Class of 2026 rankings: Meet the newcomers

Sophomore year is often a breakthrough season for college basketball prospects. They earn more playing time, get stronger and more physical, develop their skills to a greater degree, and enhance their ability to play with poise under pressure. This week, we've updated our Prep Girls Hoops Class of 2026 prospect rankings, a list of talented sophomores that now includes 140 names. Among those are 16 newcomers who've entered the rankings for the first time. Here's a rundown on the top newcomers and the rest of the fresh faces.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-medium"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/09/67-Taylor-Klauer-scaled.jpg?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-511738" /></figure>   HIGHEST-RANKED NEWCOMER   #72 [player_tooltip player_id='502535' first='Taylor' last='Klauer'] – 5'9 guard, East Ridge   Every player progresses at a different rate. Some burst onto the scene and make it obvious that they're going to be special. Others make incremental improvement week after week, month after month. As time passes, more and more observers come to realize that there's something special happening in a player's development. That's what we've seen watching Taylor. This summer a lot more people are going to notice her on the big stage with the top [program_tooltip program_id='712687' first='Minnesota' last='Fury'] 2026 team, a group loaded with Division 1 prospects who have high aspirations.   “She has the ability to score from all three levels,” said Ashley Ellis-Milan, Klauer's coach at East Ridge High School. “Her basketball IQ helps her both on the offensive and defensive end. Her game is very finesse-oriented which goes along with her calm and cool demeanor.”   We've seen improvement in Taylor's shooting and touch around the basket, which has led to a more confident approach on the court. “She has the ability to pull up off of ball screens now, she has added a floater, and she is a consistent three-point shooter,” said Ellis-Milan. “Her free throw percentage is the highest on the team.”   On the defensive side of things, we've observed a lot of progress. She's more physical now and has improved her angles and lateral quickness. Klauer might have a thin build but she's tough and not afraid to get up in the ball-handler's kitchen. Bottom line: Taylor is a player on the rise. That's why she enters the 2026 rankings at #72, our highest-rated newcomer in the winter update.   NEWCOMERS IN THE TOP 100   #81 [player_tooltip player_id='719637' first='Deborah' last='Ayeni'] – 6'1 forward, Anoka   As our colleague Tony Ragulen reported earlier this year, Deborah suffered a broken kneecap last summer. That set her back a little but you wouldn't know it by watching her play this winter. Ayeni has size and strength, and a world of potential. She is a boarding machine who knows how to vacuum up the rebound and cash in on the put-back. She sets solid screens, blocks shots and steps out to mid-range to knock down jumpers. She also has a motor that will propel her to great heights.   #82 [player_tooltip player_id='862790' first='Natalie' last='Thomforde'] – 5'10 guard, Goodhue   The crafty guard is a great decision maker who knows how to execute plays and make the most of her opportunities. We've always liked Natalie's potential, but with a big growth spurt and ton more time on the court, her game has blown up this winter. With exceptionally long arms, really quick feet, and the kind of hustle and desire you can't teach, Natalie is the latest in a long-line of talented Goodhue guards who get the job done. She can also bomb it from distance.   #86 [player_tooltip player_id='826639' first='Sammie' last='Hachey'] – 5'7 guard, Crosby-Ironton   Sammie has emerged this season as a strong piece for the 21-6 Rangers in support of superstar [player_tooltip player_id='205310' first='Tori' last='Oehrlein'], who draws most of the attention. She has shown rapid improvement throughout the high school campaign, and has impressed every time we've watched. Hachey has length and skill, and her first step is surprisingly quick. She plays hard and rebounds exceptionally well for her size. Despite not playing AAU basketball, Sammie definitely has next-level potential.   THE REST OF THE NEWCOMERS   #102 [player_tooltip player_id='736173' first='Carly' last='Olson'] – 5'9 forward, Farmington   #117 [player_tooltip player_id='677614' first='Parker' last='Haffeman'] – 5'9 forward, Monticello   #130 [player_tooltip player_id='408407' first='Amiyah' last='Rulford'] – 5'8 guard, Robbinsdale Cooper   #131 [player_tooltip player_id='815110' first='Olivia' last='Fynboh'] – 5'9 forward, Jordan   #132 [player_tooltip player_id='502567' first='Jazmyn' last='Hooks'] – 5'8 guard, Eden Prairie   #133 [player_tooltip player_id='829629' first='Sophia' last='Amundson'] – 6'1 forward, Two Rivers   #134 [player_tooltip player_id='502566' first='Siri' last='Konkel'] – 5'4 guard, Spring Grove   #135 [player_tooltip player_id='593516' first='Kenna' last='Henning'] – 5'7 guard, Heritage Christian   #136 [player_tooltip player_id='862791' first='Acelynn' last='Hacker'] – 5'7 guard, Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg   #137 [player_tooltip player_id='782559' first='Kylie' last='Hammel'] – 5'11 forward, Spring Grove   #138 [player_tooltip player_id='782560' first='Lauren' last='Grimm'] – 5'8 guard, Watertown-Mayer   #139 [player_tooltip player_id='782553' first='Amelia' last='Schwendimann'] – 5'10 guard, Orono   #140 [player_tooltip player_id='862814' first='Niah' last='Hunter'] – 5'5 guard, Maple Grove

Sophomore year is often a breakthrough season for college basketball prospects. They earn more playing time, get stronger and more physical, develop their skills to a greater degree, and enhance their ability to play with poise under pressure. This week, we've updated our Prep Girls Hoops Class of 2026 prospect rankings, a list of talented sophomores that now includes 140 names. Among those are 16 newcomers who've entered the rankings for the first time. Here's a rundown on the top newcomers and the rest of the fresh faces.