2024 Stock Risers: Forwards

<span data-preserver-spaces="true">Continuing the deep dive into the new ’24 rankings, we’re looking at the forwards whose stock has risen. These players have performed well to begin the season and have earned their bumps in the rankings. I will go over what has exactly helped them raise their stock.</span> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">No. 26 [player_tooltip player_id="266993" first="Ava" last="Brandenburg"]-5’11 G/F-Evansville</span></strong> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">What makes Brandenburg unique is her versatility. A coach can use Brandenburg in almost any way they see fit. The Evansville sophomore has shown that she’s capable of leading an offense and playing efficiently with her back to the basket. Teams have been playing the Blue Dukes this season and making sure they can slow Brandenburg down. In return, Brandenburg has received a ton of attention from opposing defenses. Because of that, I don’t buy that she’s only a 27% 3-point shooter. She’s likely better than that. However, her ability to score at every level, in every style, shows her potential to be a unique playmaker who could play one to four, maybe even some five. </span> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">No. 33 [player_tooltip player_id="337030" first="Amanda" last="Heusterberg"]-6’0 F-Shoreland Lutheran</span></strong> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">The team success hasn’t been there for Heusterberg at Shoreland Lutheran, but the sophomore has shown her talent this season. The forward has averaged a double-double this season. Heusterberg has averaged 16 points and 10 rebounds per game. Usually, players in the situation Heusterberg’s in, play inefficiently and their scoring tends to be something that doesn’t mean much. For the sophomore to still score at an efficient clip is impressive. Heusterberg may be the only player who can say she doesn’t try to do too much. Because of her scoring and rebounding, she has become an intriguing prospect.</span> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">No. 38 [player_tooltip player_id="337021" first="Lindsey" last="Nell"]-5’11 G/F-Winnebago Lutheran</span></strong> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">The Winnebago Lutheran sophomore has been solid this season for her team. The 5-foot-11 wing has scored 16 points and pulled down over eight rebounds per game. I think there is room to grow for Nell offensively. Her shooting numbers could rise as she puts more work into her game. Her jumper is simple, with a low lift. She is athletic enough to jump passing lanes and make plays defensively on the perimeter. There are plenty of building blocks left for Nell to continue to raise her stock over the next few seasons.</span> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">No. 55 [player_tooltip player_id="267000" first="Halle" last="Vande Hey"]-6’0 C-Xavier</span></strong> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">If Vande Hey’s offensive game never comes around, her ability to wreck games defensively makes her an intriguing next-level prospect. Right now, her offensive game is far behind where you’d want it to be at an efficiency standpoint, and that’s concerning. However, what she can do on the defensive makes up for everything, in my opinion. Vande Hey is athletic enough to switch one to five on the perimeter, but she’s also strong enough to deal with some of the talented post players in the Fox Valley area. The center’s ability to do anything defensively makes her a unique prospect.</span> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">No. 78 [player_tooltip player_id="266989" first="Emma" last="Lechleitner"]-5’10 G/F-Lake Holcombe </span></strong> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">Lechleitner shows flashes of being an intriguing wing prospect. Summers will be important for her to raise her stock over the next few years. At Team Wisconsin, she will be around good coaching and play at a higher competition level. At Lake Holcombe, she needs to up her efficiency numbers to match what I see on film. Lechleitner has a good handle of the ball and plays well in traffic. Defensively, the sophomore has shown she can affect games with her length and ability to read opposing offenses. Next season without [player_tooltip player_id="347159" first="Brooke" last="Lechleitner"], it will be interesting to see how Emma handles the uptick in responsibility.</span>