Top 2027 Guards to Watch on the Recruiting Trail

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One group of talents has played their final basketball at both the high school and travel levels. A large number of them have announced their collegiate intentions. As we prepare to bid adieu to one class of names, the bulk of attention will soon shift to another.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the 2026 grassroots season underway, the class of 2027 is now taking its final stroll through what is a grueling club schedule. It will not be long before we begin hearing commitment announcements from many in the 2027 class.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It will also not be long before we begin to refer to the class of 2027 as “rising seniors.” Here are 10 top guards from the 2027 class to be on the lookout for on the college recruiting trail.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["324555"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1544776,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69cbd9d8f38cb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mungo has been no stranger to receiving Division I offers over the years. Even when she was playing at the high school varsity level as a middle schooler, Mungo was receiving Division I looks. Her high school resume with Camden has included a pair of state championships. Mungo competed in 26 games this past season for a Bulldogs team that advanced to the 4A Upper State semifinals. She averaged 10.9 points, 4.7 assists, 3.8 steals and 2.4 rebounds per game. When the 2026-27 high school season tips off, Mungo and her Camden will return to the 3A classification – where those two state championships were won.  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["324560"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1450475,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69cbd9d8f396f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Throughout Birch's high school career, she has played multiple sports – including volleyball. On the basketball side of things with SCISA 4A Northwood Academy, she was a team co-captain and led the Chargers to an appearance in this past season's championship game. Birch has been playing at the varsity level since she was an eighth grader. Playing in all 30 games for a Chargers team that finished its 2025-26 campaign with a 28-2 record, she averaged 19.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, five assists and 4.7 steals per contest. Birch was one of only two juniors on last season's Northwood Academy team. Roughly a week ago, Birch landed an in-state offer from Lander. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["560668"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1450539,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69cbd9d8f39d4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Godfrey was one of several high-profile transfers this past season into 5A Division 1 River Bluff. With the high school season in the rear-view mirror, she is now wearing a [program_tooltip program_id='783909' first='Palmetto' last='76ers/A'ja Wilson Elite'] uniform and played in her first event of the travel season which was in North Augusta. This past season with the Gators, she helped River Bluff to a season where it hosted a tournament game for the first time since 2020. She averaged 10.9 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.6 steals per contest. The next event for Godfrey will be the Phenom Lady Rumble the weekend of April 11-12 in Rock Hill. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["324559"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69cbd9d8f3a1d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Speaking of transfers, McMillan was another of the notable ones of the 2025 offseason as she brought her talents to the SCISA 4A ranks with Hammond. Her arrival brought a surge of energy and confidence to the Skyhawks as they improved from only one win in 2024-25 to 17 this past season. McMillan's stellar 2025-26 campaign included her claiming Region 1-AAAA Player of the Year honors. The 2026 grassroots season will see McMillan on the Nike circuit with AEBL Girlz. McMillan averaged 19 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals per contest this past season. Among the highlights of her 2025-26 were reaching career marks of 1500 points and 500 rebounds. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["417824"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1667437,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69cbd9d8f3a98"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Earl was another of the noteworthy transfers from the previous offseason. The 2025-26 season was the first for Earl in a 4A Westside uniform and was a key name in the Rams' run to another Upper State championship. Earl is also an AEBL Girlz product. Her junior season in a Westside uniform would see her play in all 29 games this past season while averaging 11.2 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.1 steals per game. Earl also gave a big boost to the Rams' efforts in the 4A championship game against North Augusta when she added 11 points to the Westside cause. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["610424"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1563611,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69cbd9d8f3aeb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">During last year's travel season, Hailstock secured offers from Lander, Wingate and in-state Division I Presbyterian. One should expect even more offers from college coaches as Hailstock prepares for her final go-round through the grassroots realm. Hailstock has participated in a pair of 5A Division 1 Upper State championship games during her career with J.L. Mann and she reached the 1,000-point plateau for her career this past season. Playing in 21 games this past season with the Patriots, Hailstock averaged 17.8 points per contest. She was one of the four juniors that were part of this past season's Patriots assembling. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["567022"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69cbd9d8f3b2c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">For much of the 2025-26 season, Vereen's North Myrtle Beach assembling was the team to beat in the 5A Division 2 ranks. Vereen's 2025-26 concluded with her earning Region Player of the Year honors. She led the Chiefs to a berth in the Lower State semifinals. Vereen played in 22 games this past season for North Myrtle Beach and led the team in scoring with 16.1 points per game. She also averaged 6.5 steals, five rebounds and 3.7 assists per contest. For her final season on the club circuit, Vereen will run with FBC United on the Under Armour circuit. North Myrtle Beach is set to move back down to 4A beginning with the 2026-27 season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["403039"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69cbd9d8f3b78"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">In terms of school sports, Moore has basketball in the rear-view mirror and is now focusing on the soccer pitch at SCISA 4A First Baptist. The 2025-26 hoops season ended as planned for Moore and her Hurricanes as they prevailed over Northwood Academy by a final score of 64-60 at the Sumter County Civic Center. Playing in 35 of First Baptist's 36 games, Moore would average 10.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 2.7 steals per contest. Moore can look ahead to this year's grassroots schedule where she will run with [program_tooltip program_id='783909' first='Palmetto' last='76ers/A'ja Wilson Elite'] on the Nike circuit. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["404246"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1500415,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69cbd9d8f3bc6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Back in the middle of January, Livingston secured an offer from Columbia College. Her 2025-26 season also saw her approach the 1,000-point plateau for her career in a game against 4A Dreher in December. She was also offered by UNC-Pembroke. Livingston would play in 17 games last season while nearly averaging a double-double – 16.8 points and 9.1 rebounds. She also delivered averages of 6.6 assists and 3.7 steals per contest. Livingston's Yellow Jackets are set to move back down to the 4A classification beginning in 2026-27. A full season of Livingston next year will translate to an extremely dangerous Irmo assembling. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["376018"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1544758,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69cbd9d8f3c13"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A few days after Camden's season concluded in the 4A Upper State semifinals, Jefferson announced that she secured an in-state offer from Lander. A few weeks ago, it was announced that Jefferson will spend her final time in the travel realm running on the Nike EYBL circuit with AEBL Girlz. Jefferson is another that was part of both of those recent Bulldogs versions that claimed state championships. She played in 18 of Camden's games this past season and averaged 12.2 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists per contest. The Bulldogs will be back in 3A beginning with the 2026-27 season. Among her highlights of her 2025-26 included reaching a single-game career-high points when she dropped 26 in a victory over region rival York in early February. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->