The 2023-24 Breakout Underclassman from All 50 States

Ryleigh is a small lead guard who helped her team reach the championship game of the Class 7A Final Four. She does a good job balancing scoring and facilitating and proved to be another capable ball-handler and creator off the bounce. She has a solid skillset with a lot of promise.

• Contributed by Terry Drake

Sara Steffen is just DIFFERENT. On a young Craig HS roster with only one senior, the young freshman has consistently been their best player all year long. At 5’10, she’s more of a hybrid post right now, but she’s expanding her range. She averaged 13 points a game as a freshman, and the three ball isn’t a part of her game yet. She has extremely soft touch around the rim, and a great feel for getting to either hand to finish. She’s not super tall, but her feel around the rim is incredibly soft. She also only shot 63% from the FT line. For a kid that works as hard as Steffen, I only expect her range to continue to stretch, her FT mark to tick upward, and by the time she’s a senior, we are looking at a 20 point per game scorer.

• Contributed by Jonathan Dycus

Audrey is a multi-dimensional player that excels at quite a bit of things. She’s a very good ballhandler for her size. She’s a mismatch for shorter or taller players. She impacts the game without scoring which is a rare quality.

• Contributed by Cedric Cobb

This kid is a future superstar (if she’s not already). She’s a bit on small side at 5’5, but she plays much bigger. She’s incredibly shifty, has great changes in speed, and is a legit three-level scorer. She is Lakeside HS’s first freshman to be named All-State and All-Conference. She averaged 14.4 points, 3 assists, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals. A stud.

• Contributed by Jonathan Dycus

Kayla had a standout season displaying her exceptional ballhandling abilities and knack for finishing in the key. Averaging 20 points per game she became a real scoring threat. Kayla hates turnovers and really values every possession.

• Contributed by Wendy Waters

Rising up throughout Valor’s 6A title run, Jones has become one of the most efficient shotmakers in the state. Going from 5 games played with 3.8 points per game through her freshman season, the guard has ascended to 14.2 points while contributing 45% of her three point attempts.

• Contributed by Clayton Conover

If you need any more reason for why Rodriguez was chosen for this, look no further than mid-February, where she recorded the first triple-double in ASAI program history. That’s the kind of impact she brings to the basketball court on a day-in, day-out basis. She’s truly one-of-a-kind, a playmaker with the best of them and a game-changer at that. If this is what Rodriguez is able to accomplish and showcase as a sophomore, her senior year is going to be otherworldly.

• Contributed by Alex Murphy

Griffin was only a freshman on the varsity floor this season but that didn’t stop her from putting together an impressive season. She ended the winter averaging 6.7 PPG and 8 RPG, while doing a handful of other positive things for her teammates. Griffin has a lot of raw talent, that she is going to be able to build on over the next three seasons. She has a knack for being in the right place at the right time and she is RELENTLESS on the boards on both sides of the floor. If she continues to work hard in the offseason, she is going to continue to be a problem for her high school opponents over the next three seasons.

• Contributed by Jeremy Brooks

Chandler is 6’1 and runs the floor like she is a fast guard. She fills the lanes nicely in the transition game and knows how to finish. She is a work horse in the paint, especially on the offensive glass. She also has a nice shooting touch from the free throw area.

• Contributed by Keith Hunter

Morgan Landrum is the ultimate glue kid. She was a huge piece of North Paulding’s run the state championship game. She’s incredibly unique in that her handles look and feel like a guard, but her size is like a post. Her outside game has room for improvement, but she’s already a 2nd Team All-Region Tournament member as a freshman. Landrum has the potential to be a STAR!

• Contributed by Jonathan Dycus

Dunn jumped quickly into the HS scene, and proved herself as a double-double machine right out of the gates. The film doesn’t lie—she’s crazy athletic with an incredibly high motor. She’s a 6’0 basketball player—I wouldn’t define her position yet because when you watch her it’s obvious that she’s still figuring out the game. BUT… even though she’s still learning, she’s been dominant at the same time averaging 16 points, 11 rebounds, 2 steals and a block. Her combination of elite size, athleticism, and motor make her a game changer already.

• Contributed by Jonathan Dycus

Mire has the chance to the special because of her unique package of size and skill. As a 5’10 combo guard, she’s nearly unstoppable when she uses her strength to get into the paint. Once she’s in the paint, her skill set allows her to become what her team needs: scorer or facilitator. She averaged 11 points per game and 3 assists (really nice numbers for a ’27). She also is only shooting 24% from three, and only 61% from the FT line… which screams to me that she’s not far from being a dominant player once her percentages rise a bit.

