Updated Player Rankings: Jack Kohnen moves to front of 2027 class

A few different players have earned recognition as the No. 1 player in the 2027 class since the initial player rankings came out a year ago. [player_tooltip player_id='2194315' first='Dooney' last='Johnson'] (6-5) of Milwaukee Juneau was the initial pick at No. 1 followed by [player_tooltip player_id='1847792' first='Donovan' last='Davis'] (6-8) of Freedom a few months later. This time around, yet another player has ascended to the top spot as Slinger forward [player_tooltip player_id='2351190' first='Jack' last='Kohnen'] (6-6) heads to the front of the class in the updated Prep Hoops Wisconsin Player Rankings for the 2027 class released today. Of course, Johnson, Davis and Kohnen all are outstanding players and you could make a case for any of the three being the top prospect in the sophomore class. Our choice is Kohnen because we feel he is the most complete player in the class thanks to his scoring, rebounding, passing and versatility. Kohnen received scholarship offers from a pair of top 10 collegiate programs in recent months as both Iowa State and Marquette have put offers on the table. More figure to follow in the spring and summer when Kohnen goes on the national circuit with the [program_tooltip program_id='2391400' first='Team' last='Herro'] club program. Along with younger brother, freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2398448' first='Joey' last='Kohnen'] (6-4), who was named the No. 1 player in the Prep Hoops Wisconsin class of 2028 rankings on Tuesday, [player_tooltip player_id='2351190' first='Jack' last='Kohnen'] has been instrumental in helping Slinger to a 11-1 record. Kohnen is averaging 22.3 points, 11.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists for coach Alex Lavine's squad. He had staggering numbers of 32 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists in Slinger's 88-85 road win over Nicolet last week, and is shooting 53 percent from the field, 75 percent from the foul line and 27 percent (10 of 37) from three-point range. The thing you notice first when watching Kohnen play is his elite passing skills. He sees the floor like a true point guard even though he plays along the baseline and on the wing for Slinger. At his size and with his penchant for scoring when needed, while also always looking for cutting teammates, Kohnen is threat each time he touches the ball. Kohnen and second-ranked [player_tooltip player_id='1847792' first='Donovan' last='Davis'] of Freedom have met twice this season with Davis scoring 36 points and hauling down 17 rebounds in a season-opening 70-55 win in Freedom before Kohnen responded with a 21-points, 12-rebound, six-assist output in the Owls' 71-49 victory over the Irish a month later in the Rick Majerus Wisconsin Basketball Yearbook Shootout. Like Kohnen, Davis owns scholarship offers from high-major programs, including Iowa State and Wisconsin. Davis possesses an extremely impressive combination of size and skill and projects well as a 6-foot-8 power forward at the next level. He is having a huge season for a Freedom squad that is 11-1 under coach Andrew Gibbons. Despite being the defensive focus of every team on his schedule, Davis nonetheless is averaging 25.2 points, 11.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists. He can handle the ball on the perimeter, score with his strength and size in the paint, and make shots from three-point range and the free-throw line. He is a teammate of Kohnen's with the [program_tooltip program_id='2391400' first='Team' last='Herro'] club squad. No. 3-ranked [player_tooltip player_id='2194315' first='Dooney' last='Johnson'], who also competes with the [program_tooltip program_id='2391400' first='Team' last='Herro'] program, is a 6-foot-5 combination guard who can handle the ball, shoot it from deep and slash to the basket to earn trips to the foul line. He also is having a huge season as he is averaging 23.0 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists for the Pioneers, who are competing for the first time this season in the Milwaukee City Conference's top division, the Gold. Johnson's strong play has helped Juneau to a 7-6 record, including a 7-0 mark in league action. Marquette and Wisconsin are among several schools who have extended offers to Johnson. The 2027 class includes several others who figure to earn scholarship offers from high-major collegiate programs. They include: ** No. 4-ranked [player_tooltip player_id='2288469' first='Jalen' last='Brown'] (6-4) of Wauwatosa West. Brown is an athletic wing with endless energy and strong defensive skills. He can also score, particularly in transition. Brown is averaging 23.3 points, 7.7 rebounds and 5.7 assists for Wauwatosa West, and he owns scholarship offers from Arizona State, Grambling and Northern Illinois. ** No. 5-ranked [player_tooltip player_id='2371700' first='Deuce' last='McDuffie'] (6-6) of Milwaukee King is a player on the rise in the 2027 class. The son of former Milwaukee King star Otto McDuffie, Deuce is averaging 15.5 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.5 assists for the Generals, and he has a scholarship offer from Grambling. ** No. 6-ranked [player_tooltip player_id='2140949' first='Kager' last='Knueppel'] (6-8) may not have a Division I offer yet, but that definitely will change once the spring and summer roll around and he's able to showcase his smooth shooting stroke from deep with the [program_tooltip program_id='2391400' first='Team' last='Herro'] program. The younger brother of last year's Mr. Basketball-award winner, Kon Knueppel, Kager is thinner and longer than his older brother, and is recognized primarily for his shooting ability. However, Kager is emerging as a player who also can score off the bounce and off of rebounds. He is averaging 14.9 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists for undefeated Wisconsin Lutheran. ** No. 7 ranked [player_tooltip player_id='2385685' first='Ja'Meir' last='Hayfort'] (6-7) of Nicolet is a newcomer to the Player Rankings as he moved to Wisconsin from Texas prior to the start of the school year. An agile player with length and verticality, Hayfort is a big presence for a very good Nicolet squad as he can rebound and block shots. For the season, Hayfort is averaging 12.2 points and 8.4 rebounds while helping Nicolet to a 10-2 record. The depth in the 2027 class is very good as No. 8 [player_tooltip player_id='2140983' first='Tref' last='Rademaker'] (6-9) of West De Pere, No. 9 [player_tooltip player_id='2140913' first='Eli' last='Krueger'] (6-8) of McFarland and No. 10 [player_tooltip player_id='2194435' first='Max' last='Jones'] (6-4) of West Allis Central also have attracted the attention Division I collegiate programs. Rademaker has tremendous size and length near the basket and is averaging solid numbers for the Phantoms of West De Pere at 17.1 points, 7.9 rebounds and 2.0 assists. Krueger is a versatile forward who can post in the paint or step outside and make shots. He is averaging 12.2 points, 11.1 rebounds and 2.6 assists for a young but very talented squad at McFarland. Jones has a strong body and very good athleticism and mobility. He is a streaky shooter from deep, but can make several in a row when's he on. Jones is averaging 16.1 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.4 assists at West Allis Central. No. 11-ranked [player_tooltip player_id='2371688' first='Quinn' last='Gerke'] (6-3) of Tomah is another player in the class to keep an eye on, particularly because he is such a great shooter. Gerke is averaging 25.7 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.1 assists for the Timberwolves. Check out the Player Rankings on the landing page for Prep Hoops Wisconsin and click on the 2027 link to see the entire list.

