There is still a full summer and an entire high school basketball season to go, but the junior class still has quite a bit to prove.
Right now the lack of Division I prospect depth is real in the Class of 2027. And while Warren’s Jaxson Davis remains, the previous departures of former high-profile stars Devin Cleveland (Kenwood) and Davion Thompson (Bolingbrook) to prep school left the class shortchanged of bonafide stars at the top.
Nonetheless, there are always individual players who rise to the occasion while jump-starting their recruitments in the spring. The lone “live” period this spring for college coaches to evaluate is right around the corner.
Here are five still-improving players set to see their stock climb this spring and summer in the Class of 2027.
Markese Peoples, St. Laurence
Peoples certainly opened some eyes in the Catholic League this past winter, putting up 17 points, seven rebounds and three assists a game.
But the bully ball 6-2 guard has made a significant jump since then and has climbed the City/Suburban Hoops Report rankings while playing for Young and Reckless on the club circuit.
Coaches will be enamored with his downhill onslaughts, both in the halfcourt and in the open floor. He’s quickly solidifying himself as a potential mid-major recruiting target.
Zion Braimah, Pecatonica
Pecatonica, a small town of 2,000 people that sits 15 minutes west of Rockford, has a true sleeper. And it’s hard not to get excited about the 6-7 Braimah, who plays for a Chicago area team, Breakaway, on the Adidas circuit.
Braimah displays spectacular athleticism. There has been improvement and added confidence in his overall game, but the physique and elite explosiveness will open eyes when college coaches catch a glimpse.
Alex Sirbu, Buffalo Grove
There was significant production this past season and it’s impossible to dismiss. Sirbu averaged 19.6 points and 13.1 rebounds a game and set the single-season and single-game school rebounding records. The problem was not enough people took notice as the Bison finished 13-19 while playing in the MSL’s second division.
But Buffalo Grove will be much improved next season, thanks to the presence of the 6-8 Sirbu. He’s come a long way and has turned himself into a Division I prospect. He plays hard, uses good footwork and is polished in the post while displaying a soft touch as a finisher.
Lamari Carpenter, Glenbard North
The upside is that of a two-way guard with a broad range of impact. With his 6-4 size and length, Carpenter could very well turn himself into a Swiss Army-style guard.
He has a lean, lanky physique with nice athleticism for the position. He will become that much more of a weapon as his perimeter jumper becomes more consistent. In small doses, Carpenter can still make a defense pay by scoring the basketball at all three levels.
Ed Stasys, Benet
Yes, he’s become a known commodity due to who and where he’s played the past two seasons. Stasys has filled a valuable role for a team that has played in the state championship in each of the past two seasons.
Physicality, toughness and tenacity make him impactful defensively and very difficult to contain in one-on-one rebounding situations.
As he’s climbed the player rankings in the Class of 2028, he’s set to grab more attention from college coaches, especially if he makes positive strides on the offensive end.