IMLCA Players Summit: 2027 Breakout Prospects

To start our IMLCA Players Summit series, we're spotlighting the 2027 hidden gems who aren't getting enough attention yet. After strong performances in Florida, each of them looks ready to level up as we head into the winter and spring seasons.    The Cleveland State commit proved to be a hidden gem at the IMLCA Players Summit, scoring in a ton of different ways. As a dodger, he has the speed to run past most defenders, and when you pair that with his agility and change of speed, he becomes a nightmare to guard. What really stood out was his shot selection—from the wing and in the middle of the field. He can stop and pop in an instant, or use that to draw a check, free his hands, and get to the spots he wants. Off the catch, his release is lightning quick, and he can fire it from any angle. Defenders have to stay glued to his hands and be ready for the lefty rollback, or they'll give up shots and feeds all game long. Cullen showed he's far more than a system scorer—he's a true problem to match up with.     VanBuskirk was everywhere at the IMLCA Players Summit. He forced turnovers, scooped up everything in sight, and pushed the pace every chance he got. His height may be holding college coaches back, but his play speaks for itself. Defensively, he's got the straight-line speed to beat attackmen to the endline on shots, erase space in rotations, and chase plays down in transition. And transition is really where he pops. He looks like an attackman with a pole—skipping the ball across the field, ripping shots on the run, and finishing in tight with flair. He can even take a matchup in settled 6-on-6 and make something happen. If I'm a mid-tier program, I'm not letting his height scare me off. VanBuskirk is a playmaker, plain and simple.     Andrew LeBlanc has the résumé to back up his game—First Team All-Conference and already the second all-time scorer in school history after just two seasons. He's fast, two-handed, and deceptive with the ball. His ability to blast off from anywhere on the field, mix in hesitations, and get shots off with either hand makes him a nightmare matchup. With his feet set, he's a dangerous shooter with both hands. He finds gaps, catches everything “loaded,” and fires it off with real pop. In the ride, he's a straight-up dawg. He uses his speed to get in front of guys, and his football background helps him put opposing short sticks on the turf. LeBlanc's blend of skill, speed, and toughness makes him one of the more intriguing uncommitted offensive threats in the Midwest.     The uncommitted lefty has a really unique style, characterized by constant hitches and a high cradle. There are pros and cons to it, but the advantages fit him perfectly. He'll show pass out of it, but really, he's using that posture to hitch, fake, and set up re-dodges or shots. It throws off off-ball defenders because they can't time their checks on skips and are constantly guessing where the ball is going. It freezes goalies the same way—he holds it just long enough before snapping off a quick release. As a dodger, he's smooth and fast, able to run past most defenders and get up the hashes and into the middle of the field. His combination of speed, deception, and that high cradle makes him a tough cover and a tough read for everyone involved.     Chapman stood out at the IMLCA Players Summit for the way he anchored his team's defense, but there's a lot more to his game than just that. His slide timing and feel for hunting doubles really stood out, and he ended possessions because of it. The uncommitted pole has real upside in one-on-one defense too. He uses his length to land trail checks and take away space. In transition, he plays with confidence, pushes the tempo, makes the right reads, and is a legit threat with or without the ball. Coming up from JV last year, I see Chapman as a player who's going to take a big jump as he settles in and leans into what he does well.

To start our IMLCA Players Summit series, we're spotlighting the 2027 hidden gems who aren't getting enough attention yet. After strong performances in Florida, each of them looks ready to level up as we head into the winter and spring seasons.