A few different players have earned recognition as the No. 1 player in the 2027 class since the initial player rankings came out a year ago.

Dooney Johnson Dooney Johnson 6'5" | CG Milwaukee Juneau | 2027 State #42 Nation WI (6-5) of Milwaukee Juneau was the initial pick at No. 1 followed by Donovan Davis Donovan Davis 6'8" | PF Freedom | 2027 State #26 Nation WI (6-8) of Freedom a few months later.

This time around, yet another player has ascended to the top spot as Slinger forward Jack Kohnen Jack Kohnen 6'6" | SF Slinger | 2027 State #52 Nation WI (6-6) heads to the front of the class in the updated Prep Hoops Wisconsin Player Rankings for the 2027 class released today.

Of course, Johnson, Davis and Kohnen all are outstanding players and you could make a case for any of the three being the top prospect in the sophomore class.

Our choice is Kohnen because we feel he is the most complete player in the class thanks to his scoring, rebounding, passing and versatility.

Kohnen received scholarship offers from a pair of top 10 collegiate programs in recent months as both Iowa State and Marquette have put offers on the table. More figure to follow in the spring and summer when Kohnen goes on the national circuit with the Team Herro club program.

Along with younger brother, freshman Joey Kohnen Joey Kohnen 6'4" | SG/SF Slinger | 2028 State WI (6-4), who was named the No. 1 player in the Prep Hoops Wisconsin class of 2028 rankings on Tuesday, Jack Kohnen Jack Kohnen 6'6" | SF Slinger | 2027 State #52 Nation WI has been instrumental in helping Slinger to a 11-1 record.

Kohnen is averaging 22.3 points, 11.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists for coach Alex Lavine's squad. He had staggering numbers of 32 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists in Slinger's 88-85 road win over Nicolet last week, and is shooting 53 percent from the field, 75 percent from the foul line and 27 percent (10 of 37) from three-point range.

The thing you notice first when watching Kohnen play is his elite passing skills. He sees the floor like a true point guard even though he plays along the baseline and on the wing for Slinger. At his size and with his penchant for scoring when needed, while also always looking for cutting teammates, Kohnen is threat each time he touches the ball.

Kohnen and second-ranked Donovan Davis Donovan Davis 6'8" | PF Freedom | 2027 State #26 Nation WI of Freedom have met twice this season with Davis scoring 36 points and hauling down 17 rebounds in a season-opening 70-55 win in Freedom before Kohnen responded with a 21-points, 12-rebound, six-assist output in the Owls' 71-49 victory over the Irish a month later in the Rick Majerus Wisconsin Basketball Yearbook Shootout.

