2027 AAU Breakout Player of the Year: Skyler Mancini

Photo courtesy of MN Fury.   It was a tale of two seasons for [player_tooltip player_id='766676' first='Skyler' last='Mancini'] this summer. In the core of the campaign, she was the most-improved player in the Class of 2027, a trend that was reflected during our summer rankings update. Then she got hurt, but rather than park herself on the sidelines to recover, Mancini did what most great competitors do – she tried to play through the pain. “A few minutes into the first game at Summer Jam, Skyler felt a pop in her thigh and had to come out of the game,” said [program_tooltip program_id='712687' first='Minnesota' last='Fury'] 2027 UAA coach Sam Ebenreiter. “She had a visible lump in her thigh that was a huge, hard knot.”   It was difficult to watch Skyler struggle through the injury. She couldn't run full speed and wasn't able to push off the injured leg. That limited her lateral movement. “She just wasn't able to be the player she was all spring and summer up to that point,” Ebenreiter said. “It really hurt her to not be able to help the team, and it certainly had an impact on how the team finished. Her size and length was something we'd relied heavily on at both ends of the floor, so not having that at full speed – or not at all – made a big difference.”   Eventually it was too much, and the 6'3 forward is currently resting and rehabbing for a return to action at Chanhassen this winter. Despite the setbacks, Skyler's imprint on the 2025 AAU season cannot be denied. That's why we have selected her as our Prep Girls Hoops 2027 Breakout Player of the Year. The 19th-ranked prospect in the Class of 2027 made a statement this summer that led to numerous Division 1 scholarship opportunities.   The good news for college coaches is that they've now seen what Mancini can do at full strength. This was the lengthy forward's third season with Fury UAA squad, and the coach has had a front-row seat for the evolution. “Skyler has always had all the ability in the world, but in the past she would be OK at times being in the background and letting other kids take the lead when she had opportunities to attack advantages and take open shots,” he said.   That's changed. “Assertiveness,” Ebenreiter said, when asked where she's improved the most. “Skyler has always had the ability to be a difference-maker, but this year she really started believing in herself and realizing how big a difference she can make when she is consistently aggressive. Now she looks to create advantages for herself and teammates rather than waiting for them to be created for her.”   Her growth has also come on the defensive end. “She has always been a good shot blocker on this team, but her ability at 6'3 to move laterally and stay in front of even quick little guards, while also holding her own down low against traditional posts, is incredibly impressive,” said Ebenreiter.   It's a transformation rooted in confidence and a calm, quiet demeanor. Although she never calls attention to herself, Mancini has certainly caught the eye of D1 programs throughout the Midwest. This summer she picked up offers from St. Thomas, South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana State and South Dakota State.  “Skyler is never too high and never too low,” Ebenreiter said. “She just does her thing.”   RUNNER-UP   [player_tooltip player_id='999549' first='Anna' last='Smolich'] – Unranked to start the summer, Smolich has been one of Minnesota's fastest risers in the 2027 class this year. The 6'0 forward now sits inside the top 75 after a breakout AAU season with the [program_tooltip program_id='718403' first='Minnesota' last='Freeze']. A three-sport athlete and leading scorer at Spring Lake Park, Smolich combines length, mobility, and competitiveness to bring real impact on both ends. She runs the floor like a track athlete, finishes with confidence, and has sharpened her post game. Her motor is relentless, and she's learning how dominant she can be. With improved strength and growing poise, Smolich is one of the state's most intriguing young forwards.   HONORABLE MENTIONS   [player_tooltip player_id='944075' first='Maiya' last='Slusarczyk'] – Now ranked 77th in the class, Slusarczyk has developed into a physically strong, high-effort forward with a growing skillset. She was a consistent double-digit scorer for the [program_tooltip program_id='718403' first='Minnesota' last='Freeze'] this summer, using her size to impact games on both ends. Defensively, she blocks shots, alters passes, and rebounds aggressively. Offensively, she runs the floor well, drives hard through contact, and has the ability to score inside or out. Slusarczyk had a breakout summer; now she's ready for the same at St. Michael-Albertville, one of the state's premier programs.   [player_tooltip player_id='764197' first='Hailey' last='Sicard'] – A strong summer has propelled Sicard from 75th to 66th in our 2027 prospect rankings and another jump may be coming. The 5'8 guard from East Ridge had a terrific AAU campaign with [program_tooltip program_id='712687' first='Minnesota' last='Fury'] S40 but really showed off her full arsenal at Live at the Lakes where she dropped 61 points in four games, including a 33-point explosion against Team Wisconsin. That kind of outburst is rare in AAU play, and it confirmed what we've seen all summer: Sicard is a gamer. Her quick feet, powerful frame, and motor make her a tough two-way guard. She competes hard for every loose ball and elevates her team.

Photo courtesy of MN Fury.