Some Under the Radar 2027 Forwards at the Midwest Showcase

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Hoops Missouri takes a look at a group of very productive Class of 2027 forwards who are under the radar at times, but put in some good work at last weekend's Midwest Showcase in Columbia.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3677311,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_2668.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_2668.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-3677311" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2338886' first='Parker' last='Hoffman'] (Marquette): A 6'8" forward who has moved up into a prime scoring role and he turned in some very productive play. He uses his solid body well to establish position and create good scoring opportunities in the post. He can score well inside with both hands around the basket. He can also turn and face the basket and put it on the floor and shoot it well from 3-point range. He also gets up and down the court to score in transition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3677350,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_2299.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_2299.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-3677350" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2534745' first='Jamel' last='Hawkins'] (McCluer North): A 6'5" forward who plays with one of the strongest motors that we watched during the event. He is a horse when it comes to rebounding as he attacks the boards at both ends with great tenacity. He routinely gets out of his area to grab rebounds. He is also very good when he is attacking off the dribble. He is very aggressive and he doesn't mind seeking contact when he is on the drive. He was constantly running the court in transition to either get an layup or an early touch in the low post.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3677346,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_2684.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_2684.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-3677346" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2952093' first='Jakaya' last='Duff'] (Oak Park): A 6'7" forward who has impressive length and athleticism to go along with it. He makes a lot of things happen with his motor running because he's finishing strong at the rim with dunks and running the court in transition. He is also a capable slasher when he puts the ball on the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3677347,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_2284.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_2284.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-3677347" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2528009' first='Ross' last='Buffington'] (Helias): A 6'5" small forward from Mid-Missouri who has an excellent inside-outside game that can cause matchup problems for opposing defenses. He has a solid body and he can play the physical game inside with the ability to score in the post and rebound. He has good footwork and he's very active. He also moves out to the perimeter where he can grab the rebound and lead the break on the dribble. He was also knocking down open 3-pointers off the catch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3677351,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_2566.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_2566.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-3677351" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2348198' first='Mar'Kel' last='Houston'] (Glendale): A 6'5" forward who is a hard worker with a blue-collar style of play. He is a tough player inside who rebounds and plays defense with a lot of intensity. He is a very good screener who plays with a lot of effort at both ends of the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3677352,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_2252.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_2252.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-3677352" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2403915' first='Camden' last='Evjen'] (St. Charles West): A 6'7" forward who is very skilled with the ability to excel in the low post and on the perimeter. He is an excellent 3-point shooter who is ideal on the pick and pop. He has gotten more physical in the post with each season, which makes him more effective on the offensive end. He has a soft touch around the basket, which includes a nice jump hook over the left shoulder. He's very patient with his moves inside and he makes good use of head fakes to get defenders off the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3677355,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_2292.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_2292.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-3677355" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LJ Torrence (North Kansas City): A 6'6" forward who has added some weight and gotten stronger over the past couple of years. It enables him to play with a little more physicality in the low post against other bigs. He still has his versatile skill set on the perimeter. He handles the ball well and could hit open cutters with his passing ability. He was also stepping out and hitting 3-pointers off the catch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3677360,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_2628.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_2628.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-3677360" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2837289' first='Sully' last='Ford'] (Smithville): A 6'5" small forward who is a tough and aggressive player who loves to go on the attack. He has a solid body that is built for contact, but he is able to finish with a soft touch on his strong takes in the lane. He can also work out in the low post with his back to the basket. If he gets a step or an open look, he is fully capable of hitting the open 3-pointer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3677371,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_2325.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_2325.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-3677371" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2423032' first='Jayden' last='Garth'] (Clayton): A 6'3" forward who plays much bigger than his actual size. He uses his physical strength to his advantage and he also plays with great effort. He is a tough rebounder who sets solid screens and can play very good defense inside. He does all of the tough, gritty work that helps a team with very talented perimeter players succeed in a big way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->