Like Kohnen, Davis owns scholarship offers from high-major programs, including Iowa State and Wisconsin.

Davis possesses an extremely impressive combination of size and skill and projects well as a 6-foot-8 power forward at the next level.

He is having a huge season for a Freedom squad that is 11-1 under coach Andrew Gibbons. Despite being the defensive focus of every team on his schedule, Davis nonetheless is averaging 25.2 points, 11.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists. He can handle the ball on the perimeter, score with his strength and size in the paint, and make shots from three-point range and the free-throw line. He is a teammate of Kohnen's with the Team Herro club squad.

No. 3-ranked Dooney Johnson Dooney Johnson 6'5" | CG Milwaukee Juneau | 2027 State #42 Nation WI , who also competes with the Team Herro program, is a 6-foot-5 combination guard who can handle the ball, shoot it from deep and slash to the basket to earn trips to the foul line. He also is having a huge season as he is averaging 23.0 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists for the Pioneers, who are competing for the first time this season in the Milwaukee City Conference's top division, the Gold. Johnson's strong play has helped Juneau to a 7-6 record, including a 7-0 mark in league action. Marquette and Wisconsin are among several schools who have extended offers to Johnson.

The 2027 class includes several others who figure to earn scholarship offers from high-major collegiate programs. They include:

** No. 4-ranked Jalen Brown Jalen Brown 6'4" | CG Wauwatosa West | 2027 State #94 Nation WI (6-4) of Wauwatosa West. Brown is an athletic wing with endless energy and strong defensive skills. He can also score, particularly in transition. Brown is averaging 23.3 points, 7.7 rebounds and 5.7 assists for Wauwatosa West, and he owns scholarship offers from Arizona State, Grambling and Northern Illinois.

** No. 5-ranked Deuce McDuffie Deuce McDuffie 6'6" | SF/SG Nicolet | 2027 State #140 Nation WI (6-6) of Milwaukee King is a player on the rise in the 2027 class. The son of former Milwaukee King star Otto McDuffie, Deuce is averaging 15.5 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.5 assists for the Generals, and he has a scholarship offer from Grambling.

** No. 6-ranked Kager Knueppel Kager Knueppel 6'9" | SF/SG Wisconsin Lutheran | 2027 State #112 Nation WI (6-8) may not have a Division I offer yet, but that definitely will change once the spring and summer roll around and he's able to showcase his smooth shooting stroke from deep with the Team Herro program. The younger brother of last year's Mr. Basketball-award winner, Kon Knueppel, Kager is thinner and longer than his older brother, and is recognized primarily for his shooting ability. However, Kager is emerging as a player who also can score off the bounce and off of rebounds. He is averaging 14.9 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists for undefeated Wisconsin Lutheran.

** No. 7 ranked Ja’Meir Hayfort Ja’Meir Hayfort 6'7" | SF Nicolet | 2027 WI (6-7) of Nicolet is a newcomer to the Player Rankings as he moved to Wisconsin from Texas prior to the start of the school year. An agile player with length and verticality, Hayfort is a big presence for a very good Nicolet squad as he can rebound and block shots. For the season, Hayfort is averaging 12.2 points and 8.4 rebounds while helping Nicolet to a 10-2 record.

The depth in the 2027 class is very good as No. 8 Tref Rademaker Tref Rademaker 6'9" | PF West De Pere | 2027 WI (6-9) of West De Pere, No. 9 Eli Krueger Eli Krueger 6'9" | PF McFarland | 2027 State WI (6-8) of McFarland and No. 10 Max Jones Max Jones 6'4" | SG West Allis Central | 2027 State WI (6-4) of West Allis Central also have attracted the attention Division I collegiate programs.

Rademaker has tremendous size and length near the basket and is averaging solid numbers for the Phantoms of West De Pere at 17.1 points, 7.9 rebounds and 2.0 assists.

Krueger is a versatile forward who can post in the paint or step outside and make shots. He is averaging 12.2 points, 11.1 rebounds and 2.6 assists for a young but very talented squad at McFarland.

Jones has a strong body and very good athleticism and mobility. He is a streaky shooter from deep, but can make several in a row when's he on. Jones is averaging 16.1 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.4 assists at West Allis Central.

No. 11-ranked Quinn Gerke Quinn Gerke 6'3" | SG Tomah | 2027 State WI (6-3) of Tomah is another player in the class to keep an eye on, particularly because he is such a great shooter. Gerke is averaging 25.7 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.1 assists for the Timberwolves.

Check out the Player Rankings on the landing page for Prep Hoops Wisconsin and click on the 2027 link to see the entire list.