Kaleena Smith
Kaleena Smith of Ontario Christian leads the way for the nation's top ranked high school. *Photo by Chris Hansen.
ProspectsNation.com has released its ELITE 25 for the 2027 class. Previously in Watch List status, the move to initial ranking sets the table for some quality matchups heading into the spring travel season.
Ivanna Wilson-Manyacka of Fredrick, Md.
*Photo by Chris Hansen.Kaleena Smith of Perris, California, is on a tear with Ontario Christian High School (Calif.) and her play to date has her in the pole position at No. 1 in the class. While some may worry about her size, her body of work competing against the best players in the country puts a lot of that concern to rest at the moment. She’s a dynamic scorer with deep range and one of the rare guards who can score 30-plus and still distribute the ball and make her teammates better.
The rest of the top five are also battle-tested standouts with Ivanna Wilson-Manyacka of Fredrick, Maryland, at No. 2. The 6-foot-2 swing forward was a member of the USA Basketball U17 national team last summer that won gold, her club is one of the best on their circuit and her high school plays a competitive schedule as well.
Checking in at No. 3 is Haylen Ayers of Dyersburg, Tennessee, is a dynamic guard who has deep range and has been competing at the 17U level for multiple summers now. At No. 4 and with a similar resume to Wilson-Manyacka is standout swing-forward Jordyn Palmer of Oxford, Pennsylvania. Finishing out the top 5 is one of the most impactful two-way perimeter players in the class, Jezelle Banks of Wilmington, Delaware.
DEEP DIVE
Ryan Carter of Philadelphia, Pa.
*Photo by Chris Hansen.Only three states can claim multiple players in the initial release of the ELITE 25. Pennsylvania leads the way with three. Palmer is joined by No. 8 Ryan Carter of Philadelphia, Pa., and No. 18 Jessie Moses of Penn Valley, Pa. Palmer and Moses are teammates in high school and club ball. Maryland not only has two but two in the top nine spots with Wilson-Manyacka is joined by No. 9 Qandance Samuels of Forestville, Md.
Tennessee has multiple top 25 kids for the first time since the class of 2020 when the state produced Kamila Cardoso and Treasure Hunt. Ayers combined with No. 11 Lauren Hassell of Clarksville, Tennessee, could lead the best class in the state since 2018 when the Volunteer State had four players in the top 20 (Massengill, Balogun, Howard, Dixon).
ON THE BUBBLE
This class is shaping up nicely. There were a number of players in the top 25 discussions that were worthy of consideration that did not make this first cut. From the Southeast to the Northwest we’ll keep a sharp eye on the 2027 class this Spring season across all circuits.
From the Southeast we’re excited about the progress of a pair of Georgia prospects, Kie’Aundria Acree of Albany, Georgia, and CeCe Dennis of Fairburn, Georgia. Add in 6-foot-7 post Jayla Forbes from Montverde Academy (Florida) by way of Alabaster, Alabama, and Lakewood Ranch, Florida-native Madi Mignery, and the region is poised for good depth in the class.
In the middle third of the country, you have players like Sydney Savoury of Ann Arbor, Michigan joining a pair of Texans in Jazman Bailey of Mansfield, Texas, and Finley Chastain of Prosper, Texas, who have enjoyed high level competition for years already.
Moving out west, California has a pair of teammates from Archbishop Mitty High School to keep up with – Tiera McCarthy and Zeni Patterson. Throw into the mix Sumner, Washington-native Kawehi Borden and the left coast is in great shape too.
NEXT STEPS
Following the spring evaluation periods the ELITE 25 will get a refresh, followed by an expansion in the Summer. Outside of the live periods, events such as USA Basketball Trials, which is holding U16 and U18 level tryouts in May, as well as brand-specific camps and events will provide elite matchups prior to July.
You can track how the class is trending as well as the ELITE 25 list will also include the ELITE 150 Watch List as it evolves.
Chris Hansen is managing editor of ProspectsNation.com and serves on the McDonald’s All-American and Naismith Trophy selection committees. He was a co-founder of and the national director of scouting for ESPN HoopGurlz from 2005 until 2012 and is the director of the Check Me Out Showcase and ELITE is EARNED events. He can be reached at chris@chrishansenbasketball.com.
