Updated 2027 Rankings: Forwards (25-16)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="font-family: -webkit-standard;white-space: normal">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 top power forwards and centers in the updated rankings!</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>25) [player_tooltip player_id='2046175' first='Alexander' last='Sidbury'] | 6'6” PF | Fairfax Christian (#96 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2976307,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Alexander-Sidbury.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Alexander-Sidbury.jpg?w=970" alt="" class="wp-image-2976307" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sidbury has been a key piece for Fairfax Christian in their last two state championship seasons, and his willingness to do the little things to help his team win. He's a big body in the paint with soft touch and good footwork, he rebounds well on both ends of the floor, and he's a low maintenance and consistent producer across the board.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>24) [player_tooltip player_id='2898058' first='Nigel' last='Arthur'] | 6'7” PF | St. Stephen's St. Agnes (#94 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Arthur is another big man that you just love to have on your team, as he is an all-out and high motor big man who impacts the game without needing to be a focal point of the offense. The 6'7” big man plays with a terrific motor and uses his length to challenge shots at the rim, he runs the floor hard and finishes well in transition, he's a very good rebounder in traffic, and he still has a ton of room to get better moving forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>23) [player_tooltip player_id='2377992' first='Micaiah' last='Mitchell'] | 6'7” PF | Nansemond River (#90 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mitchell transferred to Nansemond River from Princess Anne this summer, and he's been a big reason for their hot start this year. While he stands at 6'7” his big frame makes him a problem to handle in the post, he clogs the paint defensively and challenges shots well around the rim, and offensively he has soft touch with both hands around the rim.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>22) [player_tooltip player_id='3275771' first='Jovin' last='Johnson'] | 6'7” PF | Glen Allen (#87 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Johnson has had a great start to the season for a Glen Allen team that looks like one of the best in the Richmond area, and he's someone coaches should start to follow now as he continues to develop. The 6'7” forward is a good athlete who is likely still growing into his body which will make him even more athletic, he runs the floor and plays above the rim, he's a good rebounder and rim protector, and he's shown the ability to stretch the floor as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>21) [player_tooltip player_id='2898030' first='Abram' last='Schrinel'] | 6'6” PF | Douglas Freeman (#85 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Schrinel is emerging as one of the most productive forwards in the Richmond area, and he's a coaches dream with his versatility and high motor at his size that makes him so productive. He uses his length to rebound and is particularly good at crashing the offensive glass, he plays with toughness and energy on the defensive end and can guard multiple positions, he scores it in different ways around the rim and in the midrange, and he is more than willing to do the dirty work.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>20) [player_tooltip player_id='3275763' first='Omar' last='Alp Elitas'] | 6'9” C | Bishop O'Connell (#80 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Elitas came to the states before the school year and landed at O'Connell where he'll have a good chance to develop playing in one of the best conferences in the country. While he's still a project he has some seriously intriguing tools as he has size and a frame you can't teach, he already has soft touch and pretty good hands, and as he gets used to the speed and physicality he could take a big jump here in the near future.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>19) [player_tooltip player_id='2478626' first='Uzziah' last='Morton'] | 6'9” C | Bethel Academy (#75 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Morton is another guy who is a bit of a project at this moment in time, but he has a lot of upside too as he gets his body right and continues to develop. He's an absolute load in the paint who clogs the lane and can clear out space, he can finish around the rim and in traffic, and he's already surprisingly quick and athletic for his size.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>18) [player_tooltip player_id='2898053' first='Shane' last='McAfee'] | 6'8” C | Saint Michael (#74 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McAfee dealt with some injuries over the past couple of years, but now that he's healthy he's showing he's one of the more intriguing prospects in the Fredericksburg area. The 6'8” big man has a strong frame with good footwork in the paint to finish in post ups, he can step out on the perimeter and make shots, he's a good passer for his size, and he owns the glass on both ends.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>17) [player_tooltip player_id='2780037' first='Tal' last='Rose'] | 6'7” PF | Virginia Academy (#65 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rose is more of a new school hybrid forward than a traditional four man, which works out well for him as he's able to exploit mismatches and allow his team to go with different looks and play him at different positions. At 6'7” he has long arms and a great shooting stroke with the ability to shoot over defenders, he's a good athlete who can run the floor and finish at the rim, he's able to create his own shot, and he has a good IQ on both ends too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>16) [player_tooltip player_id='2470584' first='Maddox' last='Patrick'] | 6'7” PF | Trinity Episcopal (#63 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Patrick is another player who has dealt with some injuries over his career, but when he's healthy he's a game changer for Trinity as he brings versatility and mismatch ability with his size and scoring package. At 6'7' he's strong and athletic enough to go in the post and hit the offensive glass, he shoots it well from deep with range and a quick release, and he is able to handle and pass it well for his size too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->