Updated 2027 Rankings: Forwards in NOVA

We recently updated our 2027 class rankings in Virginia, with it being one of the deepest rankings I have been apart of in my 10 years with the Prep Hoops VA site. We will take a look at some of the top players in each region of the state from a positional standpoint, with a look at the top power forwards and centers in the Northern VA area.   #11) Matthew Mena | 6'8” C | Paul VI   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/11/Screen-Shot-2023-11-19-at-11.55.23-AM.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/11/Screen-Shot-2023-11-19-at-11.55.23-AM.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2277022" /></a></figure>   Mena has been a big part of PVI's success as one of the top teams in the country over the past few years, bringing a unique skillset as well as a top tier motor for a player his size. He's got a strong build and isn't afraid to throw his weight around boxing out and finishing through contact, he's a knock down shooter from deep as a trail and pop man, he can get to spots in the midrange and moves well without the ball, and he gives fantastic effort on both ends every time he's on the floor.   #12) Jayden Mills | 6'7” PF | Bishop Ireton   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/07/IMG_0476.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/07/IMG_0476.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2894042" /></a></figure>   Mills is one of the biggest stock risers in the entire DMV over the past few years, going from a prospect with a lot of potential to being considered a consensus nationally ranked prospect who has been on an absolute tear on the 3SSB Circuit this summer. The 6'7” forward is a force in the paint who can clear out space and is surprisingly quick when he catches it on the block, he can step out and put it on the deck and get downhill, he is an excellent finisher around the rim with both hands, and he still has a lot of room to improve moving forward too.   #31) Braydon Young | 6'7” PF | Paul VI   Young was one of a number of new additions for this past year's PVI team that finished second in the country, and he's one of the more underrated prospects you'll come across in this class in the DMV as well. The 6'7” forward is an inside-out threat that can drill it from deep and is a good passer on the perimeter, he can bang in the paint and finish with either hand around the rim, he uses his length to challenge shots and rebound defensively, and as his body improves he'll likely get more athletic too.   #40) Darren MaGlocky | 6'7” PF | Virginia Academy   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/05/MaGlocky-Darren.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/05/MaGlocky-Darren.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-3652083" /></a></figure>   MaGlocky is a new name in these ranking to keep an eye on, as the German native is finally back healthy and he'll open a lot of eyes this summer when college coaches get to see him. At 6'7” with a very strong build he's a walking mismatch who can use his size to finish through contact and rebound at the rim, he can step out on the perimeter where he can put it on the deck and has surprisingly good wiggle for his size, he can knock down shots from deep, and he can guard multiple positions as well.   #43) Daniel Russell | 6'9” C | Potomac School   Russell is another player who is set to have a breakout summer during the live periods, as the 6'9” big man has a lot of tools that will translate well to the next level. At 6'9” he has size you can't teach and soft hands to catch tough passes in the paint, he can finish with both hands around the rim and over the shoulders, he can stretch the floor from deep, and he's a solid athlete who can run the floor and play above the rim too.   #55) O'Neal Allotey | 6'8” C | Mount Vernon   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/05/Allotey-ONeal.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/05/Allotey-ONeal.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-3631380" /></a></figure>   Allotey is one of the more intriguing players in the 2027 class, as he's only been playing basketball for about 3 years now and was an All State selection last year at Mount Vernon. The 6'8” big man has a great skillset for a player his size that hasn't been playing long, he has good feel and a high IQ that is perhaps even more impressive, he has touch around the rim and out to the three-point line, and his low maintenance and high productive style will make a lot of coaches happy.   #62) Uzziah Morton | 6'9” C | Bethel Academy   Morton is a player who will need to continue to work on his body moving forward, but he's a skilled and talented player who is productive on both ends of the floor. He can seal defenders deep and finish over either shoulder, he uses his frame to box out and clear out space to rebound or finish offensively, he clogs the lane defensively and does a good job challenging shots without fouling, and he is surprisingly quick for his size as well.   #117) Nigel Arthur | 6'6” PF | St. Stephen's St. Agnes   Arthur is one of those big men that every coach loves to have on his team, as he is as low maintenance as they come and is able to impact winning in a lot of different ways. He plays with a chip on his shoulder and a great motor every second he's on the floor, he fights for loose balls and rebounds extremely well on both ends of the floor, he runs the floor well and is an athletic finisher, and he can impact the game even without touching the ball a lot.   #131) James Davis | 6'4” PF | Yorktown   Davis may be a little undersized for his position, but that doesn't change the fact that he was one of the more consistently productive players in NOVA throughout the season. The 6'4” forward was a walking mismatch with his ability to post smaller defenders and attack the offensive glass, he shoots the ball well from deep and can take defenders off the bounce, he is a fluid athlete who is great in transition, and he can guard multiple positions as well.

We recently updated our 2027 class rankings in Virginia, with it being one of the deepest rankings I have been apart of in my 10 years with the Prep Hoops VA site. We will take a look at some of the top players in each region of the state from a positional standpoint, with a look at the top power forwards and centers in the Northern VA area.