• Contributed by Jonathan Dycus

Dejesus has been a name to know for a while, but this year after losing a couple key pieces in their program, Dalia was able to show how dominate she is at her age, and how strong her potential is. Securing 1000 points at the start of the year, she didn’t slow down for the rest of the season. This kid has a bright future and easily a Top 25 player in her class. Looking forward to seeing how it all translates to AAU this spring and summer.

• Contributed by Byron Xerxes Livsey

Kayla was on a loaded team as a freshman and only managed 8.5 minutes per game, so as a sophomore she increased that to 25.2 minutes and really showed what she could do. As a first-year starter in 2023-2024, she averaged 11.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.9 assists, plus she knocked down 43 3-pointers and shot 79% from the line on one of the toughest schedules in the state. She is a really nice inside-out forward who has nice touch at all three levels.

• Contributed by Brandon Bradley

Maryn Franken has a simple game. She is always in a calm and collected mood, while still staying aggressive on the offensive side of the floor. When you combined her natural height at 6’0, her ability to handle/create, and her dedication – you start to see what the future could hold for Franken. She could become the best prospect in the state of Iowa in her respective class before she graduates high school. The way she rebounds, defends, and thinks situations out – it’s truly next-level already.

• Contributed by Jeremy Brooks

Feldman stormed into the starting rotation after a great summer of play to average 14.1 points, 6 rebounds, 2.8 steals and nearly 2 blocks per game. She shot 31% from behind the arc on 124 attempts and knocked her free throws down at a 71% rate. Feldman has good bounce and range on her perimeter shot and also runs the transition lanes well. She has terrific length. One of the top players in the 2026 class with a ceiling that is not within sight.

• Contributed by Robert Kelly

In a region with one of the best seniors in the state and a nationally-ranked junior, fellow coaches in the region gave Simons the 3rd most votes for All-Region behind only those two upperclassmen. Everyone who watched Simons in the past recognized her potential, but she exceeded all expectations this season. On top of being a versatile defender, she is a tough 3-level scorer who can really fill up a stat sheet. She scored over 700 points and grabbed over 200 rebounds in her freshman season while helping her team to a 22-11 record.

• Contributed by Alyx White

The sophomore guard EXPLODED onto the Louisiana scene this year, and never looked back! Leading her team to state, and winning district MVP as a sophomore, she averaged 19.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.9 steals, and 2.5 assists. If you watch her film, she immediately pops as the best player on the floor. Her ability to control the flow of the game, to score on all three level, to get into the paint at will is almost unparalleled in the LA class of ’26. The Hannah and Alanna Benoit tandem is SO GOOD!

• Contributed by Jonathan Dycus

If just one word could be used to describe Bigelow, it would be shooter. She’s one of the best in the state, bar none, a prolific three-point shooter, both in efficiency and effectiveness. For such a small school as Valley, to have found a diamond in the rough like her who can shoot the lights out of the gym is incredible. She’s got two more years to really show what she can do, and her shooting prowess will only continue to grow, develop and succeed.

• Contributed by Alex Murphy

One of the top scorers in the state. She became a go-to player at a new independent program and averaged over 20 points a game. D1 offers already in hand.

• Contributed by Al Schell

Springfield International Charter has several young, budding stars in the making, but Kibodya-Wilson might be the best of the bunch. Her playmaking ability well exceeds her experience at the high school level, balling out as a seventh-grader. She’s a fantastic shooter, a quick release on her shot and someone who’s able to create space offensively. Kibodya-Wilson is a gamer as well, a hard-nosed talent that’s going to dive for loose balls, run down players on defense and charge through on a fast break offensively.

• Contributed by Alex Murphy

Cecelia is a tenacious rebounder, effective outside shooter, and physical finisher in the paint. She showed her elite athleticism immediately as a freshman on varsity. Cecelia averaged over 14 points and 8 rebounds per game; her sophomore season should be even better.

• Contributed by Evan Bell

Before the 2023-24 high school season began, we hauled out the crystal ball and made some bold predictions about which players were poised for a breakout season. Cail was among our top choices, and she has certainly made us look smart! Jahnke is a top 5 prospect in Minnesota’s class of 2026, an impossibly lengthy guard/wing with height, speed, agility, touch, athleticism and poise. She scores at all three levels and defends all five positions. This year she has emerged as a force and has the high-major offers to prove it.

