KABC: Friday 2027 Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The KABC Bluegrass Shootout brought out dozens of Division I coaches to Lexington this weekend and in this article I'll break down my 2027 standouts I saw on Friday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2046738"],"_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-6a302f33c3a82"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the hottest prospects in Kentucky's 2027 class, Joiner produces on the hardwood and gridiron, earning offers and interest in both sports from the Division I level. Joiner had multiple and-1 finishes in the game I caught and his physicality was overwhelming for the defense. Joiner likes to keep defenders on his hips and bounce off them on drives but I would also like to see him blow by similar level athletes on the perimeter. The biggest question for Joiner on the hardwood is his perimeter shooting ability and he was getting to his spots in the mid-range on pull-up attempts but still figuring out his range from beyond the arc. Talented athlete who has a chance to make a big impact in either sport he picks!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3626289"],"_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-6a302f33c3b3e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Evangel Christian has a nice group and Boespflug was their most impressive player on Friday in the opening game of the weekend that I caught. Boespflug found a lot of success playing along the baseline, scoring on baseline drives with reverse layups and inside hand finishes. This success attacking on the baseline started because Boespflug knocked down multiple corner 3-pointers early in the game. With a nice mix of seniors on the wing and interior with young guards, Evangel Christian will be a team to watch in Louisville this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2779405"],"_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-6a302f33c3bd2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gaither has been an excellent addition for Grayson County, helping them make a run at Rupp Arena last season after moving to the area last year. Gaither had another big showing on Friday in an impressive win over Winton Woods. After a slow start, Gaither settled into the game well and had multiple and-1 finishes with his right hand. Gaither's best move of the day came on a hesi dribble move that left the defender scrambling and he fouled him late, leading to another and-1 finish. Gaither is currently on regional Division II and NAIA radars with a recent visit to Thomas More.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3502164"],"_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-6a302f33c3c57"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">North Hardin and [program_tooltip program_id='2229551' first='Moss' last='Elite'] share a 2027 duo that has won a lot of games together recently. I was most impressed by Cleaver on Friday with his natural movement ability with or without the ball in his hands pops on the court. Cleaver covers a ton of ground in transition and can change directions quickly on the ball. Cleaver had a couple nice plays in the pick and roll as a ball handler as he found roll men and cutters with timely passes. Recently offered by Kentucky Christian, Cleaver helped North Hardin go 4-0 this weekend and surely improved his stock.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2524180"],"_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-6a302f33c3cb8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another prospect who just picked up his first offer, Daniel was offered by Brescia earlier in the month. Daniel made a ton of shots on Friday night as he showed off his quick trigger and repeatable release. Warren Central has an experienced group and while they don't have the individual talent some of their previous teams have had, I expect them to be an extremely tough out this season with guys like Daniel playing their role and sharing the basketball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2135530"],"_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-6a302f33c3d16"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Apollo showed some talent and toughness this weekend and I left extremely impressed with Williams, a multi-sport athlete. Williams showed toughness by taking a charge and mixing it up with a handful of bigger and stronger players. An impressive perimeter shooter, Williams hit a handful of 3-pointers from 3-5 feet behind the line. Even without stud guard [player_tooltip player_id='2960479' first='Carlos' last='Cruz'], I left impressed with Apollo and think they should be extremely competitive in southwest Kentucky this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2046736"],"_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-6a302f33c3d72"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Maybe the biggest stock riser among 2027 Kentucky prospects this weekend, Rickard was dominant for Carlisle County. Rickard is a skilled big who can make shots off the catch or movement and does a nice job of catching and being assertive in the paint. Rickard combines perimeter shooting, decision making and size, giving his team a ton of options of how to use him. With a big like Rickard you unlock so many more offensive sets because of his shooting and passing ability from the center position. Rickard played like a no-brainer Division I target and should see his recruitment spike after this weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->