Iowa’s Top Players – Regardless Of Class: #11-15

Throughout the month of October, the state of Iowa received a much needed Player Rankings Update. There was a total of over 60+ players added to the database throughout the four high school classes and those lists are only going to continue to grow. In the article below I wanted to switch it up and try out something new within the Rankings. I am going to list the top #11-15 players in the state, regardless of their grade level. Each one of these players is a college level prospect/commit, that has stood out on multiple stages over their career thus far. 

Thanks for tuning in and enjoy!

#15 – Trishelle Miller Trishelle Miller 5'10" | CG Sioux City East | 2026 State IA – 2026 – PG/SG – Sioux City East High School

Being located on the other side of the state, I don’t always get to see Trishelle Miller Trishelle Miller 5'10" | CG Sioux City East | 2026 State IA and her teams compete too often but from everything I have seen/heard, she is going to continue to grow in her game and at the end of the day, she will be a Division-1 basketball player. Miller is skilled with the ball in her hands. She is very good in general at this sport for her age but when she has the rock in her hands, coming down the floor, she plays with a whole different level of self-confidence. I think that Miller currently has a lot of room to grow, like everyone who is trying to be their best but for right now, she is definitely a top player throughout the state when accounting for her entire play-style. She currently sits with a handful of offers and that’s only going to grow moving forward. I’ll be in attendance this winter to see her Sioux City Easy team compete, a roster that houses several Division-1 players, should be a fun one to watch on any given night.

#14 – Aaliyah Riley Aaliyah Riley 5'7" | PG Johnston | 2024 State IA – 2024 – PG/SG – Johnston High School

Aaliyah Riley Aaliyah Riley 5'7" | PG Johnston | 2024 State IA is a fantastic basketball player and she comes in at #14 on our list. Riley is going to be a player that we highlight a few more times this winter before she laces up and takes the collegiate floor. In last years 5A State Title game, Riley had about half of her teams points by herself. It was one of those games, on the biggest of stages, where you really saw what she could do when it mattered the most. She demonstrated that not only is she skilled and has a promising future in this sport but that she also possesses the “it” factor. Sometimes there are players out there that just have “it”. It can’t be explained but it’s the ability to always show up when it matters the most and I think that’s the case with Riley. Once she gets established and comfortable at the college level, she is going to be able to show everyone what she can really do.

#13 – Vanessa Bickford Vanessa Bickford 5'9" | PG Dallas Center-Grimes | 2024 State IA – 2024 – CG – Dallas Center Grimes High School

When I had the chance to see Vanessa Bickford Vanessa Bickford 5'9" | PG Dallas Center-Grimes | 2024 State IA in the summer, I was impressed. Not only did she display the ability to score at all three levels at a high and consistent rate offensively but she also was getting her others teammates involved and elevating their play. This is an important attribute to have when looking toward the college level. Bickford is already committed but if she wants to play and see the floor consistently with other players of her skill level, she is going to have to show the coaching staff some special ability that she brings to the floor. Other than this, I noticed that Bickford is a beast on defense. She is physical, has quick hands/feet, and is always the hardest worker on the court. I’m excited to see what her DCG Mustangs team can put together this winter. They will be looking to go back to back after winning the 4A Championship last season. If they prepare properly and compete every possession like it’s their last, they will be sitting comfortably come Playoff time.

#12 – Jaeden Pratt Jaeden Pratt 5'10" | CG Ankeny Centennial | 2025 State IA – 2025 – CG – Ankeny Centennial High School

Jaeden Pratt Jaeden Pratt 5'10" | CG Ankeny Centennial | 2025 State IA , an Illinois State Women’s basketball commit, is going to have a chip on her shoulder this winter with Ankeny Centennial High School. Pratt and her Jaguars team will come together one more time in attempts to make it back to the state tourney and to make some noise once they get there. Pratt is one of the more diverse players at the Guard position in this Top 15. She has length, speed, a plethora of skill, extensive knowledge of the game, and a high motor. When she is on the court, she is always producing for her teammates in some sort of way. I think at Illinois State that Pratt can thrive. She has the size to play her natural position at that level and she can also defend that same position. If she is put into a position to learn gradually, she will be a player we hear about out of the state of Illinois in the near future.

#11 – Libby Fandel Libby Fandel 5'11" | SF Cedar Rapids Xavier | 2025 State IA – 2025 – SG – Xavier High School

Libby Fandel Libby Fandel 5'11" | SF Cedar Rapids Xavier | 2025 State IA of Xavier High School is going to be have the spot light all to herself this winter until some of her more well-rounded teammates come back from injury. Fandel is a hooper. A college level talent, who is receiving more and more offers as she gets older. I would say that Fandel is equally impressive on both sides of the floor. She understands what is working and what is on offense, while being lengthy and extremely active on defense. Her best ability is to score efficiently. When she takes a shot, it always has a good chance of going in and she knows to play off of that when it comes to facilitating or moving away from the ball. I’m not sure where Fandel will end up at the end of her high school journey. Whoever gets her at the collegiate level is going to be pleasantly surprised about what Fandel can bring to their team from a productivity standpoint.