Rankings Update: The Watch List I

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we continue our rankings coverage for the <em>Class of 2027</em>, we'll turn our attention to the <em>Watch List</em>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is the first of three articles that will highlight prospects that just missed out on our rankings - all of whom have a real chance to be ranked come July.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are the first five prospects of note from the <em>Watch List</em>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2960053"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69e572a0d18dd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ibrahim, a guard out of the <em>South Kent School</em> in Connecticut, has the ability to knock down perimeter jumpers at an elite level. The 6'4" guard does a nice job of sliding off drives into open passing windows, has a quick release on his jumper, and elevates to get his shot off over defenders. His ability to shot fake and then get into his mid-range game adds another dimension to his offensive game. Defensively, he has the ability to guard any spot on the perimeter and shows good instincts when making plays in rotations.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2711301"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69e572a0d19af"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Vertin, a wing out of <em>New Canaan High School</em> in Connecticut, plays with impressive versatility on the offensive end of the floor and a real commitment defensively. At 6'3", he has good positional size and stands out with his ability to get to and make plays at the rim off the bounce. He can finish with authority at the basket in space and does a nice job of getting off the ball and making shots from behind the arc. Defensively, he's capable of guarding at a high level and keeping opposing ball-handlers away from their scoring spots. Vertin will head to the <em>St. Paul's School</em> in the fall and join the <em>Class of 2028</em>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3417403"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69e572a0d1a53"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Leonardo, a guard out of <em>Cheshire Academy</em> in Connecticut, established himself as a crafty playmaker that can really shoot the basketball. The 6'0" guard plays with creativity with the ball in his hands, has some craftiness as a finisher around the rim, and knocks down jumpers in bunches from behind the arc. He has in the gym range as a shooter and is able to get his shot off at any time in catch and shoot situations. Defensively, he's a solid point of attack defender that knows how to play angles and is capable of creating steals off of deflections.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2634189"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69e572a0d1b89"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cassamajor, a guard out of the <em>Brooks School</em> in Massachusetts, was an <em>All-ISL</em> performer this winter that plays with an edge on the defensive end of the floor. The 5'11" guard has the ability to defend at a high level in space, keeping opponents out of the paint and showing quick hands that allow him to generate plenty of steals. He's really good in transition where his quickness plays to his advantage, has good burst as a driver in the half-court, and plays with good vision as a passer out of ball screens. On top of all that, he's able to create for himself as a scorer out of isolations late in the clock.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2878907"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69e6cd0001671"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Specht, a guard out of <em>Ridgefield High School</em> in Connecticut, is a two-way performer that does a nice job of using his frame to his advantage on both ends of the floor. At 6'3", he has good size for the position and shows the ability to both make shots from behind the arc and to finish through contact at the rim. He's got a high release on his jump shot and does a nice job of moving off the ball to get into open passing windows. Defensively, he's able to hold his own as a rebounder and also shows good instincts off the ball, particularly when digging down off of opponents drives.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rankings coverage for the <em>Class of 2027</em> will continue later this week as we dive into more prospects on the <em>Watch List</em>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->