2027 Rankings Review

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a comprehensive review of the latest 2027 rankings with rankings risers, new additions and news and notes about many.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Movers &amp; Shakers</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>One big movement was with prospect [player_tooltip player_id='2561914' first='Pierson' last='Dejneka'] (28 to 15) who is coming off of one of the best AAU/travel seasons that I can remember in recent years with WV players. Pierson shot a mind boggling 45% from three and made over 140 for the season. Maybe the most notable quality is according to his coach, he guards every team's best player and challenges himself every time out. We were able to see Pierson on several streams last season and he was nothing less than impressive catch and shooter as well as dangerous with the ball in transition. None of that has changed after looking at his film from AAU and in fact he's expanded his bag. Dejneka who interestingly enough has dual citizenship with Brazil, has recently been named to the country's national 17U team which those of us who know the level of basketball in Brazil understand how big of an honor that is. <br><br>The other big mover was [player_tooltip player_id='2561904' first='Kooper' last='Sainato'] (64 to 47). Koop showed up at the Hoop Summit in August and busted some tails in the process. He can be a physical and bruising guard with great handles and good vision. He scores it easily around the rim due to his raw strength as well as plays a pass first point guard role when necessary. Sainato is also a standout football player who could very well make his move forward in college football, but for now, we're pushing basketball for him!<br><br>This class is so interesting in that from 4 to 20 there's an incredible amount of parity between players. Not saying that nobody is better than someone below them but this is by far the toughest group I've every ranked in three years and in almost fifty rankings cycles. Just take the point guards alone, [player_tooltip player_id='2340983' first='Connor' last='Balwanz'], [player_tooltip player_id='2053688' first='Jasiah' last='King'], [player_tooltip player_id='2306566' first='Isaiah' last='Turner'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2337762' first='Gavin' last='Williams'] are all D2 level talents and virtually dead even on talent and skill. So you go to the next factor, offers and interest. I'd expect the offers to possibly shake things up by the end of next year for this group of four, but they're all special players regardless.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Offers</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2243492' first='Dazon' last='Reid'] finally got that first D1 offer that we all knew was coming but made us a bit antsy. Reid had an incredible year at Huntington Prep considering his move from public school to the national powerhouse who plays a national schedule. Reid has nearly a college ready body and college made game. He shoots it very well from deep and is a monster in transition with the highest level of competitiveness you could imagine. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2561912' first='Riley' last='Johnson'] was recently offered by Davis &amp; Elkins. Johnson is a sharpshooting point guard from Herbert Hoover.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I think it's reasonable to say we can expect offers for several in this class throughout the school season and certainly during spring live periods in 2026. The guys I would expect to be offered first are: [player_tooltip player_id='2053688' first='Jasiah' last='King'], [player_tooltip player_id='2717106' first='Luke' last='Byrer'], [player_tooltip player_id='2306566' first='Isaiah' last='Turner'], [player_tooltip player_id='2690991' first='Konnor' last='Fox'], [player_tooltip player_id='2434792' first='Marshall' last='Summers'] and of course [player_tooltip player_id='2561914' first='Pierson' last='Dejneka']. Not to say one of the others couldn't be offered, but from my intel and knowledge of what coaches are looking for in terms of position, size and skill, these guys should be getting some calls. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">News &amp; Notes</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the most interesting facts about this group which is actually amazing as well is it has at least three D1 football prospects in the rankings. [player_tooltip player_id='2337762' first='Gavin' last='Williams'], who many believe will kick on the D1 level, Kaliel Lewis who's pegged as a possible D1 WR/TE and [player_tooltip player_id='2849057' first='David' last='Robinson Jr']. who already has a D1 football offer. All are incredible athletes and basketball players but we're projecting their brightest of futures will be on the gridiron. Another notable player in the rankings who also is a high-level football player is [player_tooltip player_id='2721088' first='Jay' last='Bordas']. Bordas is a quickly rising QB prospect who seems to be on the high level D2 to low level D1 line but also is one of Park's top hoopers at guard. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Some emerging stars that alot of folks probably havent hear much about yet: [player_tooltip player_id='2434992' first='Kaden' last='Welch'], came off the bench as a wing last year for GW, this year he'll likely be running the show at point which makes him an attractive prospect to be a guard at 6'3"ish and have that kind of guard skills. [player_tooltip player_id='2639442' first='Kyler' last='Carpenter'], is one of the bigger wings in this class who emerged as one of Summit Christian's top players last year. He's great in transition and finishes athletically for a 6'5" to 6'6" wing. [player_tooltip player_id='2425401' first='Auric' last='Booker'] is one of my favorite players that I got to see for the first time in person this past summer on the Big Shots circuit. I love his tempo, vision and downhill attitude approach. Booker and I had some long talks about the direction of his development, so I'd expect to see a true floor leader this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a name to keep in mind, [player_tooltip player_id='2436136' first='Andrew' last='Dotson'] has returned to Wayne after spending a couple years in the Expressions Prep high school program. With the graduation of a big part of their scoring, Dotson has a chance and the talent to be an all-state caliber player. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the players I saw this past summer who left a lasting impression on me was [player_tooltip player_id='2624032' first='Antoine' last='Hicks']. I loved his intensity, motor and willingness to do anything necessary to win. Over the course of one tournament, I saw him take multiple charges, cause several turnovers and save several layups just on hustle. Hicks isn't known as a score first player but doesn't have to be scoring to affect the game or help his team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->