Updated 2027 Rankings: New Faces (Part 3)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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 three of the new players in the updated rankings!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#59 Bodi Corley | 6'7” C | James River</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3281118,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/Corley-Bodi.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/Corley-Bodi.jpg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-3281118" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Corley has quietly emerged as one of the best big men in the Richmond area, as he's been putting up double-doubles on a regular basis so far this season and is just scratching the surface with how good he can be moving forward. The 6'7” big man is very athletic for his size and he plays above the rim with authority, he can finish through traffic with both hands, he is a very good rebounder on both ends, and he moves his feet well and challenges shots on the defensive end of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#62 [player_tooltip player_id='3035379' first='Trent' last='Smalling'] | 6'2” SG | Woodside</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3027159,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/10/Trent-Smalling-rotated-crop-3024x1986-1761254226.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/10/Trent-Smalling-rotated-crop-3024x1986-1761254226.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-3027159" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smalling was a breakout player in the summer with Woodside during the live periods, and he's emerged as one of their go-to guys so far this season as one of the top scorers in the 757. While he's only 6'2” he's built like a big wing with a strong frame that allows him to play through contact when he gets downhill, he can knock down shots from deep off the catch and on the move, he's a good athlete who uses his athleticism on the defensive end and on the glass, and he has takeover ability as a scorer when he gets it going.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#72 [player_tooltip player_id='3275759' first='Christian' last='Lynch'] | 6'3” CG | Kempsville</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lynch makes a case for breakout player so far in the 757 this season, and it's no surprise as he showed flashes as a sophomore, but has been on an absolute tear so far this season for Kempsville where he's scored 30 in multiple games in the young season. The 6'3” combo is simply wired to score as he isn't the most athletic player but he gets to his spots and has great footwork to create separation, he is very good in the middle area with floaters and pull-ups, he is an ambidextrous finisher at the rim, and he has great instincts on both ends of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#75 [player_tooltip player_id='2478626' first='Uzziah' last='Morton'] | 6'9” C | Bethel Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2782177,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/eZy-Watermark_20-02-2025_06-46-07-2880AM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/eZy-Watermark_20-02-2025_06-46-07-2880AM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2782177" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Morton is a guy who I envision moving up these rankings as he continues to develop his game and his body, as he has late bloomer written all over him as he's already pretty skilled and productive while he's growing into his body. At 6'9” he's a big body forward who can carve out space and finish in the paint, he is a good athlete for his size and can run the floor and moves his feet pretty well, and he is a stalwart in the paint who can deter drivers and push big men out of the paint as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#80 [player_tooltip player_id='3275763' first='Omar' last='Alp Elitas'] | 6'9” C | Bishop O'Connell</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Elitas came to O'Connell late in the summer, and he's another guy I could see moving up the rankings as he develops and gets used to the speed and physicality of the game over here. At 6'9” he has a frame you don't find every day and is an above average athlete for his size, he has good hands and soft touch around the rim, he can step out and stretch the floor, and he has so many tools to work with moving forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#87 [player_tooltip player_id='3275771' first='Jovin' last='Johnson'] | 6'7” PF | Glen Allen<br></strong>Johnson was a breakout player in the summer as he started to turn the potential to production, and he's continued that so far in the early season as he has been a double-double machine for a Glen Allen team that looks like a dark horse team that could make a deep playoff run. He's an intriguing prospect at 6'7” with good athleticism to run the floor and he finishes above the rim in transition and in traffic, he has improved his touch out to the three-point line, he is a good defender who moves his feet well, and he is very good at rebounding in and out of his area on both ends of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->