2027 NBA Draft Outlooks for Top Prospects at Iverson Classic
The 10th annual Iverson Classic will feature the top incoming NCAA freshmen, including the potential No. 1 overall pick for the 2027 NBA draft.
Last year's MVP, Darius Acuff Jr., is now a projected top-10 pick of a stacked 2026 draft.
The All-American Game on Saturday at the Hampton Coliseum in Virginia will include mostly seniors headed to power-conference colleges. But we have identified the names on scouts' radar who are deemed most likely to wind up in the NBA.
Tyran Stokes (Kansas, SG/SF)
1 of 6
Potential 2027 NBA Draft Range: Top 3
The headliner of the Iverson Classic, Tyran Stokes will arrive in Virginia fresh off a commitment to Kansas.
With a powerful frame, three-level shotmaking and playmaking feel, he's been atop his class' recruiting rankings for four years now.
The combination of 6'7", 230-pound size, perimeter skill, point-forward capabilities and an Alpha mentality create a valued and enticing archetype for NBA teams. The Jayhawks figure to run plenty of offense through their freshman next year.
There is sure to be debate around Stokes' leadership style and personality, as he can be aggressively vocal with brash, in-your-face confidence, traits that yield pros and cons.
Regardless, there is no questioning his natural talent or the upside tied to a jumbo wing who can handle, create and shoot from different spots on the floor.
Bryson Howard (Duke, SG/SF)
2 of 6Potential 2027 NBA Draft Range: Lottery
Even with Duke bringing back Dame Sarr and adding John Blackwell, Bryson Howard should still pop to NBA scouts.
A 6'6" frame, convincing shooting ability, defensive tools and strong rim finishing create an obvious three-and-D foundation. He'll also play his entire freshman season at 18 years old, and he's flashed enough signs of shotmaking diversity and connective passing to project another layer of offensive upside.
He could still stand to improve his handle and one-on-one package, which may be difficult to do in one year on a loaded Duke roster.
Regardless of role or production, Howard should be able to look like a clear NBA wing prospect with a valued skill set and adaptable, easy-fit game.
Derron Rippey Jr. (Duke, PG)
3 of 6
Potential 2027 NBA Draft Range: Top 20
With the way Derron Rippey Jr. moves and impacts games in various ways, NBA scouts should be willing to remain patient through any shooting troubles and willing to look past limited size.
Ultra quick, shifty and explosive off the dribble, he creates advantages that he's able to capitalize on with high-level passing and play-finishing around the key. NBA teams should see a true lead ball-handler (as opposed to an undersized scorer), important for a 6'2" guard.
He's flashed encouraging progress with his pull-up jumper as well. NBA eyes will be focusing closely on Rippey's perimeter shotmaking, a key swing skill as a projected higher-usage, on-ball initiator.
Though Cayden Boozer, Caleb Foster and John Blackwell may make it difficult for Rippey to build a productive, one-and-done case, the freshman does have fitting speed and offensive-spark capabilities that could work well for a change-of-pace role off Duke's bench.
Abdou Toure (Arkansas, SF)
4 of 6
Potential 2027 NBA Draft Range: Top 20
Abdou Toure's stock arrow keeps pointing further upward. He's coming off an impressive Nike Hoop Summit, where his 19 points, six boards and five blocks helped the World Team take USA to overtime inside an arena full of NBA executives.
His value and role for Arkansas will be clear: Toure projects as a physical presence, play-finisher and defensive disruptor with the size, athleticism and motor that translates to transition scoring, easy baskets and the ability to guard multiple positions.
With Arkansas loading up and potentially getting back Billy Richmond, Toure figures to play more of an energizer and athletic-specialist role. His offensive skill is still a bit behind his tools and movement for a 6'6" wing.
Still, long-term potential is easy to identify, and there have been enough signs of shotmaking to buy into Toure's room for offensive improvement.
Colben Landrew (Connecticut, SG)
5 of 6
Potential 2027 NBA Draft Range: Top 20
The NBA eye test should quickly detect Colben Landrew's 6'6" size and smooth, three-level shotmaking skills.
He's one of the better isolation scorers in the class with a tough combination of quick ball-handling moves, physicality, footwork and pull-up/step-back shooting ability.
He may wind up coming off the bench next year at Connecticut, depending how coach Dan Hurley chooses to use projected lottery pick Braylon Mullins, Duke transfer Nik Khamenia and returning Jayden Ross.
However, if Landrew proves to be an advanced, efficient scorer and effective defender, he won't need big numbers to entice NBA scouts.
Tajh Ariza (Oregon, SF)
6 of 6
Potential 2027 NBA Draft Range: First round
Tajh Ariza had a strong week of practices last week in Portland for the Nike Hoop Summit. And scouts have now had plenty of opportunities to evaluate and monitor his growth since early in high school.
For an 18-year-old who's yet to play in college, Ariza's game already feels well-defined. He combines 6'10" wing size and athleticism to finish plays in transition, crash the glass and make exciting defensive plays on the ball. He's not a playmaker, but Ariza makes good passing reads and decisions that allow him to provide connector value.
He's also a capable shooter, though becoming a more reliable one will unlock the three-and-D potential that helps generate further trust from scouts.
