2027 Bigs On The Rise In Wisconsin

College coaches are always on the lookout for emerging frontline prospects and Wisconsin's class of 2027 features a good batch of players at the power forward and center positions who have improved their stock. All across the state, 2027 bigs are on the rise and are busy preparing for productive senior seasons. Following is a look at some the breakout bigs in the 2027 class:    NCAA Division II programs at Bemidji State and Lake Superior State have been in recent contact with Robert, a mobile and defensive-minded forward. He's also drawing plenty of attention from some of the premier Division III programs in the state. Robert had a strong showing with the [program_tooltip program_id='2076033' first='Wisconsin' last='Playmakers'] on the club circuit over the past several months, flashing the ability to impact games with his scoring, rebounding and shot blocking. He is looking to better last year's totals of 18.1 points and 9.0 rebounds per contest. Robert and Hudson guard [player_tooltip player_id='2416653' first='Alex' last='Healy'] are the lone returning first-team all-league performers from the Big Rivers Conference.     Hard working and ever improving, Schmidgall picked up several NCAA Division II scholarship offers in recent months, including Hillsdale, Mary, McKendree and Upper Iowa. He committed this week to Upper Iowa. It's easy to understand why the Fall Creek forward picked up those offers as he continues to carve out his standing among the best in the state. Schmidgall's rebounding, scoring near the basket and physicality on defense are all major assets. A key piece for a Fall Creek team looking for a big season, Schmidgall averaged 15.3 points and 12.0 rebounds as a junior and is a returning first-team all-league selection in the Western Cloverbelt Conference.     Like the others in this grouping, Jungwirth works exceptionally hard at getting better. And the results of his gym-rat status are beginning to pay off in a big way. A versatile and mobile 6-foot-8 forward, Jungwirth can influence the outcome of a game in a positive manner from both the perimeter and in the paint. He has a nice outside shooting stroke out to the three-point point line, but he's also increased his strength and ability to play with his back to the basket. Jungwirth finishes in the paint with an effective baby hook shot, but he can also crash the boards and get putbacks with his improved physicality. Look for Jungwirth to play an enormous role for a very good and very deep Neenah squad in 2026-27.     A lanky big man who loves to finish with authority above the rim, Djilas is attempting to gain weight and strength so he can better hold his ground on post-up opportunities in the paint. Right now, he is most effective at catching the ball on the low blocks and making baseline jump shots or at filling the lane in transition and throwing down a nice dunk. Along with triplet brothers [player_tooltip player_id='2140975' first='Pavle' last='Djilas'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2140963' first='Nikola' last='Djilas'], [player_tooltip player_id='2140952' first='Lazar' last='Djilas'] is picking up recruiting steam among NCAA Division III schools in the Midwest as his combination of size, length and skill are definitely intriguing.     A collegiate prospect in both football and basketball, Evans took big strides in his hoops development over the spring and summer while playing with [program_tooltip program_id='2517147' first='Wisconsin' last='Breakaway'] and Fort Atkinson. The physical and unselfish post player competes with hustle, determination and impressive physicality. He has also become a dependable finisher in the lane thanks to his balance, soft touch and sheer size. One of the more physical frontline prospects in the state's 2027 class, Evans holds NCAA Division II offers in football and has gained attention from mostly Division III programs for basketball.     With his best basketball still ahead of him, Retic is improving at a rapid pace as his fluidity as an athlete appears to have caught his growth spurt of the past few years. At 6-foot-7 and with good length and timing on blocking shots, Retic has emerged as a defensive menace. He's also an improved offensive player, one who can make mid-range jump shots with regularity while also finishing off the glass or above the rim near the basket. The word is just getting out on the upside of this young forward as he played freshman and sophomore years at Reuther High School in Kenosha before transferring to Golda Meir as a junior. Central Baptist State, McHenry College and Viterbo University are among the schools expressing the most interest at this point in Retic.     Now finally completely healthy, Mangum had a huge summer on the club and high school circuits. He displayed the ability to make three-point shots while also finishing in the lane at a high rate. Mangum defends his position well by blocking/altering shots and has developed into a very good rebounder. NCAA Division II Michigan Tech is showing interest along with a long list of Division III programs that includes Carroll, Elmhurst, Eau Claire, La Crosse, Oshkosh, Stevens Point, Stout and Whitewater, among others. Look for Mangum to play a huge factor in the success of the very good Wauwatosa West program in 2026-27.

College coaches are always on the lookout for emerging frontline prospects and Wisconsin's class of 2027 features a good batch of players at the power forward and center positions who have improved their stock. All across the state, 2027 bigs are on the rise and are busy preparing for productive senior seasons.

Following is a look at some the breakout bigs in the 2027 class: