Preseason Watch List: More 2027 Names To Have An Eye On

With preseason fall ball now in the rearview, all focus turns to the quickly approaching high school season. As programs ramp things up over the next week and an exciting winter of basketball begins, it's a good time to highlight several prospects—especially from the 2027 class—who deserve attention, whether they're looking to break out and gain exposure or solidify their stocks in the coming months.    An intriguing combination of offensive skill and unique fluidity at his size, [player_tooltip player_id='2218637' first='Kieran' last='Quinn'] is a forward who's inside outside game should provide an interesting layer to Bergen Catholic's offense this season. A seamless offensive fit who excels at scoring within the flow of the offense, Quinn is more than capable of being a force on the inside catching and finishing dump offs out the dunker spot, fighting on the offensive glass, and even backing down defenders in the low post and converting on hook shots and turnaround floaters. Quinn's just as effective out on the perimeter as well, knocking down catch and shoot threes and attacking closeouts off the bounce.     Equally comfortable at spending time and being effective at either guard spot, [player_tooltip player_id='2910156' first='Jaidyn' last='Boyd'] has proven that he can influence the game both on and off the ball, and he'll look to showcase much of that offensive skillset over the course of his junior season. He's proven to be a dependable perimeter shooter on spot up opportunities, a decisive and effective decision maker when attacking off the dribble, and valuable as a secondary ball handler—capable of handling pressure against opposing ball pressure and helping to initiate the offense at times.     Expected to resume the duties of being Cherry Hill East's primary ball handler and offensive initiator, Abreu excels at utilizing his excellent court vision and organizing the offense, finding open teammates within the flow of half court sets. Striking a strong balance between facilitating and scoring, he keeps defenses honest by taking advantage of scoring opportunities when they arise—attacking off the dribble and finishing with toughness and finesse, while also flashing his ability to knock down shots from the mid range area.     Now entering his junior year, Wilson looks increasingly confident as an outside shooter, looking to demonstrate a stronger sample size of his ability to shoot it both off the catch and off the bounce. Much of what generates the initial intrigue with his offensive skillset, Wilson's quickness and creativity with the ball consistently stand out as well, allowing him to consistently penetrate the paint— not only finishing craftily in traffic but also generating quality looks for his teammates, both down low in the dunker spot and creating drive and kick threes on the perimeter.     Coming off an impressive sophomore season that saw him explode for loud scoring performances routinely, [player_tooltip player_id='2347281' first='Nairi' last='Latham'] will look to pick up right where he left off last season and display the dynamic playmaking skill set that makes him a constant threat on the offensive end of the floor. He's emerged not only as a dangerous perimeter shooter but also as a poised decision maker capable of generating scoring opportunities for his teammates. Latham has proven he can convert on tough shots off the dribble, stretching the floor with deep range and confidently knock down contested threes with compact mechanics. He also reads ball screens well, making sharp and accurate passes when defenses blitz the pick and roll.     Providing a strong and powerful interior presence for Blair Academy's frontcourt, [player_tooltip player_id='2470853' first='Kamsi' last='Awaka'] is a true force in the paint, who impacts the game on both ends of the floor. He combines notable strength with a solid touch around the rim, making him a highly effective finisher inside. On the defensive end, Awaka projects as a reliable anchor—rebounding at a highly effective rate and serving as an impactful and intimidating rim protector with good timing and anticipation.     Expected to be the engine behind Central Regional's offense and see an extremely high usage rate from the guard spot, look for Derek Roth to display his ability to score the basketball from different spots on the court, creating off the bounce and getting to his spots with efficiency. Roth consistently attacks the rim off the bounce, finishing with both strength through contact and finesse in traffic. He also possesses the ability to facilitate, delivering timely passes to open teammates whenever defenses collapse on him.

With preseason fall ball now in the rearview, all focus turns to the quickly approaching high school season. As programs ramp things up over the next week and an exciting winter of basketball begins, it's a good time to highlight several prospects—especially from the 2027 class—who deserve attention, whether they're looking to break out and gain exposure or solidify their stocks in the coming months.