2027 Rankings Update: The New Faces

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After what was an incredible summer of basketball we have now updated the 2027 rankings here in North Carolina and there have been a ton of new names entering amongst the ranked prospects for a variety of different reasons and in different spots littered throughout the collective. Transfers, reclassifications, and guys just getting better made a lot of different new names make a splash in this latest update. Let's take a deeper look at some of the new faces in the 2027 rankings. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2500754"],"_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-6a7dec78f08f5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Walters graduated from Clayton a few months ago but made the decision to to a post-grad year at NC GBB under Coach Austin who has coached him with No Guts No Glory the last couple of years. After a super strong season with that group on the UA Rise Circuit where he had a legit MVP case along with his production at DMV Live for this NC GBB team, it was easy to slot him in there amongst the top five as he makes his 2027 rankings debut. Walters is a high octane wing with the ability to make any play on the floor while possessing tremendous athletic upside and versatility on the defensive end of the floor. Walters has improved his outside touch and off hand finishing tremendously over the last 10-12 months to make him an even more complete offensive player. He's a guy that can make a push for the top spot this season as he makes a real splash into the top five after joining this 2027 class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2396987"],"_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-6a7dec78f09c4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Stokes is a guy that has been a consistent producer in the State of North Carolina and probably deserved to be ranked before this but we were able to track his play this summer with PSB and in June with Davidson Day where he's proving himself to be a bonafide next level prospect. Stokes is a really strong rebounder for his size while possessing the ability to exploit mismatches on the offensive end of the floor. He's too big for guards and too quick with the ball for bigs and that allows him to operate with a ton of freedom on that end of the floor. He's a very useful player in transition and is just generally more active than most other players on the floor. Keep your eye on Stokes with Davidson Day this year as he continues to make his next level case and could be another riser in the next update. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3653522"],"_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-6a7dec78f0a5b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hancock is a premier sniper in this 2027 class here in North Carolina and he proved it all summer long as he helped [program_tooltip program_id='2399240' first='Dub' last='Salem'] 17u capture a PHL Championship. Hancock had so many big games with his shooting over the course of the travel ball season, often operating in a true flow state where he was able to have multiple games with 7+ three's made while shooting over 50% from deep in the process. Hancock is starting to get some traction in the recruiting world with NC Wesleyan coming in as the latest offer for the sharpshooter. Hancock can help initiate your offense and operate out of ball screen's as well but his best ability is the quick trigger from deep where he's proven to be absolutely lethal. He's got a chance to continue rising in the rankings as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3654238"],"_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-6a7dec78f0b02"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Haupt is another key name in this 2027 class as a guy who can provide some size and skill in the front-court as he continues to develop his overall game. Haupt did a really good job for this FBP 17u team every time we saw them as the man in the middle defensively and someone that can help them finish on the interior offensively. Haupt has proven he can operate from multiple levels on the floor as he's showing improved touch from the perimeter with time. Keep an eye out for Haupt at NRCA this year as they have one of the more interesting rosters in the NCISAA this upcoming season as he'll be a major part of what they do this year. He should continue to garner next level interest as he game continues to round into form. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3595078"],"_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-6a7df576e622c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kelly makes his debut in the rankings and he's a guy that frankly has a real chance to continue rising through in further updates as he is a kid that can flat out make plays with the basketball in his hands. With Wildcats Elite this past summer, Kelly orchestrated their offense at a high level as he balanced his scoring and playmaking responsibilities quite well. His shot making is there, he can use his frame to play through contact, and he's also active on the defensive end of the floor when needed. There's no doubt he's going to come on strong this season at Hillside where he will be able to make his case as a bonafide next level prospect and continue to rise in the 2027 rankings. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->