Top new guards from 2027 Rankings Update

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our 2027 rankings update saw 20 players get added to our list for the first time. In this article we'll break down five guards who made their debut in the rankings yesterday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2442536"],"_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-693263d49e001"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A true wing, it was tough to decide whether to group Maxwell with the guards of forwards for this article series. I went with guard due to his impressive shot making ability but his strength and size suggest he can also defend up the lineup. You haven't gotten to see Maxwell yet this winter because Centerville starts their season tonight in a conference showdown with Northmont. With a stacked 2027 class, the Elks have a lot of new faces to the varsity level this season. Maxwell appeared in 14 varsity contests last season, scoring just 2.1 points per game. I expect those scoring numbers to at least triple this season as Maxwell had some big games in the month of June for the Elks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2836010"],"_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-693263d49e0aa"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the more under the radar scorers in southwest Ohio, McDermott finished 4th in his conference in scoring as a sophomore at 17 PPG and dropped 30 points in his season opener against Miami East. A natural scorer on the wing, McDermott can get hot quickly from downtown while also attacking closeouts on the perimeter. Despite being at a small town program, McDermott's production speaks for itself and he's earned a place in our rankings with impressive performances at the high school level and at the Midwest fall league in Columbus.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2620322"],"_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-693263d49e11b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another Midwest fall league standout, Wicker was at the Cincinnati league and one of the top weekly performers. Wicker has a strong upper body and makes excellent decisions with the basketball when attacking downhill. When a player is as consistent as Wicker was in the Midwest fall league, that stands out as many players are hot one day and cold the next. Look for Wicker to try and make a statement in the WBL that is filled with college level talent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2443746"],"_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-693263d49e16c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Pickerington Central is a team I've gotten the chance to watch a lot in the month of June and during fall scrimmages because they've happened to be at a lot of events I've covered. Moore III has stood out with his defensive impact, high motor and slashing ability in the paint. A prospect we've already discussed a few times from those June events and fall scrimmages, not much more to say about Moore III at the moment besides the fact he's produced at a high level to earn a spot in our rankings and will have the chance to improve that mark over the next two years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2532394"],"_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-693263d49e1d7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The last prospect in this article is also a Midwest Fall League standout from the Columbus league and Jajczyk is one of the top players in the TVC. A guard who can get hot from a hurry downtown, I like that Jajczyk plays with a sense of urgency on the court. Expect Jajczyk to produce at a high level for the Tomcats this season, he was named the rising star of WOUB's Hardwood Heroes as a sophomore so expectations are high heading into the 2025-26 season in Glouster.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->