My Top 25: Missouri’s Best in the 2027 Class

As I shift my focus to Missouri's Class of 2027, it's clear that this group features a strong mix of top-tier talent and emerging prospects who are steadily making a name for themselves. The class includes several high-caliber players who have already drawn attention at the state and national levels, alongside a growing list of rising talents whose development over the next couple of years will be worth watching closely. What makes this class particularly intriguing is the potential for movement — players continuing to grow physically, refine their skills, and gain exposure through high-level competition. As always, it will be fascinating to track their progress through the remainder of their high school careers and to see where their journeys take them at the next level, whether it be college programs or beyond.   20. [player_tooltip player_id='2334930' first='Brandon' last='Rooks'] | 6'1" Guard | Battle | [program_tooltip program_id='2075378' first='MPJ' last='Elite']   Widely regarded as an impactful and high-IQ floor general, Rooks brings a level of composure and control that sets the tone for his team on both ends of the court. As a lead guard, he plays with impressive pace and tempo, constantly keeping defenses on their heels. His ability to read defensive schemes and force opponents into difficult decisions allows him to exploit mismatches and make timely, effective counters -- whether it's finding an open teammate, attacking a gap, or creating his own shot. Offensively, Brandon is a highly efficient and versatile scorer. His elite outside shooting, paired with a lightning-quick release, makes him a constant threat from beyond the arc -- even when tightly contested or guarded by longer defenders. He has a natural feel for creating separation, and his ability to get his shot off in a variety of ways adds a valuable dimension to his team's offensive arsenal. Beyond his scoring, his court awareness and willingness to make the extra pass make him an unselfish playmaker. One of Rooks' standout qualities is his transition play. He consistently looks to advance the ball up the floor with purpose, often pitching it ahead to teammates in stride. This proactive approach not only speeds up the game but also creates early offense opportunities, allowing his team to capitalize before defenses are fully set. Now stepping into a central leadership role for Battle, Rooks will need to embrace the responsibility of guiding a talented group with championship aspirations.   19. [player_tooltip player_id='2194413' first='Adam' last='McKnight'] | 6'4" Forward | Nixa   McKnight is a standout multi-sport athlete whose physical tools -- size, strength, and athleticism -- make him a game-changer in all facets. His impact often extends beyond traditional statistics, as he consistently makes the kind of hustle plays that shift momentum and energize his team. Whether it's diving for loose balls, getting deflections, forcing turnovers, or creating extra possessions, Adam plays with a relentless motor that sets the tone on both ends of the court. On the glass, McKnight is dominant. He rebounds at a high rate, both in traffic and in space, showing excellent instincts and physicality. Offensively, he's a reliable finisher around the rim, able to absorb contact and convert with either hand. His ability to play through physicality makes him a consistent interior threat and a problem for opposing defenses. Defensively, Adam is as versatile as they come. With elite lateral quickness, strong footwork, and explosive athleticism, he's capable of guarding all five positions effectively. He takes pride in locking down opponents, disrupting rhythm, and forcing teams out of their offensive flow. Heading into this winter, McKnight is poised to take on an expanded leadership role for Nixa. As he steps into this responsibility, McKnight has the ability to elevate the entire program and lead a deep run toward a potential Final Four appearance in Columbia.   18. [player_tooltip player_id='2534722' first='Keller' last='Daugherty'] | 6'9" Forward | Lee's Summit | VWBA Elite   Keller is a highly intriguing prospect who could very well climb even higher on this list, especially after a strong and productive summer that earned him multiple offers at the next level. He possesses a rare blend of size, length, and skill that's not commonly seen at the high school level, making him a matchup problem on both ends of the floor. Offensively, Keller continues to show impressive growth. As he fills out his frame and adds strength, his ability to create off the bounce and finish in the paint becomes even more effective. He has the touch and footwork to score around the rim, but what sets him apart is his perimeter shooting. With a high release point and clean, efficient shooting mechanics, Keller is a consistent threat from three, even when closely contested. His scoring versatility allows him to stretch the floor or attack mismatches off the dribble, depending on the defensive coverage. Beyond