2027 Centers to See

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The smallest positional group by numbers, just happens to be the biggest group by size - we're talking about the <em>centers</em>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027's group got a major boost when <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='3693245' first='Mahamadou' last='Landoure']</em></strong> announced that he would do a post-graduate year at <em>Bridgton Academy</em>. The 6'10" big man, who is committed to <strong><em>Virginia</em></strong>, is a double-double threat every time he steps on the floor with his combination of size, strength, physicality, and athleticism.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below are five more <em>centers</em> that we'll be following during the upcoming season:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2341348"],"_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-6a91c4e7ba64c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Booth, a forward out of <em>Milton Academy</em> in Massachusetts, checks in at <strong><em>#5</em></strong> among the <em>centers</em> and <strong><em>#41</em></strong> overall in this update. The 6'10" big has continued to add to his frame over the last 6 months and, as a result, is playing with more confidence and physicality around the rim. He can put the ball on the floor as a straight line driver, has touch as a finisher, and continues to show signs of floor spacing ability as a shooter. He does a nice job of making an impact on the glass, is vocal in screening actions, and does a nice job of protecting the rim as a help-side defender. He recently came off the board with a commitment to <strong><em>Holy Cross</em></strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3695170"],"_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-6a91c4e7ba6ed"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kandji, a forward out of <em>CATS Academy</em> in Massachusetts, checks in at <strong><em>#6</em></strong> among the <em>centers</em> and <strong><em>#46</em></strong> overall in this update. The 6'10" big is a space eater that really impressed this summer with his improved conditioning and physicality. He's really good running the floor, tries to finish with power around the rim, and does a nice job of rolling hard out of ball screens. He plays with a high motor, gives great effort on the glass, and competes at a high level on the defensive end of the floor. His ability to protect the rim is noticable and makes opposing guards think twice about trying to finish deep in the paint.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2234138"],"_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-6a91c4e7ba73b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Uzgiris, a forward out of the <em>St. Luke's School</em> in Connecticut, checks in at <strong><em>#8</em></strong> among the <em>centers</em> and <strong><em>#59</em></strong> overall in this update. The 7'0" big is one of the most improved prospects in the region, turning heads this summer and asserting himself as a Division I prospect. He has elite size for the position, has drastically improved his conditioning, and is playing the best basketball of his career as of late. He can protect the rim, particularly when sliding over from a help position, does a nice job of keeping opposing bigs off the glass, and has more lateral mobility than he gets credit for. Offensively, his athleticism has improved and with good hands, he's a threat to catch and finish everything around the rim. He put an end to his recruitment earlier this summer with a commitment to <strong><em>Brown</em></strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2957215"],"_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-6a91c4e7ba780"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cormier, a forward out of <em>Proctor Academy</em> in New Hampshire, checks in at <strong><em>#16</em></strong> among the <em>centers</em> and <strong><em>#146</em></strong> overall in this update. The 6'8" big man is one of the better floor spacers in this class and spent the summer proving so against high level competition. He has a high release on his shot, allowing him to get it off against most defenders, and has started to leverage his shooting as a driver off the bounce. Defensively, he moves well in space, has the strength to compete on the glass, and shows a good understanding of how to play angles. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2205045"],"_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-6a91c4e7ba7c4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wettlaufer, a forward out of <em>Worcester Academy</em> in Massachusetts, checks in at <strong><em>#18</em></strong> among the <em>centers</em> and <strong><em>#183</em></strong> overall in this update. The 6'9" big has good size for the position, can play above the rim, and runs the floor hard in transition. He does a nice job of finishing off dump offs and as a short roller and even shows the ability to knock down catch and shoot threes. He's also impressed as a passer out of the high post and doubles on the block. He does a nice job of using his length to wall up around the rim and is active on the glass, keeping plays alive until he can corral rebounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With our positional breakdowns now complete, we'll wrap up coverage for the <em>Class of 2027</em> rankings update with a look at committed prospects and the <em>Watch List</em>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->