December Rankings: Get to know the class of 2027's top 5 players

The 2027 rankings are here! For the first time ever, see the rankings of the top sophomores in Arkansas, as well as some that made the Watch List. For this article specifically, I will be introducing you to the players who cracked the top 5 of the 2027 ranking, and giving you plenty of reasons as to why they deserve their current positions.    At #1, we have Fayetteville's [player_tooltip player_id='593261' first='Syniah' last='Coachman']! Outside of her performances for the Lady Bulldogs so far, Coachman's ranking mostly has to do with her accomplishments from her time during the AAU season. With the MO Phenom, Coachman was able to pick up multiple major Division I offers, including hometown University of Arkansas, Hawaii, Wichita State, and Alabama.   Coachman has been able to play right away and contribute on both sides of the floor. She is a long guard who uses her lengthy stride to stretch her way to the rim. She finishes well in the paint, but her best offensive attribute is her outside shooting.   Coachman is a lethal 3-point shooter off the catch, and with her 5'10" frame and long arms, her shot is very difficult to contest. She can also shoot off the bounce, or use that dribble to maneuver around traffic, able to get to any spot she wants. Of course, to warrant the #1 spot in your class, you need to be able to contribute in other ways besides the offensive end.   Coachman uses her length to her advantage on defense, usually guarding some of opposition's best offensive players. In a November contest against Greenwood High School, Coachman went on a defensive frenzy, recording 4 steals, 2 blocks, and 8 rebounds. She is aggressive on this end, making sure the opposition has to work for it if they even want to get a shot off. Coachman uses her elite athleticism well on this end, blocking shots like a center and getting a rise out of the crowd in the process.   [player_tooltip player_id='593261' first='Syniah' last='Coachman'] is an elite player in the class of 2027, and she has yet to scratch the surface of her basketball potential. This is a player we will be hearing about for a long time and she is deserving of the #1 spot. However, there are plenty of other players who are also deserving, and there might be some fluctuation around the top positions in the future.     Miciah "Mimi" Fusilier has been one of the most well-known players in the Arkansas basketball recruiting scene since she was in middle school. As a 6th grader, she received her first Division I offer from Ole Miss, and she continued to receive offers from SEC schools such as Arkansas and Mississippi State. Most recently, she has received an offer from North Texas. Fusilier has also competed in some of the top camps in the nation, while playing in some of the top AAU circuits. She also participated in the Jr. NBA Showcase in 2023, making plays on both ends of the floor against some of the best young basketball talent in the nation.   So far in her high school career, Fusilier's play seems to have translated from her time in the AAU circuits. As a freshman and now as a sophomore, she has recorded some impressive statlines, with multiple double-doubles to her name. Fusilier has played well on both sides of the ball, establishing a strong two-way presence for Camden Fairview.   On defense, Fusilier holds down the paint, and as one of the tallest players in the state, she uses her length exactly how she is supposed to. She blocks shots at a high rate, often blocking shots that seem nearly impossible to even put a finger on. A lot of rebounds are out of reach for most players, but they might not be for Fusilier, who can stretch and grab every board in sight.   On offense, Fusilier uses her length and athleticism to her advantage again. Not many players can effectively contest her at the rim, as she can contort her body to get a clean look. She has also shown that she can knock down some jumpshots, and I imagine that will be a major part of her game in the years to come. If that jumper comes along consistently, maybe say a little prayer for every 4A-7 opponent that will face her.   [player_tooltip player_id='1093289' first='Miciah' last='Fusilier'] is an elite prospect that is already known around the nation, and there is nothing less than a bright future for her. I bet by the time she is a senior, she might be the most offered player in the entire state.     I have talked about [player_tooltip player_id='1090299' first='Makenlie' last='Campbell'] over the course of the last few months on multiple occasions, and it was a no-brainer sticking her in the top 3. Campbell is one of the best two-way players in Arkansas, and even as a freshman she had established that reputation. Now as a sophomore, it is clear that she is just getting started.   