Starting a Program? Who You Like From The ’26 Class?
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Out of the 2026 class, if you were starting a team, who would you choose from? Me, that’s a loaded question. The depth or pool of talent in the class is so great to choose from. I’m talking about some…
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Continue ReadingOut of the 2026 class, if you were starting a team, who would you choose from? Me, that’s a loaded question. The depth or pool of talent in the class is so great to choose from. I’m talking about some big-time hoopers who can play on both ends of the floor. You have those who specialize in things, but at the same time, from top to bottom, this class just has all around talent.
Let’s take a look at the PGs. These are some shifty girls who can get to the rim with ease. Strong floor general who can command an offense, while doing what they do best and that is scoring the rock.Natlaya Hodge from Bearden, Meeyah Green Meeyah Green 5'9" | CG Webb-Knoxville | 2026 State TN from Knox Webb, Chelby Jordan Chelby Jordan 5'8" | PG Dyersburg | 2026 State TN fro Dyersburg, and Robynn Thompson Robynn Thompson 5'9" | CG Melrose | 2026 State TN from Melrose lead the class. However, don’t sleep on guards such as the dynamic duo Nya Burns Nya Burns 5'7" | CG Gatlinburg-Pittman | 2026 State TN and Maliyah Glaspar Maliyah Glaspar 5'5" | PG Gatlinburg-Pittman | 2026 State TN from Gatlinburg-Pittman, Michelle Shields Michelle Shields 5'10" | PG Elizabethon | 2026 State TN from Elizabathon, and Kendall Jones Kendall Jones 5'7" | PG Briarcrest | 2026 State TN from Briarcrest. Talk about show stoppers, these girls are great two-way players who compete. Now, go deeper in the class you have Tiara Spencer Tiara Spencer 5'8" | PG Lebanon | 2026 State TN from Lebanon, Merli Routh Merli Routh 5'4" | PG CPA | 2026 State TN from CPA, Nori Jamison Nori Jamison 5'5" | PG Ensworth | 2026 State TN from Ensworth, and Abi Alexander Abi Alexander 5'6" | PG Cannon County | 2026 State TN from Cannon Co. See how hard the list can be. All these girls bring value and we are just talking about the PG spot.
If we look at the shooting guards, the girls who can fire it up at a consistent clip, smh, talk about tough. These girls bring it nightly and are the leading catalyst for their ball clubs. They are depended on to put the ball in the hole. Andrea Flores Andrea Flores 5'10" | SG Daniel Boone | 2026 State TN from David Crockett, AC Shirley from MTCS, Curneshia Taylor Curneshia Taylor 5'10" | CG Memphis Business School | 2026 State TN from MBA, Lily Morrow Lily Morrow 5'11" | SG CPA | 2026 State TN from CPA, Bella Shepherd Bella Shepherd 5'6" | SG Lipscomb-Academy | 2026 State TN from Lipscomb Academy, Natalie Barnes Natalie Barnes 5'7" | SG Coffee Co. | 2026 State TN from Coffee Co., and KJ McNealy KJ McNealy 6'0" | SG Farragut | 2026 State TN from Farragut are some bucket fillers. Double digit scoring threats that scorch the nets. They are the leaders in this class, but just over their shoulders, Ava Jarrett Ava Jarrett 5'6" | PG Brentwood | 2026 State TN from Brentwood is bringing it. Amaya Nash Amaya Nash 5'6" | SG Oakland | 2026 State TN from Oakland is there. Taylor Dolente Taylor Dolente 5'10" | SG Upperman | 2026 State TN from Upperman is on fire. Allie Gillies Allie Gillies 5'8" | SG Cookeville | 2026 State TN plays a big game. Zoey Nicholas Zoey Nicholas 5'9" | SG Pickett Co. | 2026 State TN from Pickett Co. I mean these girls are cold and they too are right there at the top. The list obviously goes on, but I have only mentioned guards and just thinking about it, they are all studs in my opinion.
Let’s take a look at the forwards. This goes for both small and power, the 3 and 4 positions. Kimora Fields Kimora Fields 6'2" | PF Bradley Central | 2026 State TN from Bradley Central Faye Williams Faye Williams 6'3" | PF Bartlett | 2026 State TN from Bartlett, Aaliyah Story Aaliyah Story 6'0" | C David Crockett | 2026 State TN from David Crockett, Natavia Alber Natavia Alber 6'1" | PF Northview Academy | 2026 State TN from Northview Academy, and Lily Espelet from Page lead the way as forwards are mentioned. Big strong girls who can battle down low, will occasionally step out and attack from the wing, but make their money scoring the rock. Not only are they solid offensively, but compete on the defensive end as well. Brilee Price Brilee Price 5'7" | SF Peabody | 2026 State TN from Peabody, Gwen Carroll Gwen Carroll 5'10" | SF Alcoa | 2025 State TN from Alcoa, are just a few names who will spark interest. Girls who get it done from the arc, but can slice through the opposition and attack gaps. Look, the talent is deep and this is just a few names I mentioned that could be a solid foundation for a successful program.
Lastly, the bigs. The girls in the trenches. The center position. Man, these young ladies do work.. Talk about being physical, these girls put their bodies on the line every single time they step on the floor. Katye Madison Bjornstad from PCA, Anna Williams Anna Williams 6'2" | C Brentwood | 2026 State TN from Brentwood, Ava Jones Ava Jones 6'1" | PF Hutchison | 2026 State TN from Hutchison are just a few names that come to mind who duke it out in the paint. Scoring it, defending the rim, they battle the opposition giving it their all. Girls like Kaliah Crawford Kaliah Crawford 6'1" | C Rockvale | 2026 State TN from Rockvale and Cecilie Brandimore Cecilie Brandimore 6'3" | C Franklin | 2026 State TN are right there as well, creeping up the charts, increasing their stock as being a physical presence on the floor. Trust me, there are a lot of girls I didn’t mention, but just the names above plus those I didn’t mention, you see our state is rich with talent.
So there you have it. Who do you like? Where would you start when building a program? See how loaded the actual two-part question is? All I can say is this, the ‘26 class is very talented and deep. From X factors to role players who do their job well, the ‘26 class is very special. They are battle tested and will continue to grow. These kids are young and for the next two years, they will be bringing an exciting brand of basketball throughout the state. Take in the action because a ton of these girls will be hooping at the next level when it’s all said and done.