2026 Rankings Update: The Top Ten

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2026 rankings have officially been updated for the summer! While all of the PGH Kentucky scouts tried to provide some feedback for this rankings update, we realized too late that we did not give any feedback for the top 10 or so players in the 2026 class, so those rankings actually stayed the same in this update. We will look at those top 10 spots more in the next update, but looking at who is included in the top 10, I don't see anyone that doesn't deserve to be in the top of these rankings. These players have been making a lot of noise this summer and there are multiple players on this list that have picked up D1 offers in the past few months. Let's take a look at those ten names.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["494359"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Lowe started off the AAU season as strong as anyone. Playing up on [program_tooltip program_id='712592' first='Kentucky' last='Premier']'s 16U EYBL team, she not only started for that talented team, but was one of their main contributors on both ends of the floor. Despite not being a true post player, they were still able to rely on her presence inside, showing some really tough moves in the post and an ability to elevate over defenders to get her shot off. However, her guard skills and strong outside shooting make her an extremely versatile player as she can truly be effective at any position she's asked to play. Unfortunately, Lowe is currently recovering from an ACL injury she suffered this summer, but she seems to be working already in hopes of coming back from that injury stronger than ever. She also earned her first D1 scholarship offer in May from Western Kentucky University.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["376791"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Wilkins is another player that is playing up and starting on [program_tooltip program_id='712592' first='Kentucky' last='Premier']'s 16U EYBL team. She has been a high impact player for them all spring and summer. It's impossible to not notice her scoring ability when you watch her play. She can score at all 3 levels and in a variety of ways. Consistently shown an ability to score off the dribble, off the catch, and on the move. She's a very smooth ball handler and can make plays for her teammates. Her high school team at CAL should be one of the top teams in the state this season and she is a big reason why. I have no doubts what she's doing this summer will translate seamlessly into the HS season and she will continue to make people take notice of her when she's on the floor. Wilkins picked up her first D1 offer this summer from Northern Kentucky University.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["376806"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Yeast is a true glue player. While she has all of the talent to make herself shine, she's a true team player who constantly gets her teammates involved. She has excellent speed and athleticism. A really tough defender who can apply a lot of pressure. Active hands allow her to get steals and deflections as well. I actually haven't gotten the chance to watch Yeast play this summer, so I can't speak to improvements she's made to her game, but I am very excited to see her suit up for GRC this season. GRC has a very talented roster and her style of play should fit in perfectly. Very hard worker and a 2 way player. Has already received some interest from D1 schools.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["376804"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Chestnut has been putting in work all spring and summer. She's a high IQ player who works hard every second she's on the floor. She can be relied on to lockup the opposing team's best guard while also making smart plays on the offensive end of the floor. She makes some tough drives to the basket and she makes those tough to defend with her ability to finish in different ways and her ability to kick when help steps over. She can also knock down shots from all over the court and has strong handles. While she played a big role for GRC last season, I expect that role to grow even more this upcoming season which says a lot considering some of the big transfers they have had come into their program in the off-season.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["376789"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"If you really watch James when she's on the court, you're going to walk away impressed every single time. She is a very smooth and shifty ball handler. She can handle whatever pressure is thrown her way and makes it very difficult for the defense to stay in front. She does a great job getting into gaps and drawing help defense. James is a true playmaker with the ability to create for her teammates as well as creating space to score herself. She can knock down outside shots and pull-up jumpers along with her ability to score in the paint or at the rim. After graduating some key seniors, James is poised to be the star for Manual this upcoming season. She also picked up a D1 offer this summer from Western Kentucky University.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["493154"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"Reitzel is another glue type of player. She is going to work extremely hard when she's on the court and she will do all of the little things that are asked of her. She crashes the boards strong, she works defensively, she sees the floor, and she doesn't force stuff that isn't there. When I got to see her play this summer, it was obvious that she's been putting in a ton of work this offseason. She was never a bad ball handler, but there were times she looked hesitant with pressure in the past and I didn't see any hesitation from her this summer. Made great passes, consistently ran the floor, and did a great job of knocking down shots quickly. Also made some strong drives. Reitzel came off the bench and contributed valuable minutes in her freshman season, but she is poised to play a much larger role for Mercy this upcoming season.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["376761"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"Tinelli has been catching the eyes of scouts from all over the country this summer. She's got a very quick first step and excellent speed overall. It's hard for a defender to stay in front of her because of the way she utilizes fakes and her ability to score inside or out. She has really elevated her scoring game this summer. While she's always had good instincts, she has started being able to really create space to give herself great looks at the basket. Quick release on her shot allows her to get shots off as soon as she creates that space. Tinelli also has true floor general skills. She handles the ball well, sees the court, and makes great passes. She moves well without the ball and can apply a lot of pressure defensively. Expect Tinelli to be a major contributor on both ends of the court for Bullitt East this upcoming season.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["376764"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"Downey has always been a very unselfish player when I've watched her play in the past and while she is still far from selfish, she is definitely learning how to really take over games. There was a game I watched this summer where she knocked down four straight shots from deep range when her team was really needing to get points on the board. She's got a very pure jumper and catches ready to fire. She does a great job of finding and moving to the gaps on the perimeter. Downey also has solid PG skills that have been on full display all summer long. She has been the primary ball handler on both her school and AAU team, showing her court awareness, ball handling skills, and passing ability. Downey led North Bullitt in scoring last season (13.5 PPG), but I honestly wouldn't be surprised to see that number be more like 20+ PPG this upcoming season with the way she's been playing recently.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["376788"],"_player_evaluations_8_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"Courtney is definitely a player to watch for this upcoming season as I have a feeling she'll be making a lot of noise at her new school. The lefty is a high IQ player who can score at all 3 levels. She has extremely deep range on her outside shot and she can get it off very quickly so she doesn't need much space to knock them down. She has some great moves to get past her defender as well, so opposing teams really have to respect her ability to drive on top of her ability to shoot the ball. On her drives, she's shown an ability to consistently finish in crafty ways around the rim. She also does a great job of constantly moving without the ball. Courtney has active hands defensively and can really disrupt an offense as well. She was Bardstown's leading scorer and 2nd leading rebounder last season and I'd expect nothing less at Elizabethtown this upcoming season.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_player":["376802"],"_player_evaluations_9_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"I believe Young was the first 2026 in Kentucky to pick up a D1 offer as Murray State offered her back in September of last year. I'd be shocked if she hasn't garnered a lot more interest this summer as she has been playing a vital role on [program_tooltip program_id='712592' first='Kentucky' last='Premier']'s 15U EYBL team. She has a ton of athleticism and she uses that so well to be a disruptive defender. She has good versatility with her ability to both play and guard multiple positions. On the offensive end, she can score inside or out and in a variety of different ways. Recognizes mismatches and can post up around the basket, makes strong drives, can knock down outside shots, etc. Young is also a strong passer and is always solid on the boards. As a freshman, she nearly averaged a double-double for South Oldham and I'd expect her to hit that mark in her sophomore season. The Lady Dragons return a lot of their main core and add an impact player in [player_tooltip player_id='638832' first='Gracie' last='Sipes'].","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":10,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64bed5c496c07"} /-->