Top new names from 2027 Rankings Update

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our 2027 Rankings update was released last week and in this article I'll break down the top six highest ranked new players added to our rankings. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3513883"],"_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-6a0c93c5c60ed"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The 7 footer stood out at the end of the season for Spire International and has continued to shine with [program_tooltip program_id='2076317' first='Midwest' last='Basketball Club 3SSB']. Skilled for a big man, Mabbot has good hands and can pass the ball when doubled. With his height and length Mabbot can wall up defensively at the rim and alter shots. Prospects of his size don't come across Ohio very often so he's one of the more unique players to scout in this class. Looking for Mabbot to improve his finishing through contact and foot speed as he prepares for the college level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2916196"],"_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-6a0c93c5c6221"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hoop Tech has a handful of intriguing small college targets and I finally got the opportunity to see Walgate in action in early May. Walgate is a fluid athlete for his size as he's switchable defensively and able to guard multiple positions. Offensively, Walgate mostly scores off drives and cuts where he can use his size to score over smaller players and his ball handling ability to drive past slower guys on the perimeter. Walgate has helped put Medina Christian basketball on the map as a new program to the OHSAA. Also a multi-sport athlete, Walgate is highly regarded as a whiffleball player as well. Interesting athlete who is taking his own journey through high school sports and finding a lot of success.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3626452"],"_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-6a0c93c5c631a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The [program_tooltip program_id='2075761' first='Ohio' last='Buckets'] Black team is always good for a couple small college sleepers around northwest Ohio and that's exactly what Gerken is. An impressive athlete from the wing forward position, Gerken can explode vertically for blocks and dunks when he has a clear runway and has the positional size to be an impact defender and rebounder. Impressive small town prospect who should have plenty of interest to play at the next level from regional small college programs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3586645"],"_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-6a0c93c5c640c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Alliance had one of their best seasons in school history last season and it was thanks to star guard Jr Jackson and a deep 2027 class led by Hays. Hays is another fluid athlete who can defend in space and provide rim protection and rebounding defensively. Hays can knock down shots from the corner, giving him some intriguing five out offensive looks with him as the center. His skill level could also allow him to play next to another big on the court if you wanted to try and emphasize rebounding and interior dominance. Hays should be a priority for small college programs due to his versatility and production.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2448232"],"_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-6a0c93c5c64f5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Olentangy had a breakout season and won a district championship for the first time since 1991 thanks to a quality depth of talent across their roster. Walburn is another multi-sport athlete, a theme of this article as he plays baseball for the powerhouse Braves program as well. Walburn plays well off the catch offensively as he can knock down shots and attack closeouts. Playing well within an offensive system, Walburn has an impressive feel for the game and should slide in well at the small college level offensively early in his career.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2532397"],"_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-6a0c93c5c65e2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Durham was absolutely killing at Gilmour Academy before having to sit out the second half of the season due to OHSAA transfer rules. A microwave scorer from the point guard position, Durham can flat out fill it up offensively and had some huge scoring games last winter. Another priority small college target from the HoopTech basketball squad, Durham will be one to watch this summer as lead guards with his scoring upside are tough to find at the small college level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->