2022 rankings update: Top 10 Biggest Stock Risers

One of the most enjoyable things about scouting girls basketball is watching the players improve over time. For some girls it is a slow-but-steady rise over a long period. For others, there are sudden breakthroughs. That’s what we like to celebrate when it comes time to update the Prep Girls Hoops prospect rankings. This time around is no exception which is why we bring you the biggest stock risers in the Class of 2022. <strong>TOP 5 STOCK RISERS</strong> <strong>+76 –</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="223912" first="Jenny" last="Ntambwe"] <strong>– forward, Coon Rapids (Stars Bjorgaard)</strong> Last fall the 6’1 Ntambwe took the initiative to work extensively on skill development to go along with her size and power. She parlayed that effort into a higher level of performance during the high school season. This year she switched AAU clubs and became one of the biggest revelations of the spring season. The rewards have been many, including plenty of college interest at different levels and now the honor of being the single biggest stock riser in the class. Ntambwe joined the Prep Girls Hoops rankings last fall at #140. She now rises 76 places to #64, doing it the old fashioned way through sheer effort. <strong>+71 –</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="182117" first="Rian" last="Aune"] <strong>– guard, Virginia (High Impact)</strong> The 5’7 combo guard from the Iron Range makes the giant leap from #147 to #76 this time around. It’s not that Rian has improved that much over the past several months. The fact is we just missed the boat in previous rankings, largely because we hadn’t seen her play enough in the early part of her career. Sorry Rian. That’s on us. Aune has been a standout performer for a long time, filling up stat sheets at the high school level and earning regional honors every year, not only in basketball but for volleyball and track, as well. As a result, Aune has earned a next-level opportunity at Southwest Minnesota State. <strong>+69 –</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="147451" first="Nevaeh" last="Hughes"] <strong>– guard, White Bear Lake (43 Hoops Elite)</strong> At 6’1, with tremendous leaping ability, speed in the open court, and a quick first step, Hughes is one of the most athletic players in the class. Nevaeh’s game has come a long way over the past few months as she has become a more consistent performer who can be counted on to deliver. Hughes can score in multiple different ways, but she is at her best in transition when few defenders have the tools to stop her in the open court. Nevaeh’s improvement has earned her a D1 opportunity at Canisius College in New York. It also earned her a jump from #130 to #61 in the Class of 2022 prospect rankings. <strong>+57 –</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="223913" first="Taryn" last="Frazer"] <strong>– guard, Cass Lake-Bena (Stars Bjorgaard)</strong> Taryn toiled in the background for a long time, working quietly on her game back home in Cass Lake, honing her ball-handling skills, extending her shooting range, putting in the hours to become a more complete player. We took note last summer of Frazer’s improvement and rewarded her with a spot in the Top 150. This winter Frazer’s game took off as she led Cass Lake-Bena to an excellent season. This spring the 5’4 point guard moved up to Stars Bjorgaard and just keeps on getting better. Frazer has swagger, and she’s also a star student. That’s why she has offers in hand and why she moves up to #84. <strong>+49 –</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="223915" first="Katelyn" last="Diegnau"] <strong>– forward, Granada-HEC (Minnesota Rise)</strong> I am not a big fan of excessive self-promotion when it comes to players, but when you live on a farmstead way off the beaten path and suit up for a high school program few have even heard of, it takes a little extra effort to get yourself noticed. Not only has Katelyn made sure that college coaches and scouts know who she is, the 6’0 forward has put in a ton of work to get better. This spring with the Rise, Diegnau has parlayed her energy, physical presence, and coachability to earn her just rewards: solid collegiate opportunities at the D2 level. Katelyn has also earned a 49-place rise in the rankings to #99 and she’s not done yet. <strong>5 MORE RISERS OF NOTE</strong> <strong>+38 –</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="109203" first="Lily" last="Niebuhr"] <strong>–  forward, Chaska (43 Hoops Elite)</strong> It can take a good long while for the biggest of the bigs to put it all together, and at 6’3 Lily is plenty big. Niebuhr appears to be breaking through currently and with size in short supply her timing is really good. Lily jumps up to #95 this time around and there could be a scholarship in her future. <strong>+21 –</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="147455" first="Alyssa" last="Stamer"] <strong>– guard, Hutchinson (Minnesota Rise)</strong> Alyssa is a student of the game and we have seen her put in endless hours working to improve. When Stamer put up 43 points on opening night of the high school season in January we knew we were witnessing a breakthrough. The 5’7 guard rises to #93 in a 2022 class loaded with great guards. <strong>+18 –</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="57928" first="Amber" last="Scalia"] <strong>– guard, Stillwater (Fury 2022 UAA)</strong> If you read our overview of stock risers in the 2022 Top 30 then you already know about Amber’s rise. The 5’9 guard has taken her game to a new level over the past year and demonstrated that she has the ability to dominate against all comers. The University of St. Thomas commit moves to #19. <strong>+17 –</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="109163" first="Taya" last="Jeffrey"] <strong>–  guard, Albert Lea (So. Minnesota Fury)</strong> Jeffrey is one of the most quietly competent prospects in the state. She plays with grace and flow and skill, and she has the ability to make it all look so easy. Now 5’10, Taya also has the length to hang with players of all descriptions and the tools to make the most of it. Jeffrey rises to #59 in the class. <strong>+14 –</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="147450" first="Grace" last="Massaquoi"] <strong>– forward, Holy Angels (MN Diamond Elite)</strong> At 6 feet tall with a powerful build, Grace is a tour de force when she’s clicking on all cylinders. She can pound the glass, guard players of all descriptions and score the basketball. Her role at Holy Angels has continued to expand, and this summer she has been a top scorer in every event. Grace rises to #63.