Fantastic Freshman: Class of 2026 standouts
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Every year, every new class gets more and more talented; the class of 2026 is the perfect example of that. Here are five standouts from that phenomenal class that I’ve seen. Sanai Green VA #1 SF #1 HEIGHT 6'0" POS…
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Continue ReadingEvery year, every new class gets more and more talented; the class of 2026 is the perfect example of that. Here are five standouts from that phenomenal class that I’ve seen.
About a month before Sanai Green Sanai Green 6’0″ | SF Steward School | 2026 State VA started her freshman campaign, I saw her at elevate your game clinic for Elevate Elite. Green was impressive and was the best player there. She has a nice-looking shooting stroke, and even though she hasn’t taken many, she’s shown her ability to shoot the three efficiently. Where Green shines is her prowess in the paint. Green is averring 20.8 PPG, and most of those points come in the paint. She also averages 8.8 boards. Green is strong and a tremendous athlete; she uses that on both sides of the ball, averaging 1.6 blocks per game.
Stone Bridge guard Carly Sweazie Carly Sweazie 5’6″ | PG Bishop O’ Connell HS | 2026 State VA is a fun player to watch. She is fantastic at getting to the rim and finishing through contact. She shoots the ball well and has a complete offensive game. Sweazie will be a big player in Northern Virginia for the next three years and will only improve.
Claire Kang
Claire Kang
I have mentioned previously how underrated Centreville guard Claire Kang is. Her ball handling is fantastic, and her IQ is excellent for anyone, let alone a freshman. I watched Kang play in a game against a good South Lakes team and coming into the day, I had never seen her play or even heard much of anything about her. So I assumed she was an upperclassman just because everything came so easy to her. She glided by defenders and found open teammates dissecting the South Lakes defense. She may not be a known commodity now, but in the coming years, she’ll be a real player in NOVA.
It’s appropriate to throw in another Gainsville Cardinals forward because of how impressive their frontcourt is. Demi Gilliam Demi Gilliam 6’1″ | SF Paul VI | 2026 State VA possesses unique qualities for a player so young. For starters, Gilliam offensively has the perfect mix of finesse and Power. She has great touch to get along with her length. She uses both to rise over smaller defenders and get her automatic post hook up. When teams run zone, she either sits at the elbow, posts up, and uses her touch to finish from 6-10 feet or makes a decisive move to the rim. She is also a tremendous rebounder, especially on offense. Gilliam is an impressive defender; she moves well and uses her length to alter shots. What I like most about Demi Gilliam Demi Gilliam 6’1″ | SF Paul VI | 2026 State VA is her ability to get a rebound and push the ball with her ball handling. She is the total package!
Peyton White Peyton White 6’0″ | C Gainesville HS | 2026 State VA is a force on the defensive side of the ball. She averages 2.5 BPG and uses her length and timing to shut down anything in the paint. White also shoots a high percentage around the rim, and even though her offensive game is limited right now, it’s something that I’m sure will grow over the next three years.