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Remember the good old days when each team had a position called the “post”, well believe it or not they still exist in today’s game! In a day and age when every team seems to play transition and let it…
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Continue ReadingRemember the good old days when each team had a position called the “post”, well believe it or not they still exist in today’s game! In a day and age when every team seems to play transition and let it fly from anywhere, here’s a list of girls specializing in what they do inside the arc. Ring the bell!
6’1 Ruby Jansen Ruby Jansen 6’1″ | PF Marian | 2025 State MI is a mountain 2025 post for Bloomfield Hills Marian. Why haven’t we heard more about her? The Swanson sisters happen to play at Marian as well, and they’re stout. Ruby came up clutch for the Mustangs last season, hitting a game winning free throw against Groves in districts. She played travel ball this summer for 2025 Mystics NE2K Ocampo, but it was at a recent scrimmage where I had the chance to see her potential. Ruby maintains confidence on the court and sideline, supporting teammates by standing up during breaks and providing verbal encouragement. She maintains eye contact with the coach and responds with a face of confidence and composure: underrated traits that demonstrate leadership. Ruby sets strong screens and has the quickness to establish herself in the paint with hands ready for the pass. She establishes defensive positioning well with both hands up, but is also a great help side rim protector/shot blocker. Ruby could stand there and jump for balls, but she initiates contact with opponents to be in position for a rebound. She is very effective either passing from the top into the low post or receiving the low post entry pass. Ruby gets low on her seals and is able to pin her defender with an assertive drop step. Keep your eyes open for this Mustang battling on the blocks!
Brielle Brooks
Brielle Brooks
6’0 2026 Brielle Brooks is a force in the paint. At Detroit Mercy’s elite camp she consistently established inside positioning in the low post with a soft, high finish around the rim. Her drop steps are in good form and she can use a strong power dribble to reposition for a better shot opportunity. An unexpected ability in her game is her face up ability. At her size, she can still catch the ball in the high post or perimeter area, face the basket, and drive to the rim with a few power dribbles. In transition, Brielle can catch the pass and finish around the rim. Brielle is a powerful post player and being a sophomore, she can become an unstoppable force for the Hawks.
Jayla Holiday Jayla Holiday 6'0" | C Lapeer | 2026 State MI
Jayla Holiday Jayla Holiday 6'0" | C Lapeer | 2026 State MI
6’0 2026 Jayla Holiday Jayla Holiday 6’0″ | C Lapeer | 2026 State MI reminds me of one player: Lakers Shaq. Jayla rotates block to block with a hand up: effectively using a spin when fronted. Her size and strength means you will be hanging on her arms and she will still get the shot off. She finishes well around the blocks and off two feet and high points the ball on passes and rebounds. Jayla is absolutely a rim protector, if you go into the lane half committed your shot is coming right back at you! She sets good ball screens and finishes with the ball high off of the lob instead of bringing the ball down. Jayla is your template back to the basket post and the exciting part is how much she still has to give and develop in her role. Only a sophomore, she has the potential to be a special post player if she continues to progress. Check out her highlights from the LBI Summer Sweet Sixteen below!
Izzy Ivezaj
Izzy Ivezaj
6’1 2026 Izzy Ivezaj might be the most effective post defender I saw this summer. At the Lake Orion league in June, she displayed extreme toughness as she battled in the paint. Izzy has the strength to body up and fight for winning position defensively: fronting or help-side. At her length and quickness it’s almost impossible to put a shot up when she’s rotating over to protect the rim. She sky’s up for the rebounds, chins the ball, and once that first pass is made you better sprint back! Her quickness to close the gap on shots makes it a challenge for shooters and cutters to score while she’s on the court. Look for her on the court this fall! Read about Izzy’s freshman season here.
Another post I’d like to mention in this conversation is Aubree Meyer Aubree Meyer 6’0″ | PF Hartland | 2024 State MI . She is one of those hard working, tough, grind it out, strong posts that coaches want on their team and opponents hate to play against. Aubree set a school record for shot put (read) demonstrating her power and strength. She brings that same approach into her post play: she works for position in the paint and does an excellent job sealing and drop stepping. She is effective at establishing position and presenting her hands high for an easier entry pass. Aubree can face the defender using a pivot and then pound dribble under control to the rim (high ball rip). She can make shots in the mid post and has the ability to put the ball on the floor facing up to the rim as well. Her range has increased and she will make a three point basket if you choose to give that to her! After playing travel with FVV the Hype look to see her this fall with the Hartland Eagles!
2026 Post Prospects
I have been holding my breath hoping nobody broke the news on these two before I got the chance: it’s too late now! These two posts are athletes I expect to take a big step this upcoming season and carve out a prominent role with their Varsity programs. Both girls played JV as freshmen, demonstrating exceptional promise and potential during their independent travel seasons.
Emma Kanka Emma Kanka PF Howell | 2026 State MI
Emma Kanka Emma Kanka PF Howell | 2026 State MI
Emma Kanka Emma Kanka PF Howell | 2026 State MI (#55) rebounds the ball very well and has the size/strength to hold her position in the paint. She played mostly JV last season and had stretches of complete dominance with her rebounding, put backs, and interior play! She demonstrated confidence and effectiveness playing up with TC Elite at independent travel tournaments this summer. Emma does very well moving into passing lanes for her teammates and has developed a good drop step leading with her left shoulder. She will square her shoulders and finish high with accuracy off of two feet. Emma plays with high energy, effort, and communication. This is a prospect I look forward to seeing compete on the floor this fall and continue to develop her face up game.
Savannah Rice
Savannah Rice
Savannah Rice (#31) is someone who will be making waves in the SVL over the next few years. She has the size and strength to dominate once she develops her inside footwork with the ball. Her face up game is already very good as she can pound with the dribble and knock down shots from high post to beyond the arc. Her touch around the basket when she jumps off two feet for put backs is good, and she has unusual court vision for a post player. She looks to pass, which combined with her size and potential in the post could make her a serious problem for opponents. She runs the court very well and is someone who can give you long, full minutes, which is rare for her size. Savannah is a pure, natural shot blocker and cutters often find out the hard way that when she is in the paint it’s a No Fly Zone! She scans the court on defense seeing the ball and keeping tabs on her responsibility in man, while playing help. Keep your eyes open for this post going into the fall season!
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