More 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.    Morgan is a solid perimeter shooter and can swing games as a floor spacer. She has the attention of opposing coaches when she's on the floor, which says a lot about what she can do. The off-ball guard has also shown a willingness to dig in and rebound in a conference that traditionally has scrappy players all over the place. She has some tools she can build with after she graduates, and plays at the next level, if she chooses.     If I remember correctly, Bilke missed time with an injury in her sophomore year, but played even better in her junior year. She was still a player who could be a physical defender, and she still has the frame and athletic tools of someone who can defend multiple positions. However, we did see some flashes of a growing offensive game, which could be vital if she chooses to play at the next level.     Pinno had her first opportunity to play extended minutes this season after Laconia's 2025 class graduated, and Pinno had some solid moments through her junior season. She showed she could handle the ball and attack the rim off the dribble in the Flyway Conference and hold her own against some of the better small schools in high school basketball. There is room for her to grow, but there are things to like about what she does.     One of my favorite players in Southwest Wisconsin to see in person is [player_tooltip player_id='1275672' first='Avari' last='Steiner']. The intensity she plays with is contagious, even when I'm sitting wherever I sit when I've watched her play over the years. She is fearless and won't hesitate when she's on the floor. Steiner is more than comfortable taking high-pressure shots, and she loves to compete. She's a kid people may not think of a lot in that class because of where she's from and the fact that she plays D5 basketball, but I've always liked what she brings to the floor.

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.