2027 Names to Know

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Remember these names because they're future stars either in the upcoming aau/travel season or in next school season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2434224' first='Collin' last='Ridgeway']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Despite playing for arguably the most notable program in WV, I still feel like Ridgeway is overlooked and yet to be recognized as one of the state's best point guards regardless of class. Collin is one of the smoothest and strongest ball handlers while getting paint touches to distribute and/or score when necessary. My favorite attribute is that Ridgeway always seems to make the right play and limits his turnovers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2434792' first='Marshall' last='Summers']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Summers has been one of the state's best kept secrets for a couple years. A slick shooting wing is set to emerge as Cabell Midland's top dog in several statistical categories. Summers has the tools and now he has to put them all to work and show people his ceiling. I think he could be a great scorer who can put it on the floor when necessary with so many opponents playing higher pressure defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2434992' first='Kaden' last='Welch']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Welch could easily be the next big thing at George Washington. Don't be surprised if he doesn't show up big somewhere in March for the Patriots as so many times underclassmen do. Welch has great size for a guard but also has a high comfort level off the wing as well as the versatility and strength to guard multiple positions which makes him an interesting and valuable college prospect. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2611801' first='Cayden' last='Cooper']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cooper has taken North Central WV by storm. While this surprised many, for those in the know it was no surprise. Next step is for Cooper to let folks in the aau/travel world know who he is. Most people will be shocked that there's a player with these metrics and stats like this under their noses, Cooper has done everything he possibly can to put his name in recruiting conversations. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2865387' first='Kirk' last='Akers']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Akers, whose length and shooting ability is intriguing immediately, could take over a huge role at George Washington next season. Interested to see what the aau/travel season brings for him in the immediate future, but I thinks he's a player we can't ignore. Size matters and Aker's height sets him apart from most and will not only aid in his scoring but also gets early looks from college coaches. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2443234' first='Chandler' last='Jackson']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jackson has absolutely killed it this season at PHS in scoring and rebounding averaging over 20 ppg while also averaging double digit rebounds at 6'2" in WV's top division. It seems that everyone should know Jackson's name already but he's still flying squarely under the radar. A very real next level guard prospect, Jackson could possibly get some notice this spring and summer. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2337749' first='Seth' last='Cronin']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cronin has a chance to be one of premier guards in this class, which is a huge accomplishment considering the strength of the 2027 group. A left handed long range sniper, Cronin could make the transition to being a point guard and expand his recruiting levels while also giving the Rebels a chance to continue success. Largely off the radar, Cronin will be on it once Hodges graduates from Ritchie. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2721129' first='Kai' last='Martin']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Martin is an interesting athlete who could be a next level athlete in football or basketball, but it does appear he could blossom very quickly in the right situation whether its in aau/travel season or in high school season next year. An athletic 6'3" athlete who has great explosiveness and lateral movement, Martin has the tools to be a big time two way player very soon and we'd expect it. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2867482' first='Wesly' last='Scott']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A 6'4" player who can play in the post and on the wing you say? This is him and he's poised for a huge spring and summer as well as taking on a big role with North Marion in his senior season. While the Huskies guard play is the talk of the state, Scott poses a serious match up problem even for AAA schools with his dynamic play and offensive versatility. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='3245924' first='Gavin' last='Perdue']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Perdue seemingly has came outta nowhere to be a wonderful compliment to his teammates, especially Riggs. Perdue seems to have basketball IQ beyond his years and a nice skill set to accompany it which I've seen in all games where I've watched him. I think it's safe to say he's the next star of this program going forward. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2721120' first='Avorie' last='Brown']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brown was a pleasant surprise the first time I watched him on film. A player willing to make every correct play whether it involved scoring or not, meanwhile he has the tools to be a great scorer. Brown will be one of Washington's big puzzle pieces going into next year and could even get some notice early on while in the aau/travel recruiting season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->