They Have Next: Here Are the Top Rising 8th Graders
Mikayla Blakes, Rio University: The top incoming freshman is a terror for defenses attacking from the wing. She’s athletic and can score from all three levels and is capable of handling point guard duties in a pinch. What separates her…
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Continue ReadingMikayla Blakes, Rio University: The top incoming freshman is a terror for defenses attacking from the wing. She’s athletic and can score from all three levels and is capable of handling point guard duties in a pinch. What separates her from her peers is her ability to also get after it on the defensive end of the floor.
Hope Masonius, Philadelphia Belles: Her sister, Faith, is a freshman for the University of Maryland. Four years from now, Hope will be able to pick whatever college she wants to play at. She’s that good. She has an advanced skillset for her age and her IQ is off the charts.
Leah Harmon: The 5-4 point guard has played for numerous AAU programs during her standout middle school career. She is capable of running the offense or getting buckets thanks to her ability to knock down 3-pointers. She is also crafty with her passing, setting up her teammates for easy scoring opportunities.
Lauryn Swann, Philadelphia Belles: The 5-6 combo guard is a walking bucket. She is an above-average shooter, gets to the rim with ease and has a high school-ready pullup. Although she gets a little too flashy at times, she has more talent than just about everyone on this list.
Mia Pauldo, New Jersey Sparks: Yes, at 5-3 she’s undersized, but you can’t measure the heart of Pauldo. All she does is make winning plays. She creates for others, can shoot it, is a pest on defense and is not afraid to take the big shot.
Alexis Rosenfeld, New Jersey Sparks: The only post player on this list, the 6-2 forward blocks shots, rebounds on both ends of the floor and has a bunch of offensive moves on the block.
Devyn Quigley, Philadelphia Bells: The 5-6 point guard excels at reading defenses and can get to any spot on the floor that she wants. She has a decent shot from behind the arc, but her biggest skill is setting teammates up.
Julia Karpell, Rio University: She is the best long-distance shooter of the bunch. The daughter of St. John’s Vianney head coach Dawn Karpell, her basketball IQ is off the charts and she has built a reputation for knocking down big shots with the game on the line.
Mya Pauldo, New Jersey Sparks: While her sister Mia gets more of the headlines, Mya is an outstanding hooper, too. She is a good passer and she can shoot off the dribble or in pass-and-catch situations.
Morgan Matthews, Rio University: The wing runs the floor well, finishes in transition, rebounds well for her size and is a disruptive defender. She checks a lot of boxes.
Jennah Johnson, New Heights: The 5-9 guard appears taller than she is because of her wingspan. She has a motor, can play multiple positions on offense and is an above-average on- and off-the-ball defender.