2027 Prospect Update: Top 20 MD/DC Forwards

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the fall approaches, we kick off another series here at Prep Hoops MD/DC where we'll spotlight the top-20 prospect at each position. We'll go through various classes in this manner and now that we've covered the point guards, we move to the combo guards belonging to the rising senior class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the top 20&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/2026/08/2027-prospect-update-md-dcs-top-20-point-guards/">2027 point guards, click here.</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the top 20 2027&nbsp;<a href="https://prephoops.com/2026/08/2027-prospect-update-md-dc-top-20-combo-guards/"><strong>combo guards, click here.</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the top 20 2027 <a href="https://prephoops.com/2026/09/2027-prospect-update-md-dc-top-20-small-forwards/"><strong>small forwards, click here.</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1. [player_tooltip player_id='2353561' first='Brandon' last='Woodard'] of Bishop McNamara/[program_tooltip program_id='2078457' first='Team' last='Durant']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2. [player_tooltip player_id='2353562' first='Ian' last='Condon'] of Sidwell Friends/[program_tooltip program_id='2076999' first='Team' last='Melo'] </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>3. [player_tooltip player_id='2454529' first='Junior' last='Mancho'] of Mt. Carmel/[program_tooltip program_id='2077005' first='Team' last='Thrill']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2454529"],"_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-6a9895329a4f0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mancho enters his senior season as the top big man prospect in the BCL/MIAA and Mount Carmel is going to need him to perform in order to stay in the mix for conference supremacy. While Mancho's overall game and approach has been similar since his freshman season, his growth and time spent in the weight room is going to make him a force in the paint at both ends. Even compared to last season, Mancho's ability to seal and maintain position in the post is going to be unmatched in the Catholic League. His relentless motor allows him to control the glass and the way he punishes opposing guards with screens will present plenty of advantages for himself and others. The most vocal leader on this list, Mancho will act as the anchor and dictator of energy for the Cougars.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>4. Danny Abass of DeMatha/Team Loaded</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5. [player_tooltip player_id='2639998' first='Brandon' last='Brooks'] of CH Flowers/[program_tooltip program_id='2078456' first='DC' last='Premier']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6. [player_tooltip player_id='2815039' first='Jamar' last='Nix'] of Sherwood/Mid-Atlantic Select</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2815039"],"_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-6a9895329a525"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Nix is looking to capitalize on a productive summer with [program_tooltip program_id='2076989' first='Mid' last='Atlantic Select'] on MHC with a big senior season as the centerpiece for Sherwood. He was a consistent double-double threat every time he stepped on the floor as he attacked the glass with ferocity. Since the winter, Nix has developed as more of a capable driver from the perimeter and when he gets an edge on his defender, he's liable to rise up and finish above the rim. A lob threat in transition, Nix will put his head down and sprint the lanes with purpose offensively. On the opposing side of things, he'll look to hunt opportunities for chase down blocks in attempts to make a momentum-changing play defensively. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>7. [player_tooltip player_id='2353601' first='Michael' last='Jones Lloyd'] of Friendship Tech Prep</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8. [player_tooltip player_id='2623243' first='Bryson' last='Mims'] of Southern/Runnin Mavs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9. [player_tooltip player_id='2353603' first='Jabreem' last='Harvey'] of Coolidge</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10. [player_tooltip player_id='3684648' first='Quinn' last='Wilson'] of Mt. Zion Preparatory Academy</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>11. [player_tooltip player_id='2612922' first='David' last='Barker'] of DeMatha</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>12. [player_tooltip player_id='2744316' first='Isaac' last='Wallsten'] of St. Alban's/[program_tooltip program_id='2450576' first='Team' last='Museum']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>13. [player_tooltip player_id='3702768' first='Zion' last='Copeland'] of Theodore Roosevelt</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>14. Daz'Mir Giles of St. Frances/Team Beyond</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3467554"],"_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-6a9895329a549"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the transfer decisions that took place late in August was Giles. After a few moving pieces, St. Frances was in need of a forward with size, length and athleticism to bolster their front court rotation and Giles fits that mold perfectly. The adjustment to playing alongside high level guards will take time, but the mobility and upside are clear with the 6-foot-8 senior. Those around him will make life easy and as long as he's able to catch around or above the rim with power, be a presence in the rebounding category and flash the skill in spurts, all signs point to the Panthers and Giles having a big 2026-27 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>15. [player_tooltip player_id='3685587' first='Nnamdi' last='Ezeaputa'] of Perry Hall</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3685587"],"_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-6a9895329a569"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ezeaputa is a bit of a Swiss army knife at this stage of his development and can really toggle between the 2-4 positions for Perry Hall. The versatility is valuable for this year's roster and it surfaces on both ends of the floor for the 6-foot-4 senior. While there may be a couple of teams entering the season in Baltimore County who are viewed as favorites, it's set to be one of those years that anyone can be beat on any night. Given Ezeaputa's stat-stuffing capabilities, it should put the Gators in a nice spot to rattle off an upset or two before gearing up for state tourney play in 2027.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>16. [player_tooltip player_id='2912915' first='Tristan' last='Johnson'] of Thurgood Marshall/[program_tooltip program_id='2458561' first='Global' last='Squad']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>17. [player_tooltip player_id='3552045' first='Timothy' last='Coaxum'] of Dunbar (DC)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>18. [player_tooltip player_id='3685586' first='Chaze' last='Johnson'] of Kenwood</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>19. [player_tooltip player_id='3316852' first='Amari' last='Bandale'] of Friendship Tech Academy</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>20. [player_tooltip player_id='3246145' first='Adriel' last='Adesanya'] of Huntingtown</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->