June’s 2027 Prospect Roulette

<p>It was a big few weeks for the Class of 2027 as many got to compete in the AAU National Championships last week. It makes for a good time to wrap up Prospect Roulette for the month with this class.</p>   <p>Here's how it works: I'll pop up a random number generator that includes the 20 players in the 2027 rankings. I'll generate four numbers and the four that come up will be the ranking of the player. I'll then spotlight those players in the article to help give them some more attention. I will then take six random numbers from the over 100 Watch List prospects. Their number is where they are alphabetically in the Watch List.</p>   <p>Let's see who has the lucky numbers for this month's edition:</p>   <p><em>The </em><a href="https://events.prepdig.com/e/1124/register/michigan-freshman-showcase"><em>Michigan Freshman Showcase</em></a><em> and </em><a href="https://events.prepdig.com/e/1136/register/michigan-stock-up-showcase"><em>Michigan Stock Up Showcase</em></a><em> are coming to Pontiac on Aug. 4. You can get $10 off your registration when you sign up by using code “EllisDig2024.” Be sure to register today.</em></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2. [player_tooltip player_id='442995' first='Marlie' last='Smith'], S Clarkston/Legacy</strong></h2>   <p>It's been a big month for Smith, who is coming off leading Legacy 15-1 ADIDAS to the <a href="https://prepdig.com/2024/06/legacy-15-1-adidas-captures-aau-15-open-national-title/">AAU National Championship</a>. In the process, she was named the 15 Open MVP for her outstanding play throughout the event. Smith was the picture of consistency and display the leadership skills and execution that make her special. She brought the best out of each of her hitters and got the ball to the hot hand at key times to finish off each big set.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>9. [player_tooltip player_id='464378' first='Ava' last='Bush-Nelson'], MH Jenison/FaR Out</strong></h2>   <p>Bush-Nelson is a talent middle prospect. The 6'1” hitter can be very explosive off the floor and she shows very impressive reaction time. Bush-Nelson also has a quick swing, which makes for a lot of velocity when you mix all the factors together. She's showing the timing and speed to be very difficult to stop in the middle. Defensively, Bush-Nelson has grown as a blocker and is likely to be a difference-maker in that regard in the years ahead.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>11. [player_tooltip player_id='454366' first='Jordyn' last='Jones'], OH Richmond/Michigan Elite</strong></h2>   <p>Jones is a hitter that is quickly building up her resume in the talented class. She's worked her way up the rankings already to be on the verge of the top 10. Her explosiveness off the floor is quite impressive and her swing is something to see. She has great arm speed that can deliver a vicious attack. Outside of her hitting, Jones has a lot of quickness to cover a lot of ground defensively and her passing has made a lot of strides in the last year.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>18. [player_tooltip player_id='442994' first='Makayla' last='Naves'], DS/L Grand Blanc/Legacy</strong></h2>   <p>Naves was part of the Legacy team that collected the national title last week. She's been a key piece to the defense all club season. Naves has great instincts and scrambles very well. Her ability to come through with a sprawling dig, or to keep a ball in play, was key for Legacy during bracket play. Naves has a great serve as well, which allows her to be a game-changer in multiple ways when on the court.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>WL [player_tooltip player_id='454375' first='Whitney' last='Swiercz'], OH Hudsonville/FaR Out</strong></h2>   <p>A familiar name in the Hudsonville circle, [player_tooltip player_id='454375' first='Whitney' last='Swiercz'] is a promising hitter. She's consistent at the net, bringing steady velocity on her attacks while maintaining form on her swing. Swiercz can cover a lot of space in her approach to the net, but as she gets a better feel for her timing, her attacks should dial up another level in speed and finishing rate. There's no question she will be one of the top Grand Rapids area hitters before all is said and done.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>WL [player_tooltip player_id='442975' first='Cristiana' last='Giglio'], OH Marian/Legacy</strong></h2>   <p>Giglio does a good job of taking the play that is available and not trying to force a power swing. She reads the ball well in her approach and displays the ability to climb the ladder when she needs to get up to attack. Giglio doesn't spend a lot of wasted energy either, allowing her to play with a level of consistency throughout the match.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>WL [player_tooltip player_id='490369' first='Rylee' last='Stanley-Eldred'], DS/L East Grand Rapids/FaR Out</strong></h2>   <p>Stanley-Eldred covers a lot of ground in the back row and she stays light on her feet. She is good for a quick sprawl or arm adjustment at the last second to make a play on the ball and is willing to take on the bumps and bruises that come with playing the position. Where she can continue to improve is working on her timing to get squared up to the ball more. That will allow for more consistent accuracy and keep her offense in-system.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>WL [player_tooltip player_id='442979' first='Evelyn' last='Koss'], DS/L St. Clair/Infinity</strong></h2>   <p>Koss does a good job of tracking the ball and looking it into her arms for a clean and accurate pass. She may not always be squared up, but she gets her arms in position to make sure the ball gets to her setter. Her footwork looks solid as well. As she starts to step up her competition level, it will be important for her to rely on these fundamental strengths to maintain a high level of play.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>WL [player_tooltip player_id='455952' first='Sofie' last='Williams'], OH Oakland Christian/Legacy</strong></h2>   <p>Williams was a real bright spot for Oakland Christian last fall, coming through with multiple double-digit kills performances. She's got the athleticism to be one of the top D4 hitters in the next few years. Williams has been pushing herself this club season as well with Legacy, getting some experience that will help her become even stronger of a finisher at the high school level. She's been playing in the middle at times to add to her skillset. At either spot, she shows a powerful swing that can fight through blockers.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>WL [player_tooltip player_id='523833' first='Tessa' last='Boomhour'], MH Dexter/L2</strong></h2>   <p>Boomhour made an impact as a freshman for Dexter as being one of the top blockers in the Class of 2027. The 6-footer stays very active at the net. She's got a good vertical with a long reach that allows her to get her hands on a lot of opposing attacks. Her hitting has been steady throughout the prep and club seasons, but Boomhour looks like a player that's ready to have the tempo picked up a bit. That should make her even more explosive at the net.</p>

It was a big few weeks for the Class of 2027 as many got to compete in the AAU National Championships last week. It makes for a good time to wrap up Prospect Roulette for the month with this class.