Class of 2026 rankings: Meet the newcomers
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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,…
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Continue ReadingSophomore 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.
HIGHEST-RANKED NEWCOMER
#72 Taylor Klauer Taylor Klauer 5'9" | CG East Ridge | 2026 State MN – 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 Minnesota 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 Deborah Ayeni Deborah Ayeni 6'1" | C Anoka | 2026 State MN – 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 Natalie Thomforde Natalie Thomforde 5'10" | CG Goodhue | 2026 State MN – 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 Sammie Hachey Sammie Hachey 5'7" | CG Crosby-Ironton | 2026 State MN – 5’7 guard, Crosby-Ironton
Sammie has emerged this season as a strong piece for the 21-6 Rangers in support of superstar Tori Oehrlein Tori Oehrlein 5'10" | CG Crosby-Ironton | 2026 State MN , 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 Carly Olson Carly Olson 5'9" | SF Farmington | 2026 State MN – 5’9 forward, Farmington
#117 Parker Haffeman Parker Haffeman 5'8" | PF Monticello | 2026 State MN – 5’9 forward, Monticello
#130 Amiyah Rulford Amiyah Rulford 5'8" | CG Robbinsdale Cooper | 2026 State MN – 5’8 guard, Robbinsdale Cooper
#131 Olivia Fynboh Olivia Fynboh 5'9" | SF Jordan | 2026 State MN – 5’9 forward, Jordan
#132 Jazmyn Hooks Jazmyn Hooks 5'8" | SG Eden Prairie | 2026 State MN – 5’8 guard, Eden Prairie
#133 Sophia Amundson Sophia Amundson 6'1" | PF Two Rivers | 2026 State MN – 6’1 forward, Two Rivers
#134 Siri Konkel Siri Konkel 5'4" | PG Spring Grove | 2026 State MN – 5’4 guard, Spring Grove
#135 Kenna Henning Kenna Henning 5'7" | SG Heritage Christian Academy | 2026 State MN – 5’7 guard, Heritage Christian
#136 Acelynn Hacker Acelynn Hacker 5'7" | CG Kerkhoven-M-S | 2026 State MN – 5’7 guard, Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg
#137 Kylie Hammel Kylie Hammel 5'10" | SF Spring Grove | 2026 State MN – 5’11 forward, Spring Grove
#138 Lauren Grimm Lauren Grimm 5'8" | SG Watertown-Mayer | 2026 State MN – 5’8 guard, Watertown-Mayer
#139 Amelia Schwendimann Amelia Schwendimann 5'10" | SG Orono | 2026 State MN – 5’10 guard, Orono
#140 Niah Hunter Niah Hunter 5'5" | SG Maranatha Christian Academy | 2026 State MN – 5’5 guard, Maple Grove