Updated 2027 Rankings: Risers

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 five players who rose in the updated rankings.   [player_tooltip player_id='2194710' first='Brian' last='Mitchell Jr.'] | 6'3” SG | Paul VI   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/Brian-Mitchell-Jr-crop-5548x3643-1766581235.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/Brian-Mitchell-Jr-crop-5548x3643-1766581235.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-3268687" /></a></figure>   Previous Rank: #9   Current Rank: #4   Mitchell transferred from Varina to Paul VI in the fall, and while he was known around Richmond as one of the top players in the area, he has now put the country on notice as he's been fantastic for the Panthers playing one of the toughest schedules in the country. The 6'3” wing is a shot making maestro, as he can play on pro off the ball and make tough contested shots from all three levels. He's really improved his body to get more athletic and he's much more conditioned than he's been in the past, he has in the gym range and can make shots on the move, and he has great footwork and uses his strong frame to bump opponents and get into his shots when he's closely covered.   [player_tooltip player_id='1574509' first='Jayden' last='Brown'] | 6'3” CG | STAB   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Brown-Jayden-CBG.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Brown-Jayden-CBG.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2967159" /></a></figure>   Previous Rank: #39   Current Rank: #27   Brown is a player I have seen major potential in, and with an entirely new look STAB team he has taken the reigns as the go-to guy and has been one of the best guards in the state in the early season. The 6'3” combo has grown into his body and become super bouncy, and while he was known and still is known for his defensive ability, he's really upped his offensive output and is scoring the ball at a ridiculous rate. He has become much more shifty off the bounce and changes speeds and directions well, he is shooting it very well from deep and when he gets to his spots in the midrange, and he still makes others better with his playmaking too.   [player_tooltip player_id='2896959' first='Daniel' last='Russell'] | 6'10” C | Potomac School   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/10/Daniel-Russell-crop-1365x897-1760581679.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/10/Daniel-Russell-crop-1365x897-1760581679.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2993429" /></a></figure>   Previous Rank: #30   Current Rank: #28   Russell broke onto the scene this past summer with Potomac School at the DMV Live, and throughout the fall and this season so far he's been beyond solid for them. At 6'10” he has things you can't teach with his height and length, but it's his blend of athleticism and skillset that separates him from other big men too. He runs the floor fluidly and gets buckets in transition, he can stretch the floor out to the three-point line, he has good feet and touch around the rim, and he's a good offensive rebounder as well.   [player_tooltip player_id='2815342' first='Larry' last='Walker'] | 6'1” PG | Petersburg   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/tempImageMU4PvP.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/tempImageMU4PvP.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2716529" /></a></figure>   Previous Rank: #95   Current Rank: #48   Walker showed a lot of promise as a breakout performer for Petersburg last season, and he went through a major growth spurt this summer going from 5'10” to 6'1” and his game grew with it. He's a lightning quick guard who is shifty off the bounce, and he's deadly in ball screen actions and when he gets out in transition. He puts a ton of pressure on the defense with his ability to break down and blow by to get in the paint, he can make tough shots from all three levels both on and off the ball, and he has major upside defensively with his lateral quickness and pest like attitude.   [player_tooltip player_id='2898053' first='Shane' last='McAfee'] | 6'8” C | Saint Michael   Previous Rank: #92   Current Rank: #74   McAfee made his debut in the rankings when he was going through some injuries over the summer, but now that he's healthy he looks like a late bloomer that college coaches should really start to pay attention to. The 6'8” big man has somewhat of a throwback style to him, as he is a big and physical body in the paint with good feet and good touch around the rim. He buries defenders deep and can score over either shoulder, he's good at using his feet and his fakes to get defenders guessing and score it in the post, and he has shown touch out to the perimeter as well.

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 five players who rose in the updated rankings.