Updated 2027 Rankings: Forwards (5-1)

<!-- 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 the top 5 power forwards and centers in the updated rankings!</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5) [player_tooltip player_id='1782681' first='Odita' last='Aguolu'] | 6'6” PF | Miller School (#21 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1978863,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/Aguolo-Odita.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/Aguolo-Odita.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1978863" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aguolu transferred to Miller School after leading Saint Michael to a VISAA D-III semifinal appearance last year, and he's a prospect D1 coaches should be tracking as he's continuing to show a lot of improvement in his game. While we have him as a power forward, he's more of that new age small ball four man who can cause mismatches with his blend of size, athleticism and perimeter skillset as well. At 6'6” he can attack off the bounce and get to spots using long strides and use his strength to finish through contact, he's dynamic in transition with his above the rim finishing ability, he can make shots when he's open off the catch, and he can switch and guard both on the perimeter and in the paint.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4) [player_tooltip player_id='2462349' first='Kimario' last='Sherman'] | 7'1” C | Oak Hill Academy (#20 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sherman is a guy to watch for in the next few years, as he is a slow burning but ever improving big man who is trending in the right direction and has huge upside when it all clicks. A legit 7'1” with long arms is something you don't find in players every day, and he's likely still growing into his body which will make him more explosive and fluid when he finally does. He has good coordination and hands to catch tough passes for a player his size, he can finish around the rim with both hands, he has good touch out to the elbows and from the free throw line, and defensively he is able to challenge shots and makes driving guards double think everything with his size.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3) [player_tooltip player_id='2353633' first='Matthew' last='Mena'] | 6'7” PF | Paul VI (#17 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2277022,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/11/Screen-Shot-2023-11-19-at-11.55.23-AM.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/11/Screen-Shot-2023-11-19-at-11.55.23-AM.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2277022" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mena has been a big part of PVI's national dominance over the last few years, as he brings a mix of versatility and a high motor that allows him to impact and change the game in spurts when he's on the floor. The 6'7” big man is built like a back to the basket big who can use his strength and touch to finish around the rim, but you throw in the fact that he can shoot it at a high clip from deep on kick-outs and trails makes him very tough to find a matchup for. He has good range and confidence shooting it from deep, he is a very good passer for his size and position, he plays hard as can be running the floor and fighting for rebounds and loose balls, and as he continues to develop his body he should get more athletic moving forward too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2) [player_tooltip player_id='2370724' first='Keaton' last='Gregory'] | 6'9" C | Trinity Episcopal (#16 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2548681,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImageMzmYyV.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImageMzmYyV.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2548681" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gregory has been a prospect we've been watching closely since he was a freshman at TES, and he's shown a lot of improvement in his game over that time and is starting to gain confidence and learning how to dominate when he's on the floor. While he's lean and still needs to put on weight, he's made a much more concerted effort to fight in the paint both on the glass and in post ups where he's starting to use his length and touch to finish in traffic more. He's developed into a very good shooter from deep who is consistent and doesn't need a ton of space to get his shot off, he is a very good passer on the perimeter who can initiate offense and make plays for others, and he is a good anchor defensively as he's vocal and can direct traffic and he's able to alter shots at the rim too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1) [player_tooltip player_id='2624494' first='Ben' last='Kalonji'] | 6'8” C | Massanutten (#8 Overall)&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2967163,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Kalonji-Ben-Certified.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Kalonji-Ben-Certified.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2967163" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kalonji has been an intriguing prospect since he came over to Massanutten last year, and the way he's improved in just that time to being on the verge of a nationally ranked prospect has been very impressive. The first thing that's interesting about Kalonji is that he's only been playing basketball for a couple of years, and he's already gone from a project who played hard and was athletic, to a full fledged basketball player who can speak and understand the game well and has shown massive improvements across the board. Defensively he shines with big time upside as a rim protector with his length and athleticism, but as he continues to develop he looks like a guy who will be able to switch and guard on the perimeter on ball screens too. He plays above the rim effortlessly with drop steps and as a lob threat, he has shown a lot of improvement with his touch both around the rim and even being able to step out and stretch the floor now, and the best part is he can impact the game without needing a single play ran for him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->