scoring, Daugherty demonstrates a strong feel for the game. He rebounds well on both ends, using his length and timing to secure extra possessions and start fast breaks. His basketball IQ is evident in how he reads defenses, makes smart decisions with the ball, and consistently chooses the right play -- even when under pressure. Despite Lee's Summit facing some inconsistency last season, Keller is positioned to step into a bigger leadership role this winter. With his experience, growing confidence, and continued development, he has the tools to be a foundational piece for the program. Look for him to help set the tone nightly and give his team a chance to compete at a high level as they aim to make a serious push during district play.   17. <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/mike-thomas-iii-2/">Mike Thomas III</a> | 6'6" Forward | Summit Christian | KC Run GMC   Mike is another versatile forward whose skill set allows him to consistently impact games both on the perimeter and in the paint. A left-handed player with a somewhat unconventional style, Thomas uses his unique approach to his advantage -- producing at a high level while keeping defenders off balance. He's a dynamic athlete who finishes above the rim with ease, bringing energy and physicality around the basket. But what makes him especially dangerous is his ability to stretch the floor. Thomas can knock down the three with consistency, whether off the catch or pulling up off the dribble, making him a true inside-out threat. His shooting touch and confidence from deep force defenders to guard him closely, opening up driving lanes and mismatches. Thanks to his combination of length, agility, and athleticism, Thomas creates problems for a wide range of defenders. Against smaller wings or guards, he uses his size to overpower and finish at the rim. Against traditional bigs, he takes advantage of slower foot speed to beat them off the dribble or space them out on the perimeter. Following a breakout sophomore campaign, Thomas is now stepping into a primary leadership role for Summit Christian. As the team's go-to option, he'll be looked upon to anchor both the scoring and defensive efforts while setting the tone with his effort and versatility. With his continued development and expanding offensive arsenal, Thomas has the potential to lead Summit Christian on another deep postseason run -- this time with sights firmly set on bringing home a state championship.   16. [player_tooltip player_id='2334926' first='Kyrese' last='Simpson'] | 5'11" Guard | Hillcrest | Iso Joe   Simpson is a dynamic lead guard with elite ball-handling ability and poise, consistently keeping defenders off balance and creating space to operate frequently. He thrives with the ball in his hands, using a tight handle, sharp change of pace, and excellent body control to get into the paint and collapse defenses. Once there, he showcases a polished in-between game, regularly converting floaters and runners with touch and precision over help-side defenders. What sets Simpson apart is his ability to read the floor and manipulate defensive coverages. He excels at navigating advantages -- keeping defenders on his hip and using pace and angles to force rotations. He's not only a capable distributor but also a flashy and creative passer, often threading the needle or delivering high-level dimes that get teammates easy looks. His vision and timing make him a catalyst for ball movement and offensive flow. Simpson is also a strong mid-range shooter, capable of pulling up abruptly off the dribble and knocking down shots with consistency. His quick release and elevation make his pull-up jumper difficult to contest. Around the rim, he plays with toughness and craft, using his body well to initiate contact and absorb physicality, finishing through defenders with a combination of finesse and grit. Despite Hillcrest's ups and downs last season, Kyrese enters this winter ready to lead with his competitive fire, playmaking ability, and refined offensive skill set. As the engine of the team, he has the tools to elevate Hillcrest's level of play and potentially surprise opponents with a more consistent and dangerous team performance throughout the season.

As I shift my focus to Missouri's Class of 2027, it's clear that this group features a strong mix of top-tier talent and emerging prospects who are steadily making a name for themselves. The class includes several high-caliber players who have already drawn attention at the state and national levels, alongside a growing list of rising talents whose development over the next couple of years will be worth watching closely. What makes this class particularly intriguing is the potential for movement — players continuing to grow physically, refine their skills, and gain exposure through high-level competition. As always, it will be fascinating to track their progress through the remainder of their high school careers and to see where their journeys take them at the next level, whether it be college programs or beyond.