Class of 2027 Rankings: Prospects who are still undervalued?

Use promo code OKHoops50 at checkout for a discount on your first month's subscription!   Trying to capture the wide breath of prospects in Oklahoma via a simple 1-100 rankings system can be a fool's errand. It's difficult to weigh current production at various levels of competition against long term potential. Especially as what could be a weakness for a prospect in February could be improved and no longer an issue come July. Heres a look at prospects that the upside is there and frankly, could be way too low. Which would be a good thing, as that would mean more successful college basketball players.    Few players in Oklahoma's biggest classifications are producing at the level like Smedley is. His highlights are filled with ram rattling slams and explosive finishes when driving the line in the halfcourt. His athleticism alone would be one thing, but he's a certified full scorer. Recently hanging 26 points on Midwest City, and more importantly getting the upset win. In that game, he showed translatable scoring in the highlights. Running off screens then catching and turning to hit in the mid-range and three with one fluid motion. Even had his range going to around the college three point line. The path to D1 straight out of high school has become difficult with transfers and college basketball getting older. But given his height, athleticism and mature, translatable scoring games. there are outcomes that could see Smedley blow up this spring and summer, leading to him blazing his own path. Or at the very least be a "blue chip" type prospect for Oklahoma D2s.     It wasn't quite a year ago that Williamson was knocking down threes and looking athletic in a small local AAU tournament. At time he was a PCO player, who said he was transferring to SAS. He looked promising, and figured he was a name to keep tabs on as a potentially good high school player. Because there are quite a lot of times the production in the up and down nature of smaller grassroots doesn't always translate to the more structured setting of high school basketball. And of course eventually college.   Since then, Williamson has proven he's an outstanding player. It started in the summer when he produced in E16 action with Houston Hoops. Then has carried over to high school. In one SAS win this season, he sat the school record for three pointers made (9). The way he shoots the ball from deep at his size and athleticism is a separator when compared to many other players in Oklahoma. It's been a rapid ascension and he might not be finished rising. There is the potential that this time next year, Williamson could be in conversation as one of the top overall prospects in the state.     Arguably the fastest player in the class, Mbroh is a blur with the ball in his hands. He's a transition demon, who along with scoring himself can also serve up lobs. To balance out his speed in the half court, he has a nasty pull up game. He can break ankles and leave opponents slipping as he stops on a dime to shoot. The production has started to match his potential, but there's more development to come for "X" to reach his full potential.   His reading of the game in the halfcourt must improve. He has tendency of relying too much on his speed, not playing with his head up and driving into crowds. Because of his athletic gifts he can hit tough contested shots, but long term at his height he needs to be more of a PG. Who sets up his teammates more often in the halfcourt. Hopefully with more reps and time, the game will slow down for Mbroh and he'll become as exciting of a playmaker as he is a scorer.     The two games against Tulsa Memorial this season are likely the best example of the highs and lows of the promising wing prospect. In the first one, Rhodes struggled and his team lost. Memorial is a physical and well disciplined team, negating some of the athletic advantages he usually has. But when his jumper is on, he can be one of the best juniors in the state. Which he was when East Central won the rematch. He has the trait that when the first three goes in, odds are more will follow. One transformation of his game this season that indicates his potential for long term success is his motor has ramped up. He plays harder and fiercer more often. Has become the backbone to a guard have EC team that has State Title aspirations. If Rhodes keeps his hard hat, lunch pail mentality, then he'll continue to sky.     A preseason knee injury nearly wiped out Brown's promising junior campaign. He was able to return a few weeks age and based on Tuesday night he's found his grove. In a rivalry game against fellow top 5A team Carl Albert, Brown gave a tough opponent the business around the rim. He's strong and powerful, with a soft touch around the basket. Even when banging against similarly sized players, he was still converting tough finishes. Hit one jumper from the mid-range, which was an area he was improving before he was sidelined. There's a lot of potential with Brown to become more of a versatile chess piece. Who could potentially punish opponents not just around the rim, but outside as well.     A bruising guard who has powered OCA into Class 2A State Title contention. Plays strong and skilled on drives, either punching home dunks with authority. Or shrugging off contact like a running back to finish And 1s. He's a consistent performer, who plays the game with a clear hunger. Which is a leg up on similar prospects, as playing hard has become a skill. Brings a similar mentality on the defensive end. The question surrounding Mason's long term upside revolves around his three point shooting. Having watched him multiple times over the last year, he shoots it fine but it does not seem to be a strength. If he can dial in from three over the next six months, he'll become a very highly valued prospects for regional colleges.

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