2026 Rankings: The Sadie Gang

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It seems like each year we do the rankings, there's a name that was particularly popular in a given year. This time around, it was Sadie, which we have five of. You may not think it's that crazy, but I'm a fan of stats and it is pretty unique. In 2008, when presumably most or all of these players were born, Emma was the most popular baby name in America, by far. We have three. So, to have five Sadie's, more than any other name, is very unique. Especially when you consider that Sadie ranked No. 76 for girls names in 2008. Maybe it's just a magical basketball name? Whatever it was that happened, we have five great Sadie's in the Sadie Gang and they all should be on a college roster by the time 2026 rolls around.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["846969"],"_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":"Sadie looks like an absolute pain in the butt to play against. I mean that in the best possible way. She debuts at No. 46 due in large part to her tenacity on the defensive end. She gets after it. Big time. She creates constant chaos with her pressure and really makes life miserable for opponents. She forces turnovers with her quick hands, pressure, and high basketball IQ. On the offensive end, she's no slouch either. Her three-point stroke is quick and fluid. Hockersmith is an all-around very good prospect and I don't think that she is done rising up the rankings just yet.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["331869"],"_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":"Sadie plays some high level AAU ball and it has really begun to show in her school ball where she is putting up some big-time point totals. She drives hard to the rim and has a ton of moves to use inside. She has shown the ability to finish from either side of the rim and shoot the three. A player who moved down in the rankings only as a by-product of new players being added, Sadie would have moved up in any other iteration of the rankings. It wouldn't be unheard of for her to move up next time around. She has continued to develop at a high-rate and I don't see that changing from now until graduation in 2026.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["846996"],"_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":"Not many players in the 2026 class already hold offers, but this Sadie does. The times I've seen Linn play, I've come away very impressed at her u0022wants itu0022 factor and apparently it is already jumping out at college coaches too. There are certain things you can teach (which Sadie also has plenty of) and things that you can't. The desire to win every single battle on the court, make every ball yours, win every single individual battle... that isn't taught. That's something that a player is born with. [player_tooltip player_id='846996' first='Sadie' last='Linn'] has that and there's a very good chance it will continue to catapult her up the rankings after making her debut this time around.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["574255"],"_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":"This Sadie is always one of my favorites to watch, both on tape and in person. Another prospect who was an inevitable victim of the addition of over 80 new players to the rankings, Epps is still projected as a D-II prospect. Her hustle and heart are going to take her a long way. She will never be the tallest player on the court, but as I've said in previous write-ups, every team needs team leaders who are those u0022three-and-Du0022 players. That title fits Sadie to a tee. She'll get you a big shot when you need it. She'll also absolutely lock down opposing ball handlers. Just a tremendous prospect and the type of player that every team needs.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":4,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65be7eb6dcb3c"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='572854' first='Sadie' last='Franklin'] | 5-6 CG | Blanchard - </strong> Because <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2024/02/2026-rankings-stockrisers/">I just wrote an evaluation of Sadie</a> a few days ago, I didn't want to do another evaluation just yet. But, it would be rude to not include her with the rest of the Sadie Gang. This time around, I'll mention that our No. 21-ranked Sadie (and No. 1 of the Sadie Gang) has taken unofficial visits to West Texas A&amp;M and New Mexico State already, as a sophomore. Also, if you want this UTEP grad to reach out to the Miner WBB coaches on your behalf, just take a visit to NMSU. That'll get me fired up. Go Miners!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->