Offensively, Campbell does a bit of everything: she can shoot from outside, she can score inside, she can make plays for others, and she either take over a game or step back and let her teammates do the bulk of the work. Last week, Har-Ber participated in the NWA Classic, and Campbell was her team's leading scorer in their three wins. She had two 20-point performances in that tournament to add to the plethora of great games she has already had this year.   On defense, Campbell is tasked with shutting down some of the best offensive players on the other team. In Har-Ber's season opener, I got to witness Campbell's defensive prowess in person. She was tasked with guarding Vilonia High School's best player, who is also in the top 5 in the 2025 class. That Lady Eagle had very little scoring impact in the first half, and it allowed Har-Ber to jump out to a huge lead. Campbell's defense was one of the deciding factors of that game, and it has been a huge factor in all of their games this season.   [player_tooltip player_id='1090299' first='Makenlie' last='Campbell'] is a winner, and she brings that pedigree to her team. She is already on Division I radars, so do not be shocked if she starts racking up major college offers during or after this season.     It is hard to believe that Earle is a 1A school with all of the talent they have at their disposal. [player_tooltip player_id='1091190' first='Journey' last='Jefferson'] is an elite prospect who just recently picked up an offer from Arkansas State. She has torched every defense she has faced, on both the high school and AAU scenes.   Jefferson is off to a great start this season, like that is any surprise. Jefferson is a born scorer who will sneak her way into the lane and finish against heavy defensive pressure. She knows how to create her own shot, and she uses her deadly handle to get to any spot on the floor in order to pull up and drain a jumper. Jefferson is a knock-down shooter from mid-range and three, but she is unselfish and can dish to her teammate to turn a good shot into a better shot.   Jefferson always plays with her eyes up and runs the offense perfectly. She waits for the play call from her coach, then will set up a play for herself or for her teammates. On the flip side, Jefferson will do whatever she can to disrupt the opponent's offense. She plays hounding defense and strips the ball to take it down the other way. A lot of Jefferson's points come from her work on the defensive end.   [player_tooltip player_id='1091190' first='Journey' last='Jefferson'] may be at #4, but she has potential to be the best player in the class of 2027. Frankly, any of the positions in the top 5 are up for grabs. Regardless of who occupies those positions, Jefferson will more than likely stay in the top 5, continuing to assert herself as not only one of the best players in the class, but one of the best players in the state.     [player_tooltip player_id='848699' first='Bailey' last='Barton'] is about as natural of a point guard as I have seen. She controls the pace of the game nicely, and that is very hard to find in a sophomore. Along with her scoring ability, I was obviously going to put her in the top 5.   Barton has a nice shooting form, and she knocks down threes and mid-range jumpers consistently. She has a quick release, but if the defense closes out effectively, then she can slice by and either get to her spots or drive to the basket. Barton can pull up for a floater in the lane or absorb contact and finish in the paint. If a teammate is open, then she can hit them with a pass that is on the money.   I mentioned that Barton can control the pace, and she can either slow the game down or speed it up depending on the situation. She knows how to take what the defense gives her and she does not try to force anything. She also takes what the opposing offense gives her, and if you dribble too high or too loosely, she will snatch it away.   [player_tooltip player_id='848699' first='Bailey' last='Barton'] has already had a lot of success in her sophomore season. She is a name that everyone should be keeping up with for the rest of the 2024/25 season.    Those are the top 5 players in the 2027 ranking. As I have mentioned with the 2025 and 2026 rankings, these players are not locked into their positions. Players will rise and fall, and being a top 5-10 player does not mean you will stay that way by the time the next ranking update is released. Ranked players can also fall to the Watch List, and players on the Watch List can become ranked. And of course, new players will continue to be added with each installment.   It is great to see the 2027 ranking for the first time ever in Arkansas, and I will continue to break it down in the coming days.

The 2027 rankings are here! For the first time ever, see the rankings of the top sophomores in Arkansas, as well as some that made the Watch List. For this article specifically, I will be introducing you to the players who cracked the top 5 of the 2027 ranking, and giving you plenty of reasons as to why they deserve their current positions.