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.   10. [player_tooltip player_id='2334909' first='Will' last='Powers'] | 6'4" Guard | Westminster Christian | MOKAN   Will has taken major strides physically over the past few months, and that growth has directly elevated his game. Now stronger, more explosive, and more confident, Powers is emerging as one of the more complete scoring guards in the area. He's an elite offensive weapon -- particularly dangerous with the ball in his hands -- where he thrives using jab steps, head fakes, and footwork to manipulate defenders and create space. Powers is especially strong when finishing off two feet, showing excellent balance and the ability to absorb contact and still convert around the rim. His body control and touch make him tough to stop once he gets downhill. From the perimeter, he's highly efficient -- connecting at a high rate from three with a smooth, quick release. He can shoot it off the catch or off the dribble, and has the confidence to pull up in rhythm from a variety of spots on the floor. While he's effective as a primary ball-handler, Powers is just as valuable off the ball. He moves with purpose and intelligence, reading defenses and timing his cuts to free himself up or open space for teammates. His off-ball awareness and willingness to make the right play show a mature understanding of the game. Last season, Powers led Westminster Christian to several impressive wins, often serving as the engine of their offense. Heading into this winter, he's poised to take another leap -- both as a scorer and a leader. With his growing physical tools and multi-level scoring ability, he'll be a key factor in Westminster's push for a deep postseason run.   9. [player_tooltip player_id='2894779' first='Brock' last='Bass-Bonner'] | 6'8" Forward | Cardinal Ritter | [program_tooltip program_id='2075324' first='Brad' last='Beal Elite']   Brock is a rapidly emerging prospect with intriguing upside at the forward position. Possessing excellent length and athleticism, he brings versatility and explosiveness to the floor -- especially as a slasher and finisher. Bass-Bonner thrives when attacking closeouts, using his quick first step and long strides to get downhill and finish at the rim. He's capable of rising above defenders for emphatic finishes or using his crafty left hand to score through traffic with touch and creativity. What makes him even more valuable is his understanding of offensive movement, particularly in ball screen actions. He's effective in both pick-and-roll and pick-and-pop situations, knowing when to slip, dive, or flare based on how the defense plays the action. His feel for timing and spacing allows him to operate well within structured offenses, making him a smart and reliable option on the floor. As a shooter, Bass-Bonner has shown solid perimeter range. While not the primary focus of his game, he's capable of stepping out and hitting open threes or mid-range jumpers when the defense collapses, adding another layer to his offensive profile. This winter, Brock will join a stacked Cardinal Ritter roster with high expectations and national aspirations. As he continues to develop and find his role within a loaded lineup, he'll be counted on to bring energy, versatility, and playmaking -- key ingredients for a team looking to make a deep postseason run and gain national recognition along the way.   8. Gassim Toure | 6'2" Guard | Principia | Gateway Knights   Gassim has been one of the most heavily recruited guards in the region this summer, continuing to rack up Division I offers -- and for good reason. A true two-way impact player, Toure brings energy, explosiveness, and control to both ends of the floor. His ability to take over games starts with his elite quickness and shiftiness with the ball in his hands. He consistently creates space off the bounce, breaking down defenders and generating high-percentage looks for himself or easy opportunities for teammates. In transition, Toure is electric. He thrives in the open floor, using his speed and athleticism to attack the rim with force. Whether it's finishing with creativity or throwing down emphatic dunks, he puts pressure on defenses the moment he crosses half-court. His ability to push tempo and make plays in the open court gives his team a constant offensive spark. Defensively, Toure is just as impactful. He plays with intensity, focus, and a real edge -- disrupting offensive flow, jumping passing lanes, and forcing turnovers with active hands. His lateral quickness and anticipation make him a tough on-ball defender, capable of locking down opposing guards and applying full-court pressure. As his recruitment continues to rise, Toure remains focused on being a complete player -- balancing scoring, playmaking, and elite-level defense. Toure will also be a key piece for Principia as they look to run it back as state champions this upcoming season.   7. [player_tooltip player_id='2334910' first='Sekou' last='Cisse'] | 6'9" Forward | Principia | Gateway Knights   Sekou is firmly established as one of the top big men in the country -- and for good reason. At a legitimate 6'9”, he's a game-changing presence on both ends of the floor with a rare blend of size, touch, mobility, and skill. His impact is felt immediately when he's on the court, and he continues to separate himself as a high-level prospect with the ability to dominate in multiple ways. Offensively, he has incredibly soft hands, which allow him to secure tough catches in traffic, finish dump-offs in tight spaces, and clean up on the offensive glass. Around the rim, he scores at a very high percentage with either hand, using his length and body control to finish through contact or over defenders. His reaction time and footwork are advanced, making him a constant threat on second-chance opportunities and in short-roll situations. Where Sekou is especially dangerous is in transition. He runs the floor with purpose, routinely beating opposing bigs down the court. Once he gets to the rim, defenses are forced to collapse, which opens up kick-out and dump-off opportunities for teammates -- or results in powerful finishes from Cisse himself. He's also far more than just a traditional post player. Cisse has shown advanced passing ability for his position, whether initiating offense from the high post, making reads on the move, or finding cutters out of double teams. His vision and unselfishness make him a connector within the offense, capable of keeping the ball moving and making plays beyond just scoring. Defensively, his length and timing allow him to protect the rim at a high level, alter shots in the paint, and close out on shooters when necessary. His ability to anchor the paint while also moving his feet on the perimeter gives him tremendous versatility on that end of the floor. Sekou will once again be the anchor for a loaded Principia squad aiming to repeat as state champions. With his combination of physical tools, skill development, and basketball IQ, he's not only the centerpiece of Principia's title hopes -- but one of the most intriguing big-man prospects in the country.   6. Jimmy McKinney III | 6'1" Guard | Vashon | [program_tooltip program_id='2075324' first='Brad' last='Beal Elite']   Jimmy has established himself as one of the premier guards in the state -- and he could easily be considered a top-five prospect on this list. A well-known name in Missouri basketball circles for several years, McKinney continues to elevate his game with each season, showing steady growth in his skillset, maturity, and leadership. Offensively, he's lightning-quick off the dribble and has the ability to create his own shot at will. Whether operating in isolation or within the flow of the offense, he consistently finds ways to generate high-quality looks. His ball-handling is tight and deliberate, allowing him to break defenders down and keep pressure on the defense at all times. He excels at initiating offense, creating advantages, and reading defenses with poise -- making him equally effective as a scorer and facilitator. McKinney's scoring versatility is what truly separates him. He has deep range on his jumper and confidently knocks down threes off the bounce, often creating space with step-backs or quick hesitations. He's just as dangerous in the mid-range, where he can pull up in rhythm or use change-of-direction moves to freeze defenders. His ability to score from all three levels -- while keeping his head up and making the right reads -- makes him one of the most complete offensive guards in the region. This winter, Jimmy will be the unquestioned leader of a stacked Vashon squad that enters the season with championship expectations. With his confidence, skill, and experience, he'll be the driving force behind a team looking to return to Columbia and cut down the nets once again.

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.