2024 rankings update: Who raised their stock?

One of the realities of the Prep Girls Hoops rankings is this: We won't know how accurate our sorting of the Class of 2024 is until at least 2025 or 2026 when the players on the list are into their college careers in a significant way. Sometimes our crystal ball gets it right; other times it doesn't. The one thing we do know is every effort goes into the rankings process as we try to project which high school players are most likely to have success at the collegiate level. This is a ranking of college potential, not current performance.   As we update the 2024 rankings this time around, the Top 25 looks pretty solid. Some 22 of the top 25 prospects have already made college commitments with only #18 [player_tooltip player_id='215944' first='Ava' last='Cossette'] (Maple Grove), #23 [player_tooltip player_id='215959' first='Ava' last='Holman'] (Champlin Park) and #25 [player_tooltip player_id='215968' first='Kendall' last='Barnes'] (Roseville) still available. In fact, there is only one change in the Top 25 as Seton Hall commit [player_tooltip player_id='339129' first='Ja'Kahla' last='Craft'] of St. Michael-Albertville moves up one more spot to #12. Otherwise it's the same today as it was in June.   Elsewhere on the list, however, there has been plenty of movement as players make their college commitments and others take a big step forward due to notable improvement since the last rankings update in June. Here are some highlights of the big stock risers in our fall update.   D1 COMMITS ON THE RISE   Size is crucial when it comes to college basketball. Given that bigs are often late bloomers, and the fact that there is always a demand for players with size, it's not a surprise that there are five big stock risers with height who have committed at the Division 1 level over the past few months.   #31 [player_tooltip player_id='302313' first='Olivia' last='Thostenson'] – 6'3 forward, International Falls (Eastern Illinois)   Olivia returned from a knee injury this summer to join [program_tooltip program_id='712687' first='Minnesota' last='Fury'] 2024 UAA. That was a big step up in the level of competition but Thostenson was able to make the transition. Olivia is huge and mobile, she plays with an edge, and she rebounds hard and consistently. When Thostenson corrals the board it often results in a put-back basket thanks to her ability to elevate and finish with either hand. Olivia will compete in the Ohio Valley Conference. With continued improvement there's no doubt that she can be successful. Thostenson rises 5 spots to #31.   #32 [player_tooltip player_id='302309' first='Karly' last='Jusczak'] – 6'1 forward, Pine City (Idaho)   When Karly originally committed to D2 power Nebraska-Kearney there were many observers who believed that coach Carrie Eighmey got herself a steal by corralling a D1 talent for her team. When Coach Eighmey moved on to the University of Idaho she convinced Jusczak to join her in the D1 Big Sky Conference. Over time Karly has evolved into a quality shooter, great finisher, and strong rebounder with a high IQ. Last winter she averaged 20 points and 12 rebounds per game. This summer with [program_tooltip program_id='712722' first='North' last='Tartan'] EYBL, Jusczak proved she can compete with the best. Karly rises seven positions to #32.   #33 [player_tooltip player_id='215981' first='Kylie' last='Waytashek'] – 6'2 forward, Royalton (Valparaiso)   Kylie was identified early as a Division 1 prospect way back when she played at Pierz in junior high. After moving to Royalton, and having success against high-end AAU opponents, it became clear that she would land at that level. This summer, while playing with the [program_tooltip program_id='712665' first='Metro' last='Stars'], that prediction came to pass as Waytashek committed to Valparaiso of the Missouri Valley Conference. Kylie is versatile. She is mobile enough to defend bigs down low or step out to the perimeter to take care of guards. She is an elite long-distance shooter, can get it done with her back to the basket, and is a top-end rebounder. Kylie rises nine spots to #33.   #34 [player_tooltip player_id='304934' first='Ava' last='Miller'] – 6'2 forward, Rochester Mayo (South Carolina-Upstate)   I think we owe Ava an apology because she has been too low in the rankings for too long. That happens sometimes, unfortunately. We watched her sister Anna Miller blossom late in her high school career into an elite forward who now plays at Drake University. Now we've seen Ava do the same thing. That's why the [program_tooltip program_id='712722' first='North' last='Tartan'] Elite athlete earned a D1 opportunity in Spartanburg, SC, where she'll play in the Big South Conference. Ava averaged 17 and 12 last winter at Mayo. She is a skilled outside shooter who can also take the ball inside and finish with either hand. Her defense is outstanding as Miller blocks shots, forces turnovers and grabs rebounds. Ava now moves up to #34. Better late than never.   #42 [player_tooltip player_id='478913' first='Anna' last='Stromberg'] – 6'3 forward, Legacy Christian Academy (Radford)   When we first watched Anna play a couple of years ago she had a long, long way to go to be considered a high-level college prospect. Fast forward to today and the improvement Stromberg has made is truly remarkable. She has put in a tremendous amount of work to hone her skills in high school and with [program_tooltip program_id='712362' first='Legacy' last='Hoops']. This summer that paid off with a commitment to D1 Radford University in Virginia, also in the Big South Conference. She is a huge physical presence in the paint with the size and length to block shots and outrebound opponents. Her basketball IQ has grown and she can now use her size and strength to outmaneuver opponents and finish consistently. Anna has earned a 35-place jump to #42.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/05/Gabby-Kirchner-scaled.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-433948" /></figure>   5 MORE BIG STOCK RISERS   Much like the Division 1 commits above, the most common factor for the following players is size. With the exception of Anoka guard [player_tooltip player_id='339117' first='Evyn' last='Eppinga'], four of these five athletes have parlayed their natural assets into great opportunities at the collegiate level.   #54 [player_tooltip player_id='350102' first='Gabi' last='Kirchner'] – The 6'3 forward from Two Rivers High School (pictured above) has had an outstanding year. Her skills have grown and so has her level of confidence. This winter she will no doubt benefit from the experience of new coach Nia Hollie, the former Hopkins star who played at Michigan State. Kirchner recently committed to D2 power Minnesota-Duluth. She moves up to #54.   #55 [player_tooltip player_id='520282' first='Olivia' last='Kesti'] – The 6-footer from Spring Lake Park has been a revelation during the past 12 months. One of the biggest breakthrough players over that period of time, the hard-nosed power forward has expanded her game, increased her confidence level, and proven that she can make an impact against all manner of opponents. Over the course of the year, Kesti went from intriguing prospect to scholarship recipient, earning an opportunity at D2 Augustana University in Sioux Falls. She rises to #55.   #77 [player_tooltip player_id='461351' first='Cassidy' last='Pitzl'] – The 5'11 guard from Forest Lake was an offensive force last winter for the Rangers, averaging 17 points and 6 rebounds per game. This summer her offensive effectiveness continued for the [program_tooltip program_id='712689' first='Minnesota' last='Heat'] as she improved her ball handling and ability to withstand defensive pressure. Pitzl is a smooth shooter with a ton of range. She can also score off the bounce. Defensively her length is a weapon. A vocal leader with a great work ethic, Pitzl has committed to Concordia-St. Paul. She rises to #77.   #87 [player_tooltip player_id='339117' first='Evyn' last='Eppinga'] – All the diminutive guard from Anoka does is go, go and go some more. And when she does so, Eppinga goes fast, fast, fast. With [program_tooltip program_id='774819' first='MN' last='P.R.E.P.'] she showed off her speed and quickness, her extended range from distance, and ability to attack and score against bigger, stronger players. More importantly for the next level, Evyn is a strong on-ball defender who never backs down. Eppinga has gradually worked her way up the rankings and now breaks into the Top 100 at #88. We get plenty of questions about Eppinga's college potential and our answer is simple: She's going to kill it!   #88 [player_tooltip player_id='461383' first='Bella' last='DeHaan'] – At Lakeville North Bella operates in the shadows of standouts [player_tooltip player_id='335641' first='Trinity' last='Wilson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='396430' first='Aduke' last='Ojullu']. With [program_tooltip program_id='713420' first='Minnesota' last='Diamond Elite'] on the Prep Girls Hoops Circuit she has found herself in the spotlight many times. That directed a ray of sunshine on her overall development as the 6-footer showed off improved footwork, finishing ability and enhanced shootin plus she plays hard and is a physical presence down low. DeHaan has put in the work to make a gigantic leap from #166 to #88. She committed last week to Gustavus Adolphus.

One of the realities of the Prep Girls Hoops rankings is this: We won't know how accurate our sorting of the Class of 2024 is until at least 2025 or 2026 when the players on the list are into their college careers in a significant way. Sometimes our crystal ball gets it right; other times it doesn't. The one thing we do know is every effort goes into the rankings process as we try to project which high school players are most likely to have success at the collegiate level. This is a ranking of college potential, not current performance.