2027 Rankings: 3 Big Questions at the Top

Check the site throughout the week for more articles on 2027 prospects!   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Tyson or Joc?</h2>   A drawback to the rankings system that I always lament is that the numbers feel too cut and dry. Especially for individual player rankings like these. College programs will have different preferences for players that fit their systems and culture. While tiers can open another can of worms (my son isn't top tier?!?!?!). It does feel like based on current high school and AAU production, mixed with longterm potential, there's a top two in 2027. With it being a coinflip for who's best.   Pogi just had one of the best scoring seasons in Class 6A in recent years. Mitchell has played for one title and won another in only two years in Class 5A. And now has taken his game to the next level this spring. Pogi doesn't have as free reign as Mitchell in AAU, but is still part of a winning program. While also working on his PG skills to go along with the barrage of scoring he unleashes in Oklahoma competition.   There's a decent chance these two keep flipping back and forth, because it's more of an 1A and 1B. Both prospects and their people should believe they're each the best, because they are outstanding players. The nature of the rankings make it an "either or" situation, which is a bit unfair. They are both exceptional prospects, with the potential to play at the highest levels of collegiate basketball.    After leading Booker T Washington to the class 5A State Title game, Mitchell has risen to the occasion in producing stats and wins on the Nike EYB 16U circuit. He has a rare combination of strength and quick twitch movements, that make him a handful to keep out the lane. Also rebounds very well for a guard, which allows him to push the tempo off defensive board. The improved motor and fight as the competition level has increased are very good long term signs. Right now he's a streaky shooter from deep, but has a good mid-range game. As he continues to refine his long range shooting, Mitchell has a chance to be an unstoppable force in Oklahoma over the next two seasons. While also continuing to add to his offer list.     Pogi absolutely lit up Class 6A with tight handles, great reading of the floor as a scorer and some of the best shooting ability in Oklahoma. Has parking lot range from three, which creates gravity and room for him to carve up the defense in the mid-range. Or he can slip all the way to the rim, where he understands angles and is a great finisher for his size. With well established scoring chops, the next steps in his game are being explored with the prestigious MoKan program. They're 6-2 in Nike EYB 16 U play, with Pogi not scoring at the same rate as in high school. But playing with and winning with other future collegiate players is very good practice for when he reaches the next level.    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Football Impact's</h2>   While Oklahoma often punches above its weight in basketball, football is still king here. Especially with the sheer scholarship numbers advantage football has over basketball. Which allows college football programs to take more swings on prospect's potential. While the changes in basketball have pushed more prospects to the JuCo level, or other routes instead of straight D1. Among the top 2027 basketball prospects, there's four who while they likely would have next level futures in basketball. The football offers will be higher levels, and for some already come hit.   Top among the examples is [player_tooltip player_id='2327106' first='Cooper' last='Hackett'], the premier post player in the Class of 2027. He's also a nationally recruited offensive tackle prospect. Gabriel Osborne is an athletic guard, who is a two way monster. Especially with his ball hawking ability on defense, which also translates into being a playmaking DB on the gridiron. He's quite similar to another athletic 405 guard from recent years, Corey Gordon who has played football at Baylor and now Louisville. [player_tooltip player_id='2140743' first='Greydon' last='Howell'] has put up video game numbers in southeastern Oklahoma for two years, but last fall he picked up the pads. And the football offers have started to roll in as a dynamic, dual threat QB. Another heady lead guard who also plays QB is [player_tooltip player_id='2439787' first='Chauncey' last='Cravens']. Football is a high possibility for him as well.     <h2 class="wp-block-heading">918's Knocking on the Door</h2>   Too borrow terminology from some friends "the 918 kids are looking kinda nice". There's of course Joc at the top, but there's more prospects from the east side of the state that are among the best in the class. Some already have quite the resume of production and wins, while there also being untapped upside among this group.      Duffie already has a translatable game. He's one of the top shooters in class. Good positional size and a willingness to defend makes him switchable on defense. Is unselfish and a connector and offense as well. Starting to become stronger and more athletic, making him an even better finisher in the rim. Earned an offer from ORU and has a rock solid floor, with the potential to become even more.     Lowe is one of the premier bucket givers in Oklahoma. Has an extra gear in transition, along with stop start ability in the halfcourt. Glides to the rim, while also having a lethal pull up. Strong shooter as well from distance. Has been up and down against national competition, as he's very reliant on scoring right now. Which at times can make his impact muted. As he matures he should become stronger, which will be needed for finishing when playing upper tier high school competition and also at the next level. Lowe will always be a bucket, the questions now will be how does the rest of his game develop.     True lead guard skills, in the body of a two-guard/wing. Starting to flash some intriguing athlete ability, but his bread and butter might be the way he operates in the halfcourt. Very hard to stop to get to his spots in the mid-range. Which is added by the height advantage. Motor can run a little cold at times, but improvements like that do tend to come with gift of maturity as players age. Set for a potentially monstrous season for one of Oklahoma's best high school programs, Broken Arrow.     Long arm wing prospect, who has one of the higher upsides in the class. Very strong high school season, has led way to a spring against national competition. His play in those events was up and down. The flashes of improved shooting and high energy moemnts are promising. But he's not consistent in that production yet. Crosslen is the type of prospect who as long he keeps working, will keep looking different after every six month period. Because while he didn't hit high school as as highly touted resume as some other top prospects, the long term potential is very much there.

Check the site throughout the week for more articles on 2027 prospects!