• Contributed by Grant McGinnis

The 6’3 2026 post exploded onto the scene this year. Her scoring more than doubled from 10 point to 20 points per game; her rebounds jumped from 8.4 to 13.6! She averaged 8.5 offensive rebounds per game (offensive rebounds are game-changers), almost 2 assists, and steal. Plus, her blocks jumped from 3.8 to 5.8. Shamira Morton is a super soph!

• Contributed by Jonathan Dycus

After playing in a reserve role for last year’s Class 2 state champions, the 5’10” forward emerged as one of the top young players in the Mid-Missouri area. She averaged 19 points and 11 rebounds a game in leading the Cardinals to a third-place finish in the state tournament.

• Contributed by Earl Austin

Madison is about as an exciting of a basketball player as you will find in the state of Montana and surrounding areas. She is 5’10” and has elite speed to go along with it. Her 3-point range doesn’t end and she has no fear when it comes down to knocking down big shots for her squad.

• Contributed by Tucker Tornberg

Brown is a game-changer. A prospect that is years above her age level with her ability to score, facilitator, and defend the ball. She demonstrates knowledge of the game at an impressive rate and she is always willing to adapt to situations that may arise in the blink of an eye.

• Contributed by Jeremy Brooks

Aaliah Spaight is the real deal. A prospect that has flash, smooth play, skill with the ball in her hands, and determination whenever she is trying to accomplish. She is good enough to attack off of the dribble or she can catch off of a pass and go to work. She demonstrates a picture perfect jump-shot that usually leads to a clean swish, all while having coordinated and balanced footwork. Spaight is one of the most impressive players I’ve seen from this past season at the high school levels. Her ability is second-to-none and she is sure to demonstrate that every time she laces them up.

• Contributed by Jeremy Brooks

Losing a player the caliber of Elizabeth Lavoie is going to be a tough loss for Pemberton, but next season will have a loaded roster of talent, including forward Brooke Benz. She’s arguably the most exciting talent of the bunch, having herself quite an impressive 2023-24 season. She averaged just over 10 points per game as a sophomore with 12 double-digit scoring performances to her name. Really impressive interior talent with great skills on both sides of the ball and a great feel for the game in the paint.

• Contributed by Alex Murphy

In her first HS season, EAJS led the Indians to a 26-7 record and a Group 4 state title, recording a 13-point, 14-round double-double in the championship game. She was only one of seven freshmen in New Jersey to score at least 400 points this season, as she posted averages of 15.2 ppg for a total of 485. She was an absolute juggernaut all season long: fifty-two 3-pointers, six 20+ point games and a season-best 30 points.

• Contributed by Edwin Arocho

Holy smokes… Harper Dunn is the real deal! The 6’6 freshman post broke all kinds of state and school records in her freshman year. She is now both 1st and 2nd place in single-game rebounds in New Mexico state history: 31 rebounds in one game and 29 in another. She also set the state record for blocks in a season with 191 total. She might be one of the best ‘27s in the country that I’m not seeing on rankings anywhere. The kid has dominated her level, has put up triple doubles and nearly quadruple doubles. She’s a D1 post right now.

• Contributed by Jonathan Dycus

Kingsbury officially crashed the party this season averaging 18 points and 6 steals per game as a freshman for Franklin Central. She can get up and down the floor in transition, facilitates the offense, and uses her vision to create mismatches for her teammates. Kingsbury plays an aggressive style of basketball, attacking the basket with her quickness to create high percentage scoring chances.

• Contributed by Joshua Ebrahim

I will always have a soft spot in my heart for really good point guards… and Tristan Shivers is a GREAT point guard. Leading her team to a 31-1 record, she averaged 7.9 assists — which led North Carolina. The sophomore guard is also a crafty scorer from all three levels as she averaged 14 points a game on mostly in-the-paint twos. Her ability to get into the paint and collapse a defense is simply unparalleled. She was voted District POY as a sophomore.

• Contributed by Jonathan Dycus

Bell averaged 25 ppg, 11 rpg, and 2.5 apg. She has been an All-State player since her 8th grade season. Leelee is a major D1 recruit. She scores from every level and excels at every aspect of the game.

• Contributed by Michael Herrick

Bailey is part of a team who is making another deep run into the tournament. As a sophomore, she has unlimited potential to take her game as high as she wants to. Her basketball sense is at another level and she does a great job making sure her team is involved. Runs the court and has great court vision.

• Contributed by Jim Dabbelt

A player with a huge ceiling, extreme athleticism & fearless guard play, Clara is surely one to keep tabs on! She ran the point with confidence and achieved All-District Honorable Mention in the process. With a season of AAU ahead of her, the rising junior will continue honing her craft and prepare for what may just be an even bigger breakout in Year 3!

