Cisse, Powers Ride Momentum in 2027 Rankings — Missouri’s Top 25

My top 25 player rankings for the state of Missouri continue as we now move inside the top 15 and get a peek at some heavily recruited names. Let's take a look at how they fared this summer and how it should set them up for the upcoming winter season with their respective programs.   15. [player_tooltip player_id='2334929' first='Will' last='Foulk'] | 6'0" Guard | De Smet Jesuit   The Southeast Missouri commit is yet another St. Louis-area guard who benefited from an impressive summer. Playing in a number of big games against other high-end recruits, he set the tone and showed he belongs right there with any guard in both the region and the country. He's an underrated athlete who plays with confidence and feel while running the show.   You saw a player this summer who looked comfortable in both transition as well as the half court and really grabbed control on both ends of the floor with his leadership and intensity.   He keeps defenders off balance regularly, allowing him to find space or get to spots frequently — whether that be finishing at the rim away from length or pulling up in space and showing off his confident shooting stroke. Will is an extremely tough and competitive kid, and you see it immediately. It might actually be his biggest asset.   He should now be the undisputed leader of a De Smet program that you always think of as a contender to cut down the nets at the end of the year.   14. [player_tooltip player_id='2334892' first='Mike' last='Thomas III'] | 6'6" Wing | Summit Christian   While many around the Kansas City metro have known about Mike for years, it has taken time for programs to show interest. This summer, you finally started to see that interest turn into offers, as there were a number of schools that extended offers his way, including Drake, Northern Illinois, and Washburn. He's a legitimate 6'6” with wide shoulders and a solid build and plays with a positionless type of game.   Over the summer, you saw a guy who was extremely confident catching and shooting from long range — showing he can find space and play off of others. Thomas was also successful playing out of dribble handoffs, where he got downhill and finished over his right shoulder often. He's athletic enough to run the floor and punch it home in transition while making sneaky plays on the defensive end with deflections and blocked shots. His name has really ascended this summer, and he should be able to ride that momentum through the fall and into the winter.   While Summit Christian should continue to be competitive in the Kansas City metro area, Thomas could take them over the top this year if everything aligns for him and he's able to consistently take over games.   13. Leon Powell, Jr. | 6'5" Guard | Vashon   Powell is probably the most unique player on this list, as he pairs size and length with overwhelming athleticism and motor. Programs have been in on Leon heavily over the past couple of years, with offers from Illinois State, Belmont, Little Rock, Loyola, Austin Peay, Southern Indiana, La Salle, Illinois-Chicago, Southern Illinois, SIUE, Cal State Fullerton, and Southeast Missouri. He's a true two-way player who can take over games on either end.   He's continued to play with a level of explosiveness as a finisher, particularly in transition — skying above the rim and bringing power when needed. His ball handling and shooting looked like they took a step forward this summer, allowing him to find space in the open floor and stretch the floor as a more consistent overall shooter. Defensively, he can guard almost every position on the floor and does an excellent job containing ball handlers and turning them over. He's typically the first to hit the floor when you see a 50/50 ball, and he's an impressive rebounder and passer — showing signs of a full-rounded player with still plenty of room to grow.   You'll see him this winter back with Vashon, playing one of the toughest schedules in the region and across the nation. He'll be tested, and I expect him to embrace those tests.   12. [player_tooltip player_id='2334910' first='Sekou' last='Cisse'] | 6'8" Forward | Principia   It's refreshing to see a true big prospect continue to grow and have success — and embrace a physical and workmanlike approach. Cisse's summer saw his game go to another level, often taking over contests on the interior with a combination of power and finesse. He seemed to finish everything around the rim with two hands and force, playing through contact and slicing through openings. He's also got a tremendous feel playing off of downhill drivers and making himself available in tight areas.   While his footwork on the low box is very capable, I think his biggest strength is his ability to run the floor consistently and get from rim to rim in a hurry. He's also much longer in person, playing with an impressive wingspan on both ends. Defensively, he's an anchor, as he can bang with bigger bodies and also turn away shots in a hurry. It will be worth watching how his shooting continues to develop and grow this winter.   He's balancing a long list of offers right now from Arizona State, Illinois, Ohio, St. Louis, Southern Illinois, Southeast Missouri, Lindenwood, and Austin Peay. Playing with Principia again this winter, expect some big platforms and intriguing matchups that could continue to see Sekou find more offers and clear up his recruiting picture moving forward.   11. [player_tooltip player_id='2334909' first='Will' last='Powers'] 6'5" Guard | Westminster Christian   Powers is right on the cusp of the top 10 in my opinion and had a stretch this summer where his name blew up, generating a number of offers in a short period of time thanks to his strong run. The list included Kansas State, Utah State, Bradley, Wyoming, St. Louis, Colorado State, Illinois State, Belmont, Miami Ohio, Northwestern, Northern Iowa, and Southern Illinois.   Physically, he looked like a different player over the summer with more size and strength and even added a couple of inches, giving him an advantage playing off the wing as a shooter or driver. While he's always been a lights-out perimeter shooter, he was able to add a slashing element where he got to the rim. His finishing took a huge step forward thanks to that size and increased athleticism and explosion. He takes pride in running the floor and putting pressure on defenses with how he fills the wing and is always looking to catch and shoot.   He's a true combo guard, as you saw him play on and off the ball with the ability to score or facilitate depending on the different looks he might see. He has recently committed to Utah State, and you should see another strong winter with Westminster Christian — expect more eye-popping numbers as he leads the way.

My top 25 player rankings for the state of Missouri continue as we now move inside the top 15 and get a peek at some heavily recruited names. Let's take a look at how they fared this summer and how it should set them up for the upcoming winter season with their respective programs.