Arkansas Watch List Class of 2027
Arkansas has some really talented high school players. The classes of 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026 will have several players play competitive basketball beyond high school. There are even some players that will get the opportunity to play on the big stage of high level division 1. This article will focus on who’s next. The next crop of young players coming up that haven’t played one minute of high school basketball but should be on everyone’s radar.
The players listed below are players I have seen or heard about. So if I miss someone, don’t hold it against me. I’ll see them eventually. Let’s look at some very talented middle school/jr. high players in the state of Arkansas.
Miciah Fusilier | 6’3 | Forward | Camden | 2027
Miciah is a special talent. The potential is through the roof and she is already making a name for herself with several college coaches and national scouting services and evaluators. The forward can play multiple positions and her length give her the ability to defend multiple positions. She’s been ranked as high as #2 in the nation in her class and as low as #10. She already hold offers from Ole Miss and Arkansas and has been getting interest from other SEC schools.
Journey Jefferson | 5’7 | Guard | Earl | 2027
I’ve talked about Journey a few times. Her development over the past couple of years has been great. Her shooting has been coming along, her IQ has improved, and her pace has been great. I remember telling someone a couple of years ago that I loved her energy, but she seemed to rush when she played. She now plays more controlled and has really ascended in the right direction. Journey has been getting interest from mid-major division 1 colleges and has been ranked in the top 100 by one publication at #77.
Randi Stewart | 5’8 | Guard | Pulaski Academy | 2027
I have to admit I only saw a glimpse of Randi play this past summer, but that will change this basketball season and upcoming AAU season. I did see her play a couple of years ago and I said then that she had the potential to be one of the best players in the state in her class. Well, she’s starting to make some noise. Not just locally or state wide, but nationally. Randi is now considered one of the top players in the nation according to Top Spot Basketball Rankings. They have her listed at #26 and I can see her moving up the ranks as she continues to develop.
Jacey Halitzka | 5’4 | Combo Guard | Bergman | 2027
I got the opportunity to see Jacey play my Middle School Showcase. She is starting to get national attention with her play for the Arkansas Banshees 2027 squad. According to Top Spot Basketball Rankings, Jacey is #88 in the nation. After watching her I will say she is definitely talented. She can flat out shoot the ball. When you combine her shooting with her ability to create off the dribble, you have a problem if you are the defense. She gets to the rim and can finish with either hand, shoots the three-ball really well, and with range. Jacey can also shoot the mid-range with the best of them. She is the best shooter I’ve seen in the state in the class of 2027.
Brinley Collins | 5’4 | Combo Guard | Bergman | 2027
Brinley is another play I got to see at my Middle School Showcase. I had heard the name and seen a few clips online, but this was the first time I got the opportunity to see her in person. I have to say I was highly impressed with her skill set. Brinley has a motor on both ends of the floor. Offensively, she has a nice handle that allows her to get by her defender and into the lane and finish in the lane in a variety of ways. She can play through contact and shoot the three-ball. On defense, she gives great effort and understands how to help and when to rotate. This young lady will be name to know for years to come.
Jaida Crawford | 5’7 | Wing | Fayetteville | 2027
Jaida is an athletic wing player that can play the 1-3 spots. Her athleticism makes her a tough cover for the opposition. Her speed and quickness, along with her ability to handle the ball gives her an advantage to get in the lane and make plays. She’s a respectable shooter and the energy she brings on defense gives her the potential to be a really good lock down defender. Jaida is another player in Arkansas that could be a top player in the state for her class for years to come and even become known nationally.
Faith Sartor | 6’2 | Post | Alma | 2027
Faith could end up being the best post player in the state in her class when she gets to high school. Being 6’2 in the 8th grade makes her a tough player to guard. She can play with her back to the basket, but she is also comfortable out on the perimeter executing pick and rolls and dibble hand-offs. She can be physical on offense when scoring from the block or going after rebounds and on defense. Faith has the ability to make plays from the perimeter and has a good IQ. She has good potential and will continue to get better.
Madisen Campbell, Makenlie Campbell, Sadie Minton, Bailey Barton, and Kloee Garner are also players that have potential to be very good. Madisen and Makenlie Campbell are twins out of Springdale. I haven’t seen them play enough to get a good evaluation. I know the potential is there and when it’s all said and done, their names will be mentioned as two of the best in the state in their class. Sadie Minton is out of Rose Bud and attended my Middle School Showcase so I got the opportunity to see her skill set. She’s another that just needs to continue to develop and add skills to her game and she could be a tough player in the 2027 class. Bailey Barton is a player I have seen videos of her working out, but haven’t had the opportunity to see her in person. She has a good work ethic and nice skill set from what I could tell and I’m interested in seeing her in the near future. Kloee Garner should also be mentioned. If she continues to develop she will be a great player for Russellville.