2027 Player Rankings Update: Top Five

This most recent update had several changes with a lot of prospects moving around on the Ranking board. We are coming off of a high school season that just ended and now we have had the chance to see what prospects can do for another year at the Varsity level.   In this piece we highlight the new Top Five for the 2027 Class prior to this AAU season. Each player brings a unique talent to the floor and they each possess the ability to compete at the next level if they so choose.   Thanks for tuning in and enjoy!    [player_tooltip player_id='777232' first='Melina' last='Snoozy'] of Bishop Heelan is ready to have another impactful AAU season with her Sanford Sports Academy program. Snoozy finishes this season as the #1 rated prospect out of the 2027 Class in Iowa. This placement isn't anything new, as Snoozy has been the top dawg for this Class for awhile now. Snoozy's game is simple. She stands at 5'11, she has athletic ability, she can shoot from all three offensive levels, she is always self aware of what is going on around her, and she is very smooth in everything she is attempting to do on the floor. Some players just make it look easy and Snoozy is one of those. This is a future D1 prospect with a lot of suitors at the moment so it always fun to see where a competitor like this might end up. In the right program at the next level, she could definitely make a lasting impact.     Anyone can say that rankings or evaluations are subjective but what isn't subjective is production in big moments against other top-notch hoopers. That's what we got out of [player_tooltip player_id='644557' first='Ari' last='Phillips'] throughout the 5A State Tournament, eventually helping her program to back-to-back State Titles with back-to-back undefeated seasons. Most notably, in the 5A Final against Downing Catholic, the Maroons put their Center on Phillips and dared her to shoot the ball from distance. What the Dragons did in return was to have a Forward come up and screen for Phillips, so that she could attack the defense and get all the way to the rim. This strategy worked and Phillips looked lethal while getting to the basket on a consistent basis in the Ship. In this Update, this is someone who moves up to the #2 spot at this time. With her calculated dribble and her ability to keep it simple, she should continue to kill it this AAU season with her [program_tooltip program_id='714272' first='Iowa' last='Battlers'] team out of Des Moines.     [player_tooltip player_id='777233' first='Romey' last='Croatt'] put together a complete season, demonstrating that she is one of the best PG's that the state of Iowa has to offer at this time. Croatt moves into the #3 spot for this 2027 Class. She is a PG that would be considered pass-first but most importantly - she makes her shots when the ball is rotated back to her. No matter where she might be catching. Some players you define as a bulldog because they attack, attack, attack. They are hard-nosed and dedicated to have success. That's what we have here with Croatt. She is the definition of a competitor. I'm not sure if Croatt will play college Basketball or college Soccer, as I've heard she is a producer on the pitch but whichever it is, I'm sure she is going to have success in whatever she puts her mind too. The only one who should be able to stop her in the future, is herself.     The size, shooting ability, and promise is there for [player_tooltip player_id='777225' first='Katie' last='Muller'] of Dowling Catholic. Muller is a natural at letting it fly from deep off of the catch or off the dribble. With her lengthy arms and height, if she has even one step on a defender, she is going to get the shot off and it's most likely going to be a good attempt. I know the system that the [program_tooltip program_id='712377' first='All' last='Iowa Attack'] EYBL program plays with and it will make Muller look successful. She will be with other very talented others at all positions, so she can do her things and make it rain. Looking toward the future, I'm curious where Muller is going to take things. She needs to display that she can take her defender off the dribble a little bit more if she wants to compete at a high D1 level. If she locks into that, she could be a producer with a well known program over the next few years.     Joining along with [player_tooltip player_id='777232' first='Melina' last='Snoozy'], [player_tooltip player_id='777226' first='Maryn' last='Franken'] will join up with Sanford Sports Academy for another run during this Spring/Summer AAU season. Franken catches the eye of an evaluator because of her height at over 6'0, she possesses balance and coordination while attacking the opposition on offense, while being someone who can be a versatile weapon on defense with the ability to switch between multiple positions on the court. For Sioux Center this season, Franken was their life-force. She did a good job at putting the team on her back and holding it down into the State Tournament. At times she would catch down low and punish others who may be smaller. She would catch out of the mid-post and attack off the bounce. She would even catch from 15 FT and knock down a pull up if the defense was lacking. All in all, Franken put together a year to remember for her Sophomore campaign and I'm sure she is going to build on that over-time.

This most recent update had several changes with a lot of prospects moving around on the Ranking board. We are coming off of a high school season that just ended and now we have had the chance to see what prospects can do for another year at the Varsity level.