2024 rankings update: A fresh Top 25 & 16 stock risers

Progress. That’s what it’s all about for college basketball prospects who are on the long journey to the next level. It has been eight months since we last updated the Prep Girls Hoops Class of 2024 rankings, and there has been plenty of progress made. The players have traversed their way through their freshmen year of high school, and now they have survived the rigors of another season of spring ball. As a result of the progress made by some of the premier prospects among Minnesota’s incoming sophomores, the Top 25 has been reshaped in significant ways. That includes the Top 10, where there are three changes of note. (Just a reminder that these rankings are based on college potential, not current performance.) #5 – – The 6’0 forward from Spring Lake Park (Fury 2024 UAA) moves up one position and into the Top 5 where she sits in the pecking order behind #1 (Benilde-St. Margaret’s), #2 (Hopkins), #3 (Minnetonka) and #4 (St. Croix Lutheran). That’s a formidable group. Having adapted beautifully to her growth in stature, Mikayla is so much smoother than she was a year ago and her overall game has grown a ton, too. #6 – – The 5’10 guard from Minnetonka (North Tartan 2024 Nike) had an exceptional high school season during which she transitioned from an 8th grader coming off the bench to help to a go-to starter playing one of the state’s toughest schedules. It has been more of the same for McKinney in AAU where her defense has been stellar and her offense has continued to improve. Tori soars up the rankings from #20 to #6. #10 – – The 5’9 guard from St. Peter (North Tartan 2024 Nike) first came to our attention as an uber-athletic but very raw 8th grader, who tip-toed her way into AAU basketball last summer for the first time. This year Holmgren has been a dominant force on the state champion North Tartan team. Her skillset has expanded dramatically and her intensity level is unquestioned. Rhyan rises from #14 to #10. New to the Top 25 #16 – – Nobody has done more to help themselves this year than the 6’0 guard from Mountain Iron-Buhl (Starks Elite), who has soared up the charts. Coming off a stellar high school season, Zubich has continued to impress, including on opening day at the Mill City Invitational. One of the best pure shooters in the class, Jordan rises from #33 to #16, the largest jump overall among the 2024s. #20 – – There has never been any question about Gardner’s talent level. This spring the 6’0 wing from Eastview (Stars Amundson) has employed that talent to the fullest extent week after week. We love Savanah’s new-found intensity, her enhanced physical presence and her willingness to consistently attack the basket. Her ranking has been adjusted accordingly from #32 to #20. #21 – – There were some skeptics who wondered out loud how the transition would go for Morgan as she landed herself on Fury 2024 UAA, one of the elite squads in Minnesota where the expectations run high and the spotlight shines bright. Turns out there was no need to worry as Miller has been outstanding. She also grew to 6’2 on her way from #28 to #21. #25 – – The 6’0 guard from Delano started the season with Fury 2024 Premier ranked #30. Today she finds herself at #25 after a great spring and a switch to Fury 2024 UAA in a rare mid-season move-up. Danielson was the undisputed leader on the Premier team, and her transition to the UAA squad has gone very well. Norah is smooth and skilled and smart, and her upside is high. Who else moved up in the Top 25? #14 – – Watching Claire make the transition to Suns 2024 Blue Star has been a revelation as the 6’0 forward from Maple Grove has hit her stride. With a big frame, nice touch and plenty of athleticism there’s a lot to like about Claire’s ability. This spring, however, she has taken her game to new heights with an always-on-attack mindset and a grittier persona. She rises four spots to #14. #15 – – The 5’9 guard from Lakeville North (Fury 2024 UAA) offers a high degree of skill, a healthy dose of quickness and speed, and the expectation of consistent excellence. Gabby looks like she has all the confidence in the world when she plays, and it’s a demeanor that has enabled her to perform at a high level on a regular basis. It has also earned Betton a four-position improvement to #15. #19 – – Watching the evolution of Kadence’s game reminds me of the way (Duluth Marshall/Utah) developed. The end result could be similar. Hesse has shot up to 5’11 now, and the lanky guard from Sleepy Eye and the Minnesota Rise dominates at her level. We’d love to see what she can do against national competition. In the meantime, she’s up six positions to #19. Two more double-digit stock risers +16 – – forward, Shakopee (Suns 2024 Blue Star) The long and lanky 6-footer has made tremendous progress over the past year as she has grown into her body and become more comfortable in heavy traffic. Olivia became a crucial cog in Shakopee’s machine this winter– a primary scorer, quality ball-handler and reliable shooter who can hang with elite competitors. Olivia’s long-term prospects are excellent. She rises from #44 to #28. +15 – – forward, Chisholm (Playmakers North) Tresa plays with competitive fire, that little extra dose of grit that can make a difference when the game is on the line. The 6’0 forward has exceptional length, very nice athleticism and a great sense of anticipation. She runs the floor at pace, can beat opponents one-on-one and is a lot stronger than most players her age. Tresa’s performance has earned her a jump from #45 to #30. The rest of the stock risers +9 – – The 5’10 guard from Prior Lake (Fury 2024 Premier) rises from #48 to #39. +7 – – The 6’0 guard from Holy Angels (Fury 2024 Premier) goes from #43 to #36. +2 – – The 6’1 forward from Royalton (North Tartan 2024 Nike) is up from #40 to #38. +2 – – The crafty point guard from Chanhassen (North Tartan 2024 Nike) rises from #49 to #47.