We Got Next: Rising Stars New York 2027

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>By Josh Ebrahim</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>4-23-26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the high school season concludes, the summer circuit commences and the new wave of talent starts to emerge. I was able to attend one of the best collections of talent in NYC at the Rising Stars Showcase and was able to see why college coaches are flocking to the Empire State. Let's take a look at some of the underclassmen that stood out against elite NCAA talent. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Abigail Smith","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12121","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Stony Brook School","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"Melious Lightning","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69e2770a0e0cf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Smith was aggressive with her opportunities on and off the ball. Plays with relentless energy and is ultra-competitive. Smith is a physical, explosive guard. Quick release and range from the perimeter on her shot, and fluid mechanics. She can score in a multitude of ways. Elite finishing ability around the basket. Loves to run in transition and displays elite court vision, setting up teammates for easy buckets. Defensively, she's a tenacious defender who looks to create turnovers and run on the break. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1352567"],"_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-69e2770a0e300"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Celestin was a dominant force inside the paint. She showed nice touch around the rim and elite footwork around the basket. Played well off screens, rolling to the basket. Likes to attack from mid-range, drive to the basket, or pull up for a jumper. Defensively, Celestin runs the floor well in transition and cleans up on the glass. She times her jumps well, blocks shots, makes every shot difficult, and wins matchups defensively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["981852"],"_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-69e2770a0e471"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Burgess is a gamer. She does a lot of things on the court that win basketball games. Her ability to slash to the basket and finish with either hand is fun to watch. Has great footwork on the blocks and shows good touch around the basket. She plays an in-your-face style of defense that leads to a lot of fastbreak opportunities. She shoots the ball well from the perimeter and is fearless from anywhere on the court. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Jennifer Pinnock ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2030","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12123","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Christ the King ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69eae54fb4a0b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The younger sister of Josie Pinnock, Jennifer, plays with a similar style to her sister. Pinnock looks effortless on the court, is fluid with her shooting mechanics, and has natural point guard instincts that translate well on the floor. She can thread passes to teammates, slashing to the basket. She looks to facilitate for her teammates on dribble drive kickouts when she draws attention going to the basket. Pinnock likes to get to her spots and pull up with confidence, and has range from anywhere. Will be one to watch all summer as she looks to put everyone on notice. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1004100"],"_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-69eae54fb4a9c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the most dominant combo guards in the state, Pinnock can play off or on the ball and wreak havoc. She can be a floor general or identify matchups and take over a game. That is one thing I admire about her game. She can adapt to the situation for what her team needs. She shows good patience on the floor, waiting to find her spots for high % shots. She can play a physical style of basketball, which can overwhelm opponents. Shot mechanics and range are improving with more game reps on the circuit going into her senior season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->