Summer Rankings Update: 2027 Combo-Guards to Know

The evaluation and rankings process was expedited this spring and summer due to the volume of Prep Girls Hoops tournaments in Michigan and mass participation by clubs and teams on our Prep Girls Hoops Circuit. The Prep Girls Hoops College Tour series and Prep Girls Hoops Michigan State Tournament gave us five chances to see prospects compete locally right here in Michigan. Nearly every club with college prospects in Michigan competed in front of our scouts at one Prep Girls Hoops tournament, and many clubs attended more than one. This reality created the perfect environment for us to evaluate prospects from across the state against various levels of competition.   After actively evaluating prospects during the first travel session, we now have 326 players ranked. Height, size, speed, athleticism, fundamental skill development, the position a player is projected to play at the next level, and performance in different competitive settings are all taken into account. Our goal with every class is to accurately group prospects into the correct categories of college potential/projection. By the end of senior year, each class breaks down into clear categories: Power Four/D1+, D1/D2+, D2/NAIA+/D3+/JUCO+, NAIA/D3/JUCO, and NAIA/D3 reserve. As I've written many times, the levels of college basketball intersect, cross, and differ in competitive ability throughout all the divisions. All high school classes do not have the same size, talent, or level of college talent. However, based on my tracking of commitments over the past three years, there appears to be a predictable trend in Michigan.   Based on data from the 2024, 2025, and 2026 classes, there could be approximately 410 or more prospects per grade who can play some level of college basketball. There will always be multisport athletes who don't do travel basketball or play in some remote area where we just don't get the opportunity to identify them for our rankings, despite our best efforts. Using averages from the past three classes, there may be anywhere from 10-20 D1 commits, 20-30 D2 commits, and 125-140 NAIA/D3/JUCO commits in a particular class.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">UPCOMING PGH EVENTS (Use "EvanBell10" code for discount)</h2>   The Freshman Showcase (2030s), August 22nd   <a href="https://events.prepgirlshoops.com/e/2390/register/michigan-freshman-showcase">Registration Link</a>   The Expo (2027-2029s), September 26th   <a href="https://events.prepgirlshoops.com/e/2420/register/the-expo-michigan">Registration Link</a>    It seemed like Layla was a Top Performer every time we watched her play at a PGH Circuit tournament with Michigan Goonies. She was a consistent difference maker for the team and separated herself as a guard with a ton of next-level upside. Layla has size, athleticism, quickness, explosive downhill driving abilities, and a comprehensive skill set that translates to the college game. She can sink perimeter jumpers, create space to drive with her dribble, get to the rim, and finish through contact. Her rebounding effort and disruptive defense also stood out throughout the AAU season. Layla is tough as nails. Injuries don't keep her from competing and making an impact on the court.     Alexis appeared ready for a breakout AAU campaign after a dominant junior high school season for Imlay City. She played well for Mystics S40 and was rewarded with offers from Alma and Albion. Alexis turned in Top Performer efforts at multiple PGH Circuit tournaments and was an unstoppable scorer at Northwood Team Camp. Her swagger, confident shooting and deep range, elusive handles, ability to slash and finish acrobatic layups in traffic, sneaky athleticism, vertical hops, and quick hands on the defensive end make her a tough matchup in the backcourt.     Maddie had a huge breakout performance for Breckenridge at the Au Sable Shootout. She's had an outstanding career at Breckenridge. Maddie is already a member of the 1,000 career points club and received recognition as D4 AP All-State Second Team her sophomore year. Maddie put that scoring power on display at Au Sable, sinking threes and driving by defenders with a burst to score off the dribble. She was a game changer on the defensive end and showed the kind of athleticism, length, and versatility as a two-way difference maker you like in a next-level guard prospect. Maddie will be one of the better under-the-radar targets in this class for colleges seeking an impact player.     Oakley had a productive AAU season for [program_tooltip program_id='714446' first='Capitol' last='City Express']. Her next-level value became apparent at PGH Circuit tournaments and especially during a memorable performance for St. Johns at the Big North Shootout. She can create space with her dribble, penetrate, and score with strength around the basket. Oakley finishes well off two feet, facilitates effectively, owns the glass, and works hard on the defensive end. She's a threat to score from beyond the arc, pushes the ball with pace in transition, doesn't shy away from contact, competes, and gets to the free throw line. Oakley has qualities and skills that will help a college program.     Kya had one of those breakout performances you remember. At the Michigan State Showcase, I remember thinking to myself, "Wow, I'm happy she came to this because she definitely needs to be ranked." Kya received All-Showcase Second Team honors, finishing well at the rim with both hands, scoring through contact with strength, and impacting games with her defensive prowess. Kya beat defenders off the dribble with a burst to score layups and demonstrated confidence as a perimeter threat. She has athleticism, length, strength, and skills necessary to play inside/outside as a guard or wing. Kya's court vision, facilitating, and purposeful movement made a great impression on one of our scouts, earning her recognition as a Top Performer for Southwest Elite at The Encore. Kya is a stock riser who will be an excellent addition to a college program.

The evaluation and rankings process was expedited this spring and summer due to the volume of Prep Girls Hoops tournaments in Michigan and mass participation by clubs and teams on our Prep Girls Hoops Circuit. The Prep Girls Hoops College Tour series and Prep Girls Hoops Michigan State Tournament gave us five chances to see prospects compete locally right here in Michigan. Nearly every club with college prospects in Michigan competed in front of our scouts at one Prep Girls Hoops tournament, and many clubs attended more than one. This reality created the perfect environment for us to evaluate prospects from across the state against various levels of competition.