Class of 2027 Rankings: 3 Big Storylines

Joc vs Tyson aka 1A vs 1B   The limitation of numbers based rankings rears its ugly head again with the coin flip decision that comes between [player_tooltip player_id='2140800' first='Tyson' last='Pogi'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2140748' first='Jacques' last='Mitchell'] for the top spot. Both are accomplished on the national level with their AAU programs, and dominated in high school. Despite both being of similar height and being ball dominant guards, they have about as different playing styles as possible. Either at the top spot would be a fantastic representative of Oklahoma's Class of 2027. It really comes down to what type of lead guard a college is looking for.    Mitchell is arguably the best athlete in the Class of 2027, with eye popping leaping ability, speed and strength. He's handful to keep out of the paint, and has seen his jumper steadily improve. Money in the mid-range and a streaky but improving shooter from three.   In his two years at Booker T Washington, he's played in two Class 5A State Title games, winning one and finishing runner up in the other. There's a very good chance he'll join the rare air of playing for four straight State Titles while a Hornet.   The college offers have started to flow for Mitchell. He trends to being more of a two guard than a true point. There's good moments of vision and unselfishness in transition. But the can ball can stick in his hands in halfcourt sets. In Oklahoma, he can often be an one man wrecking crew, but as he progresses to the highest levels of basketball his feel while playing within structure must improve. Becoming a true point guard would maximize his high ceiling. Which is why Arizona State, TCU, Mississippi State and Ole Miss are among his growing offer list.     Pogi is arguably the best shooter in the Class of 2027, with parking lot range. He has elite handles, and always seems to dictate the pace of play. Not overly fast or bouncy when compared to elite prospects, but it doesn't matter. As he can get wherever he wants on the court with his handles and unleash his outstanding shooting touch. Floaters and acrobatic finishes at the rim compliment his long range sniper rep.   While at times he can be score first and ball dominant, he has shown growth as a creator and promising vision as a passer. The glimpses as a passer and knack for making highlight reel passes are one of his best possible long term traits. Defense is the area that college coaches could nitpick at, but his offensive gifts are such that there are work arounds. Especially as he has a great feel for the game and appears that he would understand and buy into college defensive coverages.   Oklahoma State, where his father played QB at, headlines his current offer list. Pogi is such an unique offensive weapon that more offers should continue to flow in. Especially if he continues his work at finding the right balance between being a walking flamthrow from three and elevating the play of his teammates.        The Best Shooter in the Class is?   When going through the class of 2027, one aspect stands out. Top tier shooters. Let's start with the aforementioned [player_tooltip player_id='2140800' first='Tyson' last='Pogi']. Considering the degree of difficultly of the shots he takes and the national competition he's played against; it'd be easy to pen him in for the top spot. But he's not alone as players who can change games from deep. Here's three more in 2027 who are also top tier shooters.    Duffie has turned into the traditional version of a spot up, floor spacing threat. Odds are if his feet are set and within 25 feet, the shot is going in. The shooting, his height and overall play give him a very translatable skillset to the next level. He's a smart and physical defender, who can switch along the perimeter between 1-3. And when he drives, he's becoming a stronger finisher. While also being an unselfish and team first player, making the right passes. Lunch pail type player, who has one of the higher floors when it comes to finding and excelling in a role at the next level.     Lyon is developing quite the bag to compliment his sniping ability. Has a signature stepback from deep. Which he has made more sudden and violent as he's matured, creating more space for his jumper. After opponents overplay him to prevent threes, he's capable of taking them to the mid-range. Where he's a tough shot maker, with outstanding body control and focus. Does good work off the ball too, which should help hit the floor faster at the next level. With improvements on defense and as a passer, Lyon is quickly becoming a complete guard.     A pure sniper, with the most microwavable ability on this list. When he's got it going from three, the rim might as well be on fire. Has a pure and repeatable shooting form, that makes it look like every shot is going on. At times in past viewings, his shot selection can be questionable. As he does love a heat check, especially from deep. Now as an upperclassman with a sneaky talented Rocket squad around him, look for his shot efficiency to increase. As his ability to gun it from deep will play a big part in another posssible State Tournament appearance for MSM. This time with a longer stay.    The Difficulty of Evaluating 2 Sport Stars   At least 5 of the best players in Oklahoma's Class of 2027 will likely be going to college for a different sport. Any list of the top players in Oklahoma would be incomplete without [player_tooltip player_id='2327106' first='Cooper' last='Hackett'], [player_tooltip player_id='2326939' first='Gabe' last='Osborne'], [player_tooltip player_id='2140743' first='Greydon' last='Howell'], [player_tooltip player_id='2439787' first='Chauncey' last='Cravens'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2352732' first='TJ' last='Williams']. Hackett, Osborne and Howell are already rolling in offers from football programs from the biggest programs in the country. Cravens is the QB for Edmond North, and it might be more of a toss up if he's a football player or a point guard at the next level. And [player_tooltip player_id='2352732' first='TJ' last='Williams'] is quite unique in that the sport he could be playing in college is baseball.   Osborne, Hackett and Howell all could play college basketball if they dedicated themselves to it. But it's fair to say their basketball talents would not take them to as high of a level as they currently are being recruited in football. And while the versatility and high school memories that come with being multi sports stars are simply amazing. Focusing on football also means they are not the best possible basketball versions of themselves. In years past with similar prospects, it has been noticeable that the added to weight for football isn't always the best when it comes to maximizing basketball potential and production. They are all such gifted athletes they will still be among be among the best players in Oklahoma, likely competing for State Championships and earning individual accolades. So their inclusion in this list is important in capturing an accurate representation of the Class of 2027.      In the age of combo and score first guards, Cravens is a rarity as a throwback PG. The offense flows well when he's in his game, as he has outstanding vision. Along with the understanding of when to drive to create for others. He picks his spots to score and can heat up in a hurry. Was particularly impressive in July, going toe to toe with elite national competition. He unleashed a new level of consistent tough shotmaking to compliment his creator mentality.   The Cravens that showed up in North Augusta, Georgia in July would be a lot closer to a top 5 junior in Oklahoma than 15th. But a few weeks before that amazing display in North Augusta, he looked a step off the pace at the UCO team camp. Consistency during his junior season as part of the new era for Edmond North would help legitimize Craven's potential to play at the next level.

Joc vs Tyson aka 1A vs 1B