HoopHall Prep Showcase: Emerging 2027’s

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The annual HoopHall Prep Showcase provided a platform for dozens of the nation's top prep school programs to compete in front of a litany of college and NBA scouts along with media and fans alike. See below for a handful of junior (2027) prospects who either began or continued to emerge over the course of the weekend's action.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3428017"],"_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-6971a9ae76b77"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A new prospect on the radar, Ambrozich put together a quality two-game weekend while helping lead a junior-laden Vermont group to a 1-1 record. The native of Hawaii who's in his first year in New England averaged 11 points while displaying a well-rounded skillset in the frontcourt. He was effective as a cleanup man near the rim, showing good positional awareness with swift hands and ambidextrous finishing touch while playing through physicality in traffic. Ambrozich also flashed ability to put the ball on the floor past opposing bigs. With D1 bloodlines, he looks to have clear scholarship-level ability with a D1 shot in his own right as we evaluate him further.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3428038"],"_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-6971a9ae76be2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another new name to our staff, Rugette caught the eye with a pair of double-figure scoring performances in Lee Academy's two-game weekend. Born in Uganda but raised in the U.K., Rugette is a transfer from Western Reserve (OH) who stood out with his blend of positional size and high-level quickness. He was consistently leaving defenders in his wake while blitzing his way into the paint and making crafty reads as both a scorer and facilitator. Rugette also used his tools and consistent energy to apply solid pressure on the defensive end of the floor. We'll have to see more from him as a perimeter shooter to solidify any D1 hopes but Rugette made a statement that he certainly deserves scholarship-level attention moving forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2878952"],"_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-6971a9ae76c36"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Blending in nicely with his new surroundings at St. George's, Middleton made a clear case for inclusion in the next rankings with his steady complementary play on the wing in a Sunday win over Albany Academy (NY). The Hackley School (NY) transfer stands out immediately with a chiseled frame and enveloping length. He plays a clean game in support of the talent alongside him, contributing as a floor-spacer, defender, transition athlete, and opportunistic rim attacker. Middleton is continuously emerging as a clear scholarship-level talent with the physical tools and translatable skillset to garner D1 attention heading into the grassroots season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3407707"],"_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-6971a9ae76c7c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Despite taking a pair of losses on the weekend, Council managed to impress with his steady play in the backcourt while showing he belongs in the rankings come next update. The Rochester native and Rush-Henrietta (NY) transfer stood out with his poise operating off the dribble, showing he could run a team but also stepping up as a scorer when called upon, demonstrated by a 20-point outing on Sunday night. Council plays with a mature pace while also being able to keep defenses honest as a shooter out to the perimeter. While he lacks standout physical tools, his skill level and overall savvy have him trending clearly toward the scholarship level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2251320"],"_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-6971a9ae76cc0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The only currently-ranked prospect among this list, Johnson Jr. made his case for a notable northward bump as he continues to acclimate to his new surroundings in New England. A Lancaster native and La Academia (PA) transfer, Johnson delivered 15 points in Williston's only game of the weekend, showcasing his natural scoring ability and standout positional size. Johnson was effective both creating his own shot in 1-on-1 situations and striking opportunistically within the flow either off the catch or getting out in transition. He looks increasingly comfortable with the style of play and increased level of talent alongside him relative to his previous stop. Johnson continues to trend up as a prospect worthy of at least mid-major attention, while showing sprinkles of high-major flashes if his body can catch up to his overall talent level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->