Struckmann, Slay Headline More 2027 Rankings — Missouri’s Top 25

My coverage of the 2027 class in Missouri rolls on as I now take a look at the next five (16-20) inside my top 25 rankings. The group is loaded with scorers and playmakers who each bring something unique to the table. I'll break down each player's summer and take a look at where they currently stand with recruiting, while also pushing the discussion further as I start to predict what we could see from them this winter.   20. [player_tooltip player_id='2348242' first='Tyler' last='Ray'] | 6'4" Wing | MICDS   The definition of a point forward, Ray can truly do almost everything on the floor. Tyler's strong and physical frame continued to impress this summer, even though it was somewhat of a limited sample size. He played against tough competition and had flashes where you saw one of the state's best.   He still looked to lean heavily on his downhill driving and attack ability, frequently getting paint touches and either converting around the rim or spraying the ball around the perimeter to shooters. He's quick and deliberate as a defender, showing he can switch around the perimeter and keep the ball in front while also being strong enough to compete inside and on the glass.   I think the discussion moving forward is how he continues to work on and develop his perimeter shooting. I think with this should come even more recruiting interest and should allow MICDS to earn another trip to Columbia this coming March.   19. [player_tooltip player_id='2346078' first='Emery' last='Woehrmann'] | 6'3" Guard | St. Francis Borgia   Woehrmann is one of the state's most efficient scorers and shooters, and his run just continued this summer. Whether he's running off screens or playing out of drive-and-kick situations, he's always ready to let it fly and needs very limited space to get his shot off. There were a few games this summer where he caught fire, much like he did last winter for Borgia — understanding when he needs to ride the hot hand and search out looks.   However, don't be confused, he's not just a shooter. This summer also showed a player who's comfortable attacking the basket and a shot-maker inside the arc who can play off one foot and fade to find space. He's also extremely intelligent, reading and scanning the floor as a cutter and mover while seeing the floor well as a passer and facilitator when the situation calls for it. Emery's handle is also extremely underrated, and he can really change speeds in tight coverage.   After picking up his first offer this summer from Missouri S&T, I expected many other regional programs to follow suit, but that did not happen. It will be interesting to see how his recruitment continues to evolve, as I think he's in the conversation as one of the state's best overall scorers. If his huge season with Borgia last winter was any indication, expect more of the same, and he could honestly set some records in the process.   18. [player_tooltip player_id='2344218' first='Nolan' last='Struckmann'] | 6'8" Forward | St. Dominic   One of the more rapidly ascending prospects in the state, Struckmann's summer was massive, especially on the recruiting trail. His offer list included MSU Denver, Drury, Pittsburg State, Maryville, Missouri S&T, South Dakota Mines, and Northwest Missouri State. His versatility over the summer was the difference in my opinion — an extremely active rebounder who also brought a dynamic scoring and facilitating package on the offensive end.   He showed he could handle the ball on the perimeter, attack off the bounce, and make plays as an instinctive passer and creator. Not to mention what he can do as a scorer — stretching the floor, playing in the mid-range, and finishing well around the rim when needed. That versatility also appeared to show up defensively, where he's made strides and is able to defend multiple positions while still protecting the rim.   While he put up strong numbers last winter with St. Dominic, I think we could be looking at a completely different player this year — one who should put up big numbers and continue that recruiting roll from the summer.   17. [player_tooltip player_id='2348237' first='Wyatt' last='Slay'] | 6'4" Guard | Principia   Slay is the first name on this list that's already committed at the next level. Heading to Eastern Illinois, his recruitment is pretty much wrapped up at this point, and he can put his focus into his final season playing alongside a loaded group of talented players at Principia. His size on the perimeter continued to make an impression this summer — it allows him to play up over the top of guards and get his shot off pretty much whenever he wants.   He's an instinctual and smart player, seeming to always make the right basketball play and never forcing things. You see elements of this with the vision and passing he plays with and how he just seems to take what the defense gives him as a scorer. He can stretch the floor as an accurate and confident long-range shooter but might be at his best in the mid-range, where he gets to balance quickly and looks extremely comfortable. Regardless, he's great at finding and navigating space while being big enough and strong enough to finish around the rim through contact when needed.   While I think we all expect Principia to be a national power once again, you can't help but already think about how Slay should be an immediate impact player at the next level and how the Panthers might have stolen one in the 2027 recruiting cycle.   16. [player_tooltip player_id='2334930' first='Brandon' last='Rooks'] | 6'0" Guard | Battle   Quietly moving under the radar, it was great to see Rooks take a step this summer and schools finally start to take notice. After receiving offers from SIUE, Central Missouri, Eastern Illinois, and Austin Peay, Brandon decided to make it official and commit to the Governors in August. Really underrated as an athlete, he's much more explosive in person and can play up around the rim as a finisher in the open floor.   His perimeter shooting this summer just looked effortless — he showcased a quick release with minimal movement and a fluidness that really stood out. His ball handling is no question his biggest asset, as he plays with the ball on a string and uses that handle to break down defenders in isolation opportunities. At just 6'0", his finishing is much better than expected through traffic, as he can get to two feet and play through defenders' bodies, which allows him to create space. His ability to play in the mid-range also makes him tough, as he can abruptly stop or get to a floater that really throws off the timing of defenders.   Not to mention how much better he looked defensively — challenging ball handlers and showing good lateral quickness. Another winter should see big numbers for Rooks as he leads the way for Battle and should honestly be one of the state's top overall scorers when the season comes to a close.

My coverage of the 2027 class in Missouri rolls on as I now take a look at the next five (16-20) inside my top 25 rankings. The group is loaded with scorers and playmakers who each bring something unique to the table. I'll break down each player's summer and take a look at where they currently stand with recruiting, while also pushing the discussion further as I start to predict what we could see from them this winter.