2027 Small-School Prospects to Know

One of my favorite things about what I do is seeing players who don't end up at the scholarship level playing deep into the postseason. In our state, we are lucky enough to have one of the richest traditions in Division 3 athletics, and the state of Wisconsin sent eight programs to the NCAA tournament, and others played for D3 programs outside the state. A handful of D1 dropdowns have gone to play at schools in the WIAC every year, and this year, former top-100 prospect Emily La Chappell will play her final year of college basketball at UW-Oshkosh. I'm sure there is sentiment among some who look down on D3 basketball, but the truth is, most players aren't as good as the best players in the WIAC, which is no slight to them; it's just how good the league is. All that said, let's look at some players in the 2027 class who could end up playing high-level basketball in the WIAC and could help a program in the state compete at the next level.    The depth of talent at the guard level is unbelievable around the country, which in turn makes the talent at every level in the backcourt as deep as ever. Jenny is a player who could, and has drawn some D2 interest, but Jenny has the tools to elevate a program in the state to another level. She has all the leadership to help a program at the next level. The level of seriousness Jenny will help her elevate the players around her to the next level, and that's not even saying how productive she has been at the high school level for Edgerton. She has visited UW-Whitewater, and I'm sure she'll draw interest from other programs in the state.     The Kimberly wing has carved out a role for one of the most talented programs in the state over the last few years, which isn't easy. Brochtrup has shown she can defend multiple positions and be a floor spacer next to players who will play at the scholarship level at Kimberly and with her AAU team, which makes me think there may be more to her game than what's met the eye over the past few years. She's a player who buys into winning basketball, which will be valuable at the next level.     Everywhere Meinen has played, she has been a player who has contributed to winning. She was a crucial player who helped her Muskego team play in a State Title game in 2025, and has played a role in her AAU program reaching the finals of the EYCL in her age group over the past two years, which isn't a coincidence. She can shoot the snot out of the ball and space the floor well beyond the arc, but she's also a better defender than you'd think.     The Shell Lake forward is an athletic wing who can defend at the top of the key and frustrate opposing lead guards. I'm sure Lehman is a multi-sport athlete who may choose a different path if she wants to play a sport at the next level. However, players like her, who come from non-traditional corners of the state, are more than capable of being a difference-maker at the college level.

One of my favorite things about what I do is seeing players who don't end up at the scholarship level playing deep into the postseason. In our state, we are lucky enough to have one of the richest traditions in Division 3 athletics, and the state of Wisconsin sent eight programs to the NCAA tournament, and others played for D3 programs outside the state. A handful of D1 dropdowns have gone to play at schools in the WIAC every year, and this year, former top-100 prospect Emily La Chappell will play her final year of college basketball at UW-Oshkosh. I'm sure there is sentiment among some who look down on D3 basketball, but the truth is, most players aren't as good as the best players in the WIAC, which is no slight to them; it's just how good the league is. All that said, let's look at some players in the 2027 class who could end up playing high-level basketball in the WIAC and could help a program in the state compete at the next level.