Midwest MSA: 2027 Top-40 All-Stars
July 31, 2023 by Max Feldman
A loaded Midwest MSA in Romeoville has come to a close. Plenty to break down, here we'll dive into the 2027 Top-40 All-Stars.
Tim West
After a strong introduction down in Augusta in early July, West backed it with another positive weekend in Romeoville. Shifty and fluid with the ball in his hands, he's tough to stick in front of and continues to progress as an off-ball scorer. The Madison, Wisconsin native's best basketball is well ahead of him.
Mekhi Robertson
Highly productive weekend for the 6-3 guard out of New Jersey. Pairs a lightning quick first step, strong size for his position and scoring instincts to fill it up. Certainly doesn't need the ball in his hands to get his, thriving as a closeout creator and filling the lane in transition. Energetic scoring guard with room for more.
Markese Peoples
A unique skillset, but one that proved highly effective in his home turf. Peoples has an off-kilter cadence to his on-ball creation, routinely shedding his defender with crafty footwork and physicality to open up space around the lane. Pressures the rim and creates advantages effectively.
Lazar Djilas
At 6-7 with an exceedingly strong feel for the game, Djilas asserted himself on the radar with a weekend full of flashes. A versatile offensive piece, he provided value in a number of ways. Mid-post playmaking, spot up shooting, timely cuts and finishing around the rim. Skilled forward with size on his side.
Tra'jhin Aleem
Aleem seems to get better and better with each viewing, and it was more of the same at Midwest MSA. 6-1 with plus length and impressive pace creating out of ball screens, he plays with patience and scores it an efficient clip off the dribble. Big on the Arkansas native's upside long-term.
Christian Cast
Cast came on strong at the end of the Spring Circuit with The Family, and continued the momentum this weekend in Chicago. A quick-twitch creator with a smooth pull up game, he scores it in bunches and oozes with confidence. He's growing more consistent quick, and should impact the game before long at the next level.
Brandon Furtch
Nice introductory weekend to the Texas native with intriguing upside. A fluid 6-0 athlete with pull-up shot-making ability and strong feel for attacking closeout, he had plenty of impressive moments en route to an All-Star selection. 2027 in Texas to keep tabs on.
Dylan Jones
All Spring long, Jones did the little things to elevate the guys around him and impact winning with Brad Beal Elite. Now, the 6-4 versatile wing seems to be playing with another level of confidence and aggression, specifically on the offensive end. Athletic, skilled out of the mid-range and rugged getting to the rim.
Jamal Holden
All energy, all the time. That's been the story for Holden and it continued that way this weekend. The 6-5 Arkansas native is loaded with length and is a threat to wreak havoc defensively each time down. Runs the floor as hard as any young big who we've seen this summer. Ton of upside as his skill level and feel for the game grow in polish.
Jamier Montgomery
Montgomery lived in the paint all weekend, leading an All-Star selection with a loaded pool of talent on tap. Shifty and quick twitch, he got downhill in a hurry and turned semi-transition opportunities into easy looks at the rim for himself and his teammates consistently.
Xavier Sanchez
Steady as they come, Sanchez put together a nice weekend at Midwest MSA. A key piece for Expressions Elite all winter long, thee 6-2 guard brought his trademark two-way impact to the table game in and game out. Knocks down shots, makes the simple play and competes each time out.
Noah Emmanuel
6-9 with plus length and an impressive activity level, Emmanuel produced as a rim runner and flashed room for more. The incoming Whitney Young (IL) big's feel continues to improve with each viewing, making his presence felt as a rim protector and finisher. Plenty of upside as he gets more reps against high level competition.
DeMarion Lee
One of the big late risers this spring with Next Page Force, Lee put together another fantastic weekend in Chicago. 6-3 with a well-built frame, the Arkansas native is a reliable catch and shoot threat with excellent instincts attacking closeouts. Understands how to impact the game in his role and has a skillset that scales up seamlessly.
DeMari Stephens
6-4 with strength on his frame and high level ball skills, Stephens stood out as a mismatch slasher in his home territory. Physical, rugged and skilled off the bounce, he displaced defenders and paved out space getting downhill. Another member of an impressive 2027 class in Illinois.
Fred Martin
A blur given any space, Fred Martin continues to build momentum after a positive spring with Team Thad. Wide shoulders to go with electric speed, he's a handful to keep out of the paint. Gets to the line, plays with energy and is loaded with counters off the dribble. Hard-nosed two-way guard.
Eyobel Abraham
The tools leapt out all spring long, and Abraham showed more continued progress on the weekend. 6-6 with fluid movement skills and defensive instincts, he's disruptive impacting shots from the weakside and covers ground in a hurry. Plenty of tools to build on moving forward for the Michigan native.
Josh Tyson
Skilled and steady, Tyson showed well in an impressive group of young guards. Strong and hard-nosed with promising feel in ball screens, the Ohio native blends his scoring and playmaking ability well at an early stage. Sturdy playmaker continues to grow more confident and consistently impactful.
Quinton Kitt
A late riser with the Mac Irvin Fire late spring, Kitt does all the little things to impact winning and bring value in an ancillary role. Young and with the strong size on the wing, the Peoria (IL) native defends multiple spots, makes the simple play offensively and knocks down open shots. High on his approach as a role player.
Micah Goodlow
Goodlow came on strong as the weekend rolled on, landing in the Top-40 All-Star game. Skilled and twitchy with a polished handle, he pressured the rim and created easy opportunities for guys around him consistently. Soft touch float game and a quick first step, he was tough to bottle up when things got rolling.
Dooney Johnson
A rangy 6-4 wing with plus athleticism, Johnson brought his normal defense disruptiveness along with the flashes of expanded offense. Comfortable and confident scoring out of the mid-range, he utilized his length well and seems to be beginning to find his way in terms of consistency on that end. Milwaukee native with plenty of tools.