Nebraska’s Top Players – Regardless Of Class: #21-25

Throughout the month of September, the state of Nebraska received a much needed Player Rankings Update. There was a total of over 200+ players added to the database throughout the four high school Classes and those lists are only going 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 #21-25 Players in the state, regardless of their grade level. Each one of these players is a college level prospect, that has stood out on multiple stages over their career thus far. 

Thanks for tuning in and enjoy!

#25 – McKenna Yates McKenna Yates 5'7" | PG McCool Junction | 2024 State NE – 2024 – PG – McCool Junction High School

One of the top scorers throughout the state is McKenna Yates McKenna Yates 5'7" | PG McCool Junction | 2024 State NE of McCool Junction. Yates is more than just a scorer of the rock but she is at her best when she is attacking the hoop and looking for a bucket or assist. Over the past few seasons at the high school level, Yates has really dominated. She has demonstrated that impressive scoring ability, the talent to create for others and facilitate to them, a nose for the basketball defensively, and great endure throughout a contest. Yates currently sits with a few offers to continue her basketball journey after this winter but she isn’t sure exactly where she will end up as of yet. No matter where it is, they are going a competitor who will leave it all on the court, that’s for sure.

#24 – Jordan Metzler Jordan Metzler 5'7" | SG Wakefield | 2024 State NE – 2024 – SG – Wakefield High School

Jordan Metzler Jordan Metzler 5'7" | SG Wakefield | 2024 State NE is an all around athlete. An individual that plays 3-4 sports year round, has recently committed to the University of Nebraska for Track but that doesn’t mean she isn’t a skilled basketball player. Metzler would be described as a quick and fundamental shooting guard. She is someone that is always trying to create space on the perimeter so that she can get a clean look and let it go from deep. If she does get a clean look and has her balance, it’s usually going to be a made shot. I didn’t see Metzler compete on the high school floor last winter but I did see her this spring and she did more than hold her own. I’m not exactly sure how good her Wakefield team is but if Metzler can put together some consistent play and they can create havoc on defense, they should win some games this winter. As for Metzler’s future, she is going to try to have a fun year to remember on the hardwood and after she gets to put on the red and white in the Big 10. Not too bad if you ask me.

#23 – Avery Yosten Avery Yosten 6'1" | SF Norfolk Catholic | 2024 State NE – 2024 – C – Norfolk Catholic High School

“You can’t teach height.” This is a common phrase you hear in the basketball world on both sides and it’s very much the case for Avery Yosten Avery Yosten 6'1" | SF Norfolk Catholic | 2024 State NE of Norfolk Catholic High School. Yosten stands at 6’3 and is dominate in the lane. For her size she moves really well up and down the floor, while understanding when she should blow past her opponent or wait for a calculated attack. Defensively she is a game changer. Someone a coach can rely on to get stops/blocks in crucial moments around the rim. Whenever someone of the opposing team beats their initial defender, they then have to worry about Yosten in the middle. If not, it’s going to be a block party for the future Augstana Viking (SD). Looking forward, I think her best basketball is yet to come. There is still some raw talent here that hasn’t been tapped into quite yet. If her coaches can unlock that, she is going to have a collegiate career to remember.

#22 – Josilyn Miller Josilyn Miller 5'9" | CG Verdigre Public School | 2024 State NE – 2024 – PG/CG – Verdigre Public High School

Coming off of an injury can sometime be a challenge. Due to no fault of their own, sometimes a player doesn’t come back “right”. It could be for a number of reasons but the point is, in the end when the return, they could be completely different players. Well Josilyn Miller Josilyn Miller 5'9" | CG Verdigre Public School | 2024 State NE got hurt last high school season but has recovered since and looks like she never missed a practice. Miller is a point guard/combo guard mix. Her and her teams are at their best when she has the ball coming down the floor but she also demonstrates the ability to pass and move away from the play. This creates action on both sides of the court and it usually ends up for a successful possession for Miller’s team. She may still be uncommitted but college coaches are starting to take notice and will be watching her closely this season. She has the talent and ability to play at a few different places, at a few different levels. She just needs to decide what she wants in the end. Until then, Miller moves into this winter in our #22 spot.

#21 – Clara Welker Clara Welker 6'0" | CG Millard North | 2026 State NE – 2026 – CG – Millard North High School

The progression of Clara Welker Clara Welker 6'0" | CG Millard North | 2026 State NE over the past few years has been eye-opening. Welker is a promising young talent, that is going to grow into a Division-1 basketball player right in front of our eyes. There isn’t much that the 6’0 – combo guard can’t do. She has length, a quick first step going side to side, athleticism to beat her defender or to recover if she gets beat, and physicality. This past six months on the AAU circuit, Welker demonstrated her full arsenal and got noticed by some college recruiters while doing it. This winter at Millard North when she see’s the floor a bit more, I’m sure she will have some people reaching out to her. She is a college level talent and that’s not going to change anytime soon.