2027 Prospect Standouts: Part 1

This will be my first edition to Prospect standouts for the 2027 class. This will be about shining some spotlight on players that show unique skills and the ability to be a connector and glue player that keeps a team together. If you're not in this edition then there is a chance you will be on the next one!    In all my scouting of Glenbard West, Ellie has been a fun watch. This is a player that blends strength and skill together and it's helped the Hilltoppers succeed this season. I've seen her used in high and low post split actions as the hub and decision maker and for the most part, cashing in on her decisions. She can be a screener and add indecision to the defense because she can roll to the rim, pop, and play out of the short roll, being an advantage maintainer as I like to call it. Ellie can also play with her back to the basket using her strength and touch to score the ball. The 6'0 forward not only has the strength, as I said above, but she also brings a nice wingspan to that end as well. There have been a good amount of examples of using that wingspan while staying vertical at the rim when covering for teammates.       Spychalski has been awesome to watch in my viewings of Yorkville High. There are particular players that when you watch they give off the aura of whatever it takes to win. She guards up and down the lineup and doesn't bat an eye. On offense she can be used in a few different roles, I've seen her used in the middle of a zone as a zone buster making the right reads and making the zone pay with how quick she makes her decisions. She can shoot the three and attack the rim and finish through contact, or she can finish with some finesse using reverse layups using the rim to protect her from shot blockers. She's a player that is willing to do whatever it takes and plays with a ton of fire.     Schuster has grown every year in her skillset. Her height and wingspan are two things that get you interested in her games, but her abilities on the floor get you to sit and watch. Her shot-blocking is formidable. Her ball-tracking wherewithal stands out in that facet. Schuster also rebounds her position pretty well too. At the next level I can see her being used in drop coverage in pick and roll situations as a defender. Schuster takes pride in protecting the rim. When she's on offense the skill that pops when put in scenarios to use it is her passing. She can operate dribble handoffs in ‘Zoom” actions, “Delay” actions, and Princeton style offenses in my opinion. Patience is the word that comes to mind when she has the ball in her hands on the perimeter, looking for her next read. If you're a college program looking for a big that can block shots and pass, I can see Schuster filling that role.      I've been keeping track of Ishikawa for a while and I am impressed with her growth. She plays strong in every facet of the game. When she has the ball and attacking downhill, you better be ready to play because she will use her shoulder to carve space and finish with strength. The driving ability has always been there for her with her counters and ability to use strength to keep her leverage on drives, but now the jumper is starting to fall with more consistency and its only making the defense's headache worse. Ishikawa should be gaining some traction this upcoming spring and summer from colleges with how much she's improved.      Mantei was fun to watch in the couple games that I watched of her. She has an array of moves she can use on the offensive end to get to her spot for her smooth jumper, either from three or mid-range. The mechanics are rock solid and it appears that when she shoots, it looks effortless, no matter the range. She can play well off the catch, reading closeouts and making the right play to make the defense pay. Mantei has a strong frame as wel,l so she can battle with different positions. I am very excited to see how this smooth scorer develops in different areas over the summer.       Kline's high school hasn't had the best year this season, but when watching their games, you can't miss the 5'11 wing. She's skilled enough to grab the ball off the glass and push in transition. In the halfcourt, she really flourishes playing off the catch. She can make you pay from beyond the arc, and she can attack downhill and finish at the rim. Kline is also not afraid to play with her back to the basket as she likes to go over her left shoulder. On the other end of the floor her length allows her to block and deter shots at the rim defensively and on the perimeter when she is engaged can really frustrate ball handlers. I'm excited to track her progress this summer.

This will be my first edition to Prospect standouts for the 2027 class. This will be about shining some spotlight on players that show unique skills and the ability to be a connector and glue player that keeps a team together. If you're not in this edition then there is a chance you will be on the next one!