid-range jumper. Killebrew moves well off the ball, is accurate with the 3-ball off the bounce or the catch, and can take flight down the lane, the baseline, or in the open court. He uses his quick leaping ability and length to alter shots in the paint, as well as on the perimeter, and is looking to have an MVP season. He has offers from Cal Baptists and San Marcos, but the staff there has changed so not sure of the current status of that one. Either way, a D1 talent with the ability to play multiple positions on the court on both sides of the ball.     6 (7) Ethan Saenz |5'11| PG (North Bakersfield)   Saenz is coming of a sensational sophomore season and has moved up one spot to #6 in this updated list. The poised and efficient lead guard was the catalyst behind the Stars 2nd consecutive D3 Section Title, another SYML championship, and his first SYML MVP, as well as the Player of the Game in the Section Championship with 33 points. Saenz averaged 19 points and 6.5 per game, which highlights his ability to make plays or to create his own offense. Saenz decided to forgo playing club ball this Spring and Summer, and played with his high school team throughout the Summer. He will be a heavy favorite to repeat as SYML MVP, but that will depend on the much younger North Stars squad this coming season and how they perform in league play. Saenz keeps the ball on a string, dribbles with a purpose, makes great use of the hesitation move and the low crossover to create space from his defender, weaves through the defense with creativity on the finish at the basket, and has touch on the floater. Saenz is efficient with the jumper off the dribble or the catch, as he moves well off the ball to get open looks, is dynamic in pick and roll play, with the court vision to find the roller or the open shooter, if not find the opening to score of his own shot. Saenz plays with a fluid and controlled pace, has a nice burst of speed off the dribble, and can score in volume with range on the 3-ball.    7 (6) [player_tooltip player_id='2273494' first='Zander' last='Jensen'] |6'4| PG (Hanford)   Jensen moves down one spot in this updated list and comes in at #7. Jensen had an up and down sophomore season after leading the Rangers in scoring his freshman season, but he picked up his level of play once the club season started, as he would play for Clutch Elite 16s on the NXTPRO Circuit. Jensen also transferred to Hanford and was really good all June with the Bullpups, scoring 30 plus in his first game with his new team. He continued that high level of play in July back with Clutch Elite and put up some quality numbers. Jensen is a big and physical lead guard that plays with good pace and control, gets a good burst off the dribble with the frame to absorb contact en route to the basket, and is crafty scoring around the basket. Jensen hunts his shot spots, gets to the elbows for the mid-range jumper where his is highly efficient, and is accurate with the 3-ball, off the dribble or the catch. He is a great positional rebounder with the handle and court vision to push the pace of play in the open court. Jensen has good court vision and makes quality decisions with the ball to find open teammates when on the attack or from the top of the key. A big junior season is expected and he will be the driving force for Hanford.    8 (4) Asher Thompson |6'6| WF (Clovis East)   Moving down four spots and dropping in at #8 is Asher Thompson. Thompson is one of the more skilled and crafty players in this class, but this past year has been a lot for the rising junior. He started the season off with Clovis East, but parted ways with the team midway through the year and did not return. Thompson did play club ball this Spring and Summer with What Wins 17s, and from what I have been told and the stats I have seen, he played well in MADE Hoops events in Cali, along with other events. I am not sure what his plans are to date, if he stays at Clovis East or transfers out, but I do hope that he is on the court this coming high school season because he is truly one of the more talented and versatile prospects in the Section regardless of class. Thompson crashes the boards relentlessly, has the wingspan and timing to be a true rim protector with the agility to close out on perimeter players, can push the ball off the glass up the court, and makes good reads up the court. Thompson makes good reads to find open teammates from the top of the key, has the handles to create off the dribble with the moves to score in the paint or from the perimeter, and can connect on the 3-ball with regularity. Thompson has touch around the basket, a smooth stroke on the mid-range jumper, and a nice hook floater to shoot over taller post players.    9 (10) Ty Schalk |6'2| SG (San Joaquin Memorial)   Schalk moves up one spot and lands at #9 on this updated list of player rankings. Schalk played the catch and shoot role for the Panthers this past season, as he is one of the top 3-point shooters in the Section, but was relied upon much more in the month of June in both the Arizona and California scholastic live events to be one of the team's leading scorers. Schalk played club ball this Spring with Jaylen Wells Elite 16s on the NXTPRO Circuit, but finished off the Summer club season playing with Moore Management/OC Pride 17s at the Big Time event in Las Vegas. Schalk has a good handle on the ball, makes good use of the crossover or hesitation move to create space from his defender, is an efficient shooter from the mid-range to the 3-point line, and is a sniper from beyond the arc with range on the 3-ball. Schalk has good size, moves fluidly off the ball to get open looks, and is a good positional rebounder. Schalk has continued to develop his game, and is capable of playing the lead guard position when needed, and has good court vision to make timely passes when the defense over pursues on the perimeter. Schalk will be a key piece for the Panthers this season and called upon to be more than a catch and shoot guy, but a valued scoring asset.    10 (9) Damon Jackson |6'4| CG (Clovis)   Jackson rounds out the top 10 and moves down one spot in this updated list of player rankings. Jackson had a solid sophomore season and was one of the top scorers for the Cougars, who boasted a roster blended with youth and veteran guard play. Jackson looked really good for Clovis over the Summer in the events I saw him play in like Clovis North's Nike Shootout. Jackson has a smooth jumper with efficiency from the mid-range to the 3-point line, has the moves with the toss-crossover and the in-and-out dribble to create space from his defender, and is at his best offensively when he is hunting the pull-up jumper. Jackson moves well off the ball to get open looks off the catch, has active hands on defense to generate turnovers and transition buckets, and has good timing to jump passing lanes and deflect passes. Jackson has good size, plays with good pace and control, has a nice burst off the dribble, and is a good positional rebounder that can push the pace of play. Jackson will be one of the key pieces for the young Clovis squad that has a lot of talent.

This is the 3rd version of these player rankings for the Class of 2027, which have previously been featured on the Nothing But Net Magazine website. I have updated this list to include the Spring and Summer club sessions, and the Scholastic Live Periods of June. I have expanded this list from 40 to 55 players from around the Central Section. This list of players was compiled using my own evaluations, along with feedback from knowledgeable media, coaches, and other relevant basketball personnel from the Section, to make up the top 55 rising junior prospects for this updated round of player rankings for the 2027 Class. However, the order of players on this list is my own. I will update these rankings by the end of the calendar year and expand the number of players if needed. This list takes into consideration two key factors in determining where players are ranked, and will be the same criteria used each time this list is updated. The criteria for these rankings are as follows: current skill level and production on the court, as well as future projection at the collegiate level. The depth of this class combined with the impact many have had since their freshman year, has led to some impressive statistics and numbers that will set some on track to achieve key milestones and even school records. Below is the top 10 players for the 2027 graduation class, and will be followed by players ranked #11 through #20. In this article, you will find the following information: current rank, their previous rank in parentheses, the player's name, height, player position, and current school attending. We begin this updated list with one of the top combo guards in the Section, if not the State, Malcolm Price Malcolm Price 6'0" | PG St. Joseph | 2027 State CA-S .