Updated 2027 Rankings: New Faces (Part 1)

We recently updated the class of 2027 rankings just in time for the New Year! The rankings consist of nearly 200 players, including nearly 30 new names added to the rankings. Here's a look at part one of the new players in the updated rankings!   #1 [player_tooltip player_id='1280889' first='LJ' last='Smith IV'] | 6'5” CG | Oak Hill Academy   Smith transferred to Oak Hill right before the season started from Lincolnton, NC, and he's been on an absolute tear in the EYSL and playing one of the toughest schedules in the country. The consensus top 10 player in the country is all he's hyped up to be as he has terrific positional size and is a big time athlete when he gets downhill and out in transition, he can put defenders on and island and create his own shot from multiple levels, he's a tough shot maker doesn't need much space to score it, and he's a very good defender for someone who is such a star and bucket getter.   #3 [player_tooltip player_id='2458579' first='Jacoby' last='Briscoe'] | 6'6” SF | Saint James   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/Jacoby-Briscoe-rotated-crop-3015x1980-1737594879.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/Jacoby-Briscoe-rotated-crop-3015x1980-1737594879.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2747034" /></a></figure>   Briscoe transferred to Saint James for their inaugural season, coming over from Riverdale Baptist, and after a big summer with New World and how he's played so far this season he's entered into national discussions as one of the top wings in the country. The 6'6” wing already holds double digit high major offers and his ability to impact the game on both ends is highly impressive. He's a big time athlete with a great frame that allows him to play above the rim, he's a versatile scorer who can play on or off the ball and score it from all three levels, and he's showing great trajectory with his improvement and development so far.   #9 [player_tooltip player_id='2454553' first='Ja'Ron' last='Rucker'] | 6'7” SF | Bishop O'Connell   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/Jaron-Rucker-2-rotated.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/Jaron-Rucker-2-rotated.jpg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-2690611" /></a></figure>   Rucker also transferred from Riverdale Baptist, heading to O'Connell where he fit in like a glove immediately and has been having a breakout junior season in the WCAC. When it comes to upside there aren't many players in the DMV with more of it than him, as he has a great frame and is a good athlete who is only getting more explosive, he can handle it in transition and makes good decisions, he's a versatile defender who can switch and challenges shots well, and he continues to improve in his ability to make shots consistently from deep.   #13 [player_tooltip player_id='2353555' first='Malachi' last='Terrell'] | 6'1” PG | Saint James   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/Malachi-Terrell.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/Malachi-Terrell.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-3275385" /></a></figure>   Terrell is another player who came over to Saint James from Gonzaga in the WCAC, and really made a name for himself during the fall where he showed he'll be one of their top playmakers, and he's continued that rise as he's been nothing short of fantastic for them this year. The 6'1” guard is a true floor general who controls tempo and plays with great pace, he touches the paint at will and is able to both finish over defenders and make plays for others, he picks his spots and scores it efficiently, and he's a tone setter defensively with his ability to pick up full court.   #14 [player_tooltip player_id='2027757' first='Joe' last='Nunez'] | 6'3” PG | Saint James   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/IMG_CA06BA1DA00A-1.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/IMG_CA06BA1DA00A-1.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2791002" /></a></figure>   Nunez is another player that transferred into Saint James who is already getting recruited at the highest of levels, and the New York native is someone I could easily see moving up the rankings into the top 10 moving forward. The 6'3” lead guard is as dynamic as they come as he  gets downhill and uses his size and athleticism to finish above the rim with ease, he is shifty off the bounce with a tight handle and the ability to change speeds, he shoots it well off the catch and getting to spots for his pull-up, and he is a good playmaker with great vision as well.   #19 [player_tooltip player_id='2091803' first='LJ' last='Holman'] | 6'2” CG | Hargrave   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/08/538-LJ-Holman.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/08/538-LJ-Holman.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2128871" /></a></figure>   Holman transferred to Hargrave from Kentucky where he reclassified to the 2027 class, and he's showing no issues playing in the Elite Prep League where he plays against older and tough competition night in and night out basis. The 6'2” lefty can impact the game in different roles as he can run the show and make great reads to get others easy buckets, he can get downhill and is an athletic finisher around the rim, he can knock it down from deep off the catch, and he brings great energy defensively too.

We recently updated the class of 2027 rankings just in time for the New Year! The rankings consist of nearly 200 players, including nearly 30 new names added to the rankings. Here's a look at part one of the new players in the updated rankings!