Rankings Release: The 2027 Shooting Guards

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Next up in our rankings coverage for the <em>Class of 2027</em> are the <em>Shooting Guards</em>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The top overall spot at the <em>Shooting Guard</em> position is held by <em>St. Thomas More's</em> <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='2195047' first='Patrick' last='Otey']</em></strong> (<strong>#1</strong>). A nationally ranked prospect, the 6'5" guard has a versatile offensive game, showcasing multi-level scoring ability and a good feel for the game with the ball in his hands.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below are five more <em>Shooting Guards</em> to watch from our latest update:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2878905"],"_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-68cc9e74b9352"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Merritt, a scoring guard out of the <em>New Hampton School</em>, checks in at <strong><em>#36</em></strong> overall and <strong><em>#9</em></strong> among the <em>shooting guards</em>. Merritt should be one of the better newcomers in the NESCAC<em> </em>this season, with his combination of scoring, playmaking, and defensive versatility. He's a rugged 6'3" guard that plays with skill and toughness, has the ability to make shots from behind the arc, and is evolving as a decision maker with the ball in his hands. Defensively, he can guard any perimeter spot, does a nice job of keeping opponents out of the paint, and isn't afraid to mix it up as a rebounder.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2500987"],"_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-68cc9e74b93ae"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Penix, a scoring guard out of the <em>Winchendon School</em>, checks in at <strong><em>#55</em></strong> overall and <strong><em>#12</em></strong> among the <em>shooting guards</em>. Penix is a 6'5" guard that can really fill it up offensively, excelling in catch and shoot situations and when using his athleticism to attack the rim. He's a big time finisher in transition, does a nice job of finishing plays as a cutter, and has deep range on his jumper. On the other end of the floor, he is able to guard up and down a position, utilizing his length and quickness to make an impact in passing lanes and also on the defensive glass.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2341365"],"_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-68cc9e74b93fb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Civello, a scoring guard out of the <em>St. Sebastian's School</em>, checks in at <strong><em>#138</em></strong> overall and <strong><em>#26</em></strong> among the <em>shooting guards</em>. Civello is one of the better shooters in the region, continuously showing the ability to make threes off the catch and on the move. He does a great job of moving without the basketball, cutting to scoring spots and using screens to get open. He leverages his shooting to open up driving lanes and shows the ability to finish over size in the paint. Defensively, he uses his length to his advantage and is also willing to mix it up on the defensive glass.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2634202"],"_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-68cc9e74b9444"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bowhers, a scoring guard out of the <em>Belmont Hill School</em>, checks in at <strong><em>#163</em></strong> overall and <strong><em>#30</em></strong> among the <em>shooting guards</em>. Bowhers is a confident scorer of the basketball, showing the ability to make tough shots in the mid-range or threes with deep range. He does a nice job of playing at his own speed, uses jab steps and shot fakes to keep defenders off balance, and is a quality mover without the basketball. He makes good decisions with the ball in his hands, is a willing ball mover, and has some defensive versatility that pops with his ability to play angles and understand rotations.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2568447"],"_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-68cc9e74b948c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Thornton, a scoring guard out of the <em>Brimmer &amp; May School</em>, checks in at <strong><em>#177</em></strong> overall and <strong><em>#35</em></strong> among the <em>shooting guards</em>. Thornton is at his best in catch and shoot situations, where he does a nice job of doing his work early and being shot ready on the catch. He moves well without the basketball, does a nice job of running the floor in transition, and has a quick release with deep range on his shot. He's improved with the ball in his hands, can attack a closeout to get to the rim, and is a quality open floor defender that really does a nice job of guarding the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Keep an eye out this week as we continue our positional breakdowns for the <em>Class of 2027</em>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->