Rankings Update: 2027 Centers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rankings coverage continues with a look at the&nbsp;<em>centers</em>&nbsp;from the&nbsp;<em>Class of 2027</em>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In all, 17&nbsp;<em>Centers</em>&nbsp;appeared in our rankings update, including the top ranked&nbsp;<em>center</em>,&nbsp;<em>Cushing Academy's</em> <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='2470882' first='Theo' last='Edema']</em></strong>, who checks in at <strong><em>#2</em></strong> overall in the class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/position-ranking-table {"name":"acf/position-ranking-table","data":{"class":"2027","_class":"field_65cfb7374abb9","position":"77243","_position":"field_65cfbfcb19ad6","national_rankings":"0","_national_rankings":"field_660c1d73c0e49","state":"77239","_state":"field_65cfb88a603fe"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6961c31820d86"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below are five&nbsp;<em>centers</em>&nbsp;of note from our rankings update.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2341311"],"_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-6961c64b30f51"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mark, out of <em>Cushing Academy</em> in Massachusetts, checks in at <strong><em>#3</em></strong> among the <em>centers</em> and <strong><em>#17</em></strong> overall. Mark is in a unique position that he plays the same front-court spot as Edema, one of the nation's top centers, but does a lot to intrigue in his minutes on the floor. A true 7-footer, he has NBA length and has done a great job of playing with more physicality around the rim. He has touch out to the three point line, is a fluid mover in space, and does a really good job of switching up his movement decisions after setting screens. Defensively, he covers space quickly and is a high level rim protector both on the ball and when coming over from the help.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2710984"],"_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-6961c64b30fb8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hamblet, out of <em>Phillips Exeter Academy</em> in New Hampshire, checks in at <strong><em>#10</em></strong> among the <em>centers</em> and <strong><em>#68</em></strong> overall. Hamblet has quickly made a name for himself in the region with his ability to space the floor offensively, while also protecting the rim defensively. He has touch out to three on his jumper and does a nice job of knocking them down out of the trailer position. He's capable of attacking closeouts off the bounce, has some touch as a finisher around the rim, and is a really good two-way rebounder that plays with a high motor on the glass. Defensively, his length and mobility are assets that allow him to defend in space and in the paint.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2234138"],"_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-6961c64b31006"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Uzgiris, out of the <em>St. Luke's School</em> in Connecticut, checks in at <strong><em>#14</em></strong> among the <em>centers</em> and <strong><em>#117</em></strong> overall. One of the most physically imposing prospects in New England, Uzgiris is another 7-footer with broad shoulders and a big frame. He plays with physicality on both ends of the floor, showing good instincts on the offensive glass and the ability to keep opponents away from the rim defensively. He sets solid screens on offense, has a huge catch radius, and does a nice job of passing out of the post when double teams come. On top of that, he's a vocal presence on the back line of the defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2470901"],"_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-6961c64b3104d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Karavanic, out of <em>Nashua High School South</em> in New Hampshire, checks in at <strong><em>#15</em></strong> among the <em>centers</em> and <strong><em>#123</em></strong> overall. Karavanic has gotten off to a hot start scoring the basketball this winter, averaging 16.8 points per game through 5 games. The 6'7" big has some versatility on the offensive end of the floor, showing the ability to step out behind the arc and make decisions as a ball-handler. He impresses with his vision as a passer, can finish with athleticism around the rim, and does a nice job of playing through contact in the paint. Defensively, he's got a really high motor on the glass and does a nice job of uses his physical tools to his advantage to own the space around the rim.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2568398"],"_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-6961c64b31096"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Therrien, out of <em>Putnam Science Academy</em> in Connecticut, checks in at <strong><em>#16</em></strong> among the <em>centers</em> and <strong><em>#129</em></strong> overall. Therrien is a proto-type for the modern day big man, showing the ability to stretch the floor on the offensive side of the ball, while protecting the rim defensively. He's a good athlete that does a nice job of running the floor in transition, knows how to score over either shoulder with his back to the basket, and can knock down threes in catch and shoot situations. Defensively, he impresses with his ability to come from the help side to protect the rim and also does a great job of rebounding both in space and in traffic.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Keep an eye out tomorrow as we wrap up rankings week coverage for the&nbsp;<em>Class of 2027</em>&nbsp;with a look at some prospects from the&nbsp;<em>Watch List</em>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->