• Contributed by Edwin Arocho

Mayenabasi Akpan was sitting on the bench a season ago — only a freshman — as she watched her South Medford team narrowly lose in the state championship game. Now a sophomore, Akpan was an irreplaceable piece in South Medford’s tourney run, ending with them hoisting the championship trophy. Although still working on her offensive aspect of the game, Akpan was by far and away the Panthers’ leading rebounder and just a dominant force in the paint, making her someone they needed in the game as much as possible. In the state tournament these past few days, Akpan had a monster double-double in the opening round with 19 points and 18 rebounds; followed by 8 points and 18 rebounds in the semis; and 6 points, 15 rebounds, and 2 steals for the championship win, first team all-tournament honors, and the tournament rebounding record with 51 total rebounds, breaking Cameron Brink’s 2019 record of 47.

• Contributed by Noelle Mannen

Iyanna easily led the state and the country in scoring with a gaudy 38.6 points per game, including a season high 50. She faced every defense imaginable and still got buckets.

• Contributed by Al Schell

Kiernan is a two-sport star at Rocky Hill, excelling on the basketball court and on the field in field hockey. She played quite the vital role down the stretch for the Mariners, who took home the NEPSAC title for the first time in program history. An aggressive defender and spot-up shooter, she’s one of the best 3-and-D sophomores in the state. Kiernan has a stellar feel for the game and is going to find a way to be involved and make something happen.

• Contributed by Alex Murphy

Hudson is a shot maker from the floor. She really looks to excel in her game from behind the three-point line. Chloe shoots the ball at a good clip and shows good shot selection. She helped the Lady Bearcats get to the Class 5A State championship game this past season.

• Contributed by Bret Swanson

Ruby is a star in the making for the Knights with a basketball IQ off the charts for her age and an impressive skillset. Her offensive game features the ability to knock down perimeter shots as well as create off the dribble for herself and others. She is lightning quick and her decision-making and confidence are equally impressive. She has no fear and isn’t afraid of the big moment, looking primed for a great high school basketball career and beyond.

• Contributed by Tucker Tornberg

Lyde is incredibly athletic and has a knack for slithering through space and getting to the rim. Averaged 8 points and 6 rebounds for a state tournament team as a freshman.

• Contributed by Jonathan Dycus

Understands how to score in the flow as well as take over offensively either from outside or by attacking the basket. Solid defender, also plays the passing lane.

• Contributed by Simmie Colson

Abby was a monster towards the second half of the season. She was given a lot of freedom to play her game and she came through. Christensen was shooting well from beyong the arc and she is crafty inside the paint. She has a lot of upside.

• Contributed by Hector Marquez

Zoey has been one of the best guards in the state, hands down. McNabb’s offensive game includes savvy decision making as a distributor and as a multi-level scorer, choosing her spots wisely and making the basketball play. Add in her agile, rangy, high-IQ defense that causes significant disruption + intuitive perimeter rebounding, and you have the two-way force that is Zoey McNabb. Keep tabs.

• Contributed by Cody Quattrocci

Delainey Duggan had a terrific freshman season for Tuscarora. She was their second leading score at a little over 10 a game. Delainey is a good shooter and competes on both ends. This is a young Tusky squad and she may be the best one.

• Contributed by Neam Baattai

Parcher helped lead the Lions back to the 2A state championship game, even securing the win. She was a big part of the team, despite being a freshman. She has a smooth midrange shot and knows how to utilize her height on opposing players, having a great ability to finish at the rim.

• Contributed by Devin Record

The young freshman PG has got a back of tricks. She’s got a deadly left to right step back jumper, she’s got an entire bag of finishes at the rim, and great court vision. Her scoring is elite for freshman as she was consistently putting up 15-20 points per game in her team’s state tournament run.

• Contributed by Jonathan Dycus

Rowan has been playing next to one of the best players in the country and has learned how to play off her. She missed some time in her first year due to injury, but she’s been outstanding as a sophomore. She’s been a reliable scoring option at all three levels. She knows where she wants to get with the ball in her hands and consistently gets to those spots, and Klesmit has been a big-time player in the postseason each of her first two years as she tries to help Neenah win its first gold ball since 1978.

• Contributed by Brady Peterson

Karly is an electric guard with a high IQ and advanced skillset for her age. She has a smooth, high arcing 3-point shot and can fill it up on the offensive end in a hurry. On defense she does a great job containing the ball and plays with high intensity and energy.

• Contributed by Tucker Tornberg