Updating rankings can be one of the most stressful events in the yearly high school calendar. Though it should be fairly common knowledge, there is no “correct” order or proper way of ranking these players. While subjectivity naturally plays a role, objectivity typically leads the way when determining who belongs where. Between statistics, accolades, team success, and long-term projection, various factors are involved for each individual. With the release of our rankings for North Carolina’s Class of 2027, there’s no better time to give a brief description of each player with their corresponding ranking. Although some travel ball stats are “available,” they will be excluded due to the lack of conclusive information. We will release intervals of five per article. Let’s take a closer look…
1. 6’5 Jordan Page (Broughton)
Strong, athletic lefty wing with the size, skillset, and physical profile to claim the top spot in North Carolina. Excels at attacking the basket and applying pressure as a finisher, but shows feel as a creator and knocks down jumpers at a nice rate. Physical defender and active rebounder. Continues to highlight steady growth as a prospect. Returns as the undisputed leader of Broughton. Should easily be among the most productive players in the state.
2. 6’9 Charles Pur (The Burlington School)
Incredibly skilled big man with impressive touch, footwork, and inside-out ability for his size. Comfortable operating from various areas on the floor and exploiting matchup problems whenever available. Utilizes his length to anchor the paint defensively and control the glass as a rebounder. Walking double-double with the ability to fill it up as a scorer. Natural leader. Will only become more dominant as he adds strength, but is already one of the most talented players in North Carolina.
3. 6’5 RJ Moore (Ambassador Christian)
Highly polished all-around scorer with a notable blend of size, athleticism, and creation instincts. Moore is able to get hot quickly and fill it up from all levels, but is more than capable of generating shots for others, standing out as a rebounder, and forcing turnovers defensively. He’s shown the ability to toggle between dictating the action and operating without the ball in his hands. Although he still has upside remaining, Moore is already one of the most refined players in this class.
4. 6’8 Trevor Manhertz (Christ School)
Knockdown shooter with an extremely long, wiry frame and blossoming skillset. After growing several inches and reclassifying, he arguably has as much upside as anyone in this class. Manhertz is a fluid athlete with nice explosiveness (especially for how well he shoots the ball) and the ability to spot up or attack closeouts. Shows the instincts to consistently rebound and make plays defensively. Although he’s still getting stronger, the foundation for a potentially special player is clearly in place.
5. 6’5 Geren Holmes (The Burlington School)
Strong, bouncy athlete with a terrific combination of size, strength, skill, and defensive tools. Reclassifying apparently awoke a new monster in Holmes, as the entirety of his game has seemingly taken a leap since making the shift. He’s a quality scorer from all levels and is able to create for himself and others off the bounce. Although he’s shown a lot of offensive appeal, Holmes is also a useful rebounder with clear upside as a defender. Trending as a likely high-major talent.
6. 6’6 K’majay Jenkins (Moravian Prep)
Although we have limited viewings of Jenkins, he enters the state as one of the most explosive, versatile athletes in the region. His size, motor, and athleticism allow him to naturally wreak havoc without requiring a ton of touches. Jenkins excels in the open floor and regularly makes his presence felt in transition. He’s a powerful finisher with the ability to attack off the bounce and knock down jumpers. Jenkins is arguably the top addition to North Carolina.
7. 6’5 Thomas Vickery (Myers Park)
The highest rankings jump in this class belongs to Vickery, and rightfully so, as he’s taken a massive leap over the last six months. He’s a lethal shooter and explosive athlete with the ability to fill it up in various ways as a scorer. Quality creator with the size and skill to regularly create matchup problems. Goes from playing a role to being the clear focal point of Myers Park. Should continue to see tremendous rise in his stock going forward.
8. 6’1 King Kendrick (Caldwell Academy)
After being a new addition to the rankings upon his arrival last season, folks should be quite familiar with Kendrick and what he brings to a team. He’s a smart, steady floor general who dictates the action with poise and balance. Displays great vision as a passer and has the unique ambidextrous wrinkle to his game, which can cause problems for opponents. Scores with efficiency, sets up others, and reliably defends the point of attack. Will return as a leader for the Eagles.
9. 6’6 James Minlend (Concord Academy)
Blossoming mismatch forward who seems to improve with each new viewing. Although he’s always possessed an enticing blend of size, skill, and athleticism, Minlend is clearly getting more assertive as a leader. Between being a focal point for a yearly contender in Concord Academy and being arguably the best player on Team Loaded Virginia, it’s clear that he’s among the best prospects in the state. Expect him to continue progressing as his recruitment picks up.
10. 6’3 Josiah Johnson-Freeman (Winston-Salem Christian)
Some players simply know how to produce in every possible context or setting, and that perfectly describes Johnson-Freeman. He’s simply a smart, steady, two-way piece whose skillset and defensive prowess allow him to make a consistent impact. Whether initiating, applying pressure as a scorer, or simply filling in the gaps, Johnson-Freeman can operate in basically any role. Although he has a very malleable identity, expect him to be a leader for the Lions going forward.
11. 6’9 Mason Robinson (Greensboro Day)
Big men will always be valued at every level of basketball, and Robinson is someone who should continue trending upward. He’s a steady interior piece with the size, length, and mobility to effectively anchor the paint on both ends of the floor. Robinson alters shots, secures rebounds at a nice rate, and finishes well around the basket. Knows how to find opportunities within his role, but can expand as needed. Still has clear upside.
12. 6’3 Karon Watlington (The Burlington School)
Despite losing a sizable chunk of the travel ball season, Watlington is still one of the more talented players in this class. He’s a bigger guard with great polish as a creator and scorer. Watlington runs a team with terrific IQ and balance, showing the ability to pick his spots while actively getting others involved. He plays with consistent energy and utilizes his length to be disruptive defensively. After transferring across town, Watlington should be a major addition for the Spartans.
13. 6’7 Jayon Connor (Forsyth Country Day)
Following his transfer and reclassification, Connor has folks buzzing throughout the state. In addition to growing several inches, he’s gotten considerably more skilled and explosive over the recent years. Connor wreaks havoc as a long, athletic, high-motor piece. He’s capable of applying constant pressure towards the rim, but also knocks down jumpers, creates off the bounce, and can make the extra pass. He’s a multi-positional defender and strong rebounder for his size/position. Connor possesses obvious appeal and real upside. Expect him to start collecting Division I offers sooner than later.
14. 6’5 Keyonee Terry (Southern Durham)
Given his array of enticing tools, his general progression, and recent transfer to Southern Durham, there should be a lot of excitement surrounding Terry. He’s a long, fluid athlete with explosiveness as a finisher and nice vision as a passer. Terry excels in the open floor but has shown useful ability in the open floor. Although his skillset continues to grow, he’s already a difference-maker defensively. Add in his useful rebounding and obvious upside as he continues to add strength, and there’s a lot to like.
15. 6’2 Travien Williams (Hickory Ridge)
Strong, skilled floor general whose production seems to translate across every type of setting. Excels at breaking down opponents, touching the paint, and scoring or creating for others. He scores whenever he wants inside the arc, but can also knock down open three-pointers. Williams reads the floor well as a creator and displays excellent pace off the bounce. He’s very crafty and utilizes his body extremely well to play through contact. Reliable defender. Expect his recruitment to pick up over the next few months.