2027 Ranking Update: Top Newcomers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>PH NorCal has updated the Class of 2027 rankings. Sometimes we don't see newcomers until the regular high school basketball season begins in November. Basketball isn't their main sport, some don't play club ball. For whatever reason these are players we're seeing for the first time with their high school team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='3038323' first='Emmanuel' last='Ahamefule']: He's our highest ranked newcomer, from England. He was cleared to play right before league started. He's a strong body prospect with good activity around the rim, good hops with timing, tries to dunk everything coming off the rim. He's a 6'9 rebounder, takes it up strong on balance in traffic. He has some paint presence. He's still sharpening his post skills, right now it's turn with balance, power up. We'll see more.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='3191698' first='Ezra' last='Rielly']: He's long and wiry with good activity around the rim. He goes after rebounds, follows up misses with tap ins, and dunks. He fills lanes for transition dunks. You can go to him in the post, he'll use one or two dribbles turn, plant, use a jump hook, paint jumper, or finish at the rim might dunk it. He's got a mid-range jump shot. He can play up top using his length to trap and deflect. He'll go after blocks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2867323' first='Jordan' last='Rice']: He's a productive player at 6'5 he can handle away from the basket, score in the post. He's productive on both sides of the ball. He rebounds, brings it up, handles ball pressure. He uses dribble drives from different areas including high post, baseline, and the sides to finish in the paint. He hits short jumper, open 3's. He sees the court looks to involve others as a facilitator. He's been a double, double prospect this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2446932' first='Adrian' last='Galloway']: A good all around prospect, his focus isn't on just scoring points. Standing 6'6 he can handle up top, and on the sides. He had good balance driving to the basket, including a spin move from the top. He plays the high post, works along the baseline. He can defend multiple positions. He's a rebounder, does well getting his hands on the ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='3336430' first='Keimani' last='Thompson']: He's long, square shoulders, with a wiry frame to build on. Standing 6'8 still growing, and learning how to use his size to his advantage. He plays in the post, facing up, turning, using a couple of dribbles to get his shot a paint jumper. He has 3-point range, to shoot if open. Good upside, can go higher with a good Spring and Summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2443117' first='Gene' last='Castillo']: A solid comb guard with a good shot. He handles, has vision, a willing passer, can handle pressure bringing the ball up court. He looks for his shot, drives from different angles including the baseline for short jumpers, and floaters. He hit the mid-range, knocks down 3's in the corner. He had a few quick hitters in transition. He has foot speed to defend up top, got a few steals, passed it up for assists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='3135650' first='CJ' last='Graham']: Physically fit wing/forward. He's aggressive looking to put points on the board. He handles on the perimeter and in transition, goes hard to the basket handling bumps, he doesn't get knocked off balance. He plants, powers up off two feet in the post. He'll shoot corner 3's if open, He rebounds on both ends. 10pts, 5rebs a game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='3157877' first='Najee' last='Banks']: A slasher/cutter moves the ball around the perimeter. He's fast going up the court, can split two defenders making his way to the basket. He has lengthy arms and movement defending in full court. He sets solid screen for other guards. A good rebounding guard, with underrated guard skills.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2917471' first='Jack' last='Herman']: A 6'4 shooting guard he's a real threat to knock down 3-pointers in the corner, wings, and coming up court in transition. He'll show and go using a dribble or two to get into the paint from the baseline, and sides, planting two feet, taking it up in traffic. He's got length to help rebound. He'll run to fill lanes or find open spots for 3's. He'll make the extra pass, or put up a good shot. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='3312011' first='Zach' last='Bualat']: He does a solid job of running the team in half-court, moves the ball from side to side, sees cutters, feed the post. He's shot ready from 3 if the ball swings back. He has levelage and a first step to get into the paint for a jumper or assist. He's a good inbound passer, spots cutters. He's an alert defender, moves his feet, slips through screen, can play denial. He's averaging 11pts a game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='3038315' first='Zaire' last='White']: He's 6'6 with a solid body, has good movement going up and down the court. He'll start low, work his way up top sets screens for ball handlers, and shooters, he reverses the ball screens. He gets mid-and low post.He's a good passer from the post finding shooters on the opposite side. He made a few moves from elbow to the basket, footwork can use some polishing up. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->