Fresh Faces: Additions to the 2027 rankings 

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you're thinking about subscribing, now is the time to lock in. With rankings dropping and full coverage of the second half of the season coming up, a monthly or yearly plan makes the most sense. Use code dev30 for 30% off and secure access for the full season so you don't miss any of our scouting.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While you lock that in, we're shifting our focus to one of the strongest classes in the state — a group that's primed for major movement over the next few years. Hot starts have launched new names into the spotlight, while others are still building toward their breakthrough. This class is far from settled, and the board is already shifting. Here are some new names that entered the 2027 rankings for the first time.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3274023"],"_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-69656aa9063d7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Valley has struggled to get its footing this season, but looks to turn that around once they get into league play. Their best player has been junior guard Maddox. Maddox has had the ball in his hands aplenty and has been tasked with being the scorer for the team. He's seeing so many looks for opposing teams, handling pressures and doubles at times, and still able to contribute. On the season, he's averaging 13.6 points a game. He's setting up teammates for open looks and is a force defensively. He's entering the rankings for the first time, and we'd love to see him get out to more to prove he belongs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2758622"],"_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-69656aa90644f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2758622' first='Dylan' last='Paulson'] has been the team's X-factor and a big reason why Golden has gotten off to an 8-2 start. Golden is currently riding a 5-game winning streak behind the play of their lead guard. He's coming off of his best game of his career, a 25-point, 6-rebound, 4-steal performance in a close win over Pueblo West. That shows his upside, but he's been very steady. He's averaging 12.9 points, 4 rebounds, and 3.1 assists a game. He's been the team's best defender at 3.3 steals a game and has been a catalyst on that end of the floor. He raises their floor and has been on a tear. He is making a rise in the rankings and looking for more. Solid start to the season for him. Let's see if he can take them to a deep playoff push. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2120983"],"_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-69656aa9064a0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">John has made a massive leap and has been one of the team's X-factors and a consistent presence. He's a big reason why they've gotten off to a 7-1 start to the year. What stands out for him is despite so much attention being on teammates, he has been assertive and taking what the defense is giving him. He's been shot ready when the ball finds him, he impacts the game in ways other than just scoring and and has done the dirty work for the squad. He's up to 10.5 points and 4.4 rebounds a game. He's a hard worker who tracks the ball down and starts the break, makes the outlet pass, and runs the break for easy finishes. We want him to continue to star in his role, and we notice his contributions. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2291956"],"_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-69656aa9064ea"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Williams looks very comfortable as a scorer this season, and his work as a rebounding and defensive menace has made the defense come easily to him. He's finished in double figures in half of the games and has been a reliable scorer. He can create 3's for himself or move without the ball. He slashes and gets out in transition, and also makes plays happen when the play breaks down due to his constant motion. Jacob is putting up 13.3 points and 3.4 rebounds a game while also finding the open man as well as being a facilitator. He makes a BIG rise in the rankings after spending time on the watch list. <br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2390719"],"_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-69656aa906535"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Weston has jumped on the scene this year and has not looked back. You can tell that he's worked on his game in the offseason and is now starting to see exactly what that hard work does for him. Despite his team struggling, he's found some success. He's a 6'3 wing that the ball finds, and he aggressively attacks the basket. He has games where opposing teams have a difficult time slowing down and forcing him to the FT line. He attacks mismatches, finishes right over defenders, and is always looking to score. He's putting up an impressive 11.7 points and 7.8 rebounds a game. He's an inside finisher who we want to see more of, but we like what we've seen this season. He's certainly a riser. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->