2028 Player Rankings Update: Interesting Prospects To Recognize

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are five interesting prospects to know out of the 2028 Class around Iowa. Each one of these individuals will make a case for themselves for a chance to compete at the Varsity level this Winter in their respective High School programs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Thanks for tuning in and enjoy!</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["883552"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66670cda4996a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='883552' first='Braylyn' last='Birmingham'] is going to be a prospect out of the State of Iowa that we could hear about this Winter as it pertains to her production at the Varsity level with her Norwalk High School team if everything goes as planned. Birmingham reminds me a lot of her older sister, who will be a Senior this upcoming year with the Warriors. Braylyn has better than average size at 5'10, she moves well inside and outside of the perimeter, and she has a lot of raw ability on the hardwood. If she progresses like her sister did and she keeps up with her mixture of athletic ability and knowledge of the game, she is going to be a top producer out of this 2028 Class over time. She has put together a nice AAU season so far with the Attack and I hope she can build on that momentum moving forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["880913"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66670cda499d6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='880913' first='Kelli' last='Kalb'] is going to be in the same situation as 98% of others while joining up with the Johnston Dragons and that situation is one of patience. In most Varsity programs, Kalb would start or see the floor as a Freshman on Varsity but I'm sure that will be hindered this Winter because of the prospects that are already in the program with the Dragons, which is nothing to be ashamed of. Sometimes you need to trust the process and I think that could do Kalb wonders in the long run. She is a heck of a player but if she learns how to become more efficient over time, while doing what she does best and expanding her game, by the time she see's the Varsity floor, she could be a big piece to their puzzle as a team. She just needs to stay motivated for the time being and continue to work on her craft.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["883553"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66670cda49a1d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mount Vernon is going to return most of their Varsity team from a year ago and with the addition of some key Freshman, they could make some waves once again during the State Playoff's this upcoming season. One of those impactful Freshman comes to us in the form of [player_tooltip player_id='883553' first='Quinn' last='Pershing']. Pershing is a relentless worker. Someone that shows how dedicated she is, night in and night out with her hardwood and determination to this sport. If she can come in for some spot minutes early on in the season in the right situations, I'm sure her role will grow more as time goes on. It's always tricky to find that balance as a coach early on in a season but if they can figure out their identity, it will be a very successful season for the Mustangs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["880911"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66670cda49a5e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the more interesting prospects out of this 2028 Class comes to us in the form of Forward, [player_tooltip player_id='880911' first='Victoria' last='Burpo']. Burpo will be attending Waukee NW High School for her next four years and I'm sure she is going to be a staple of that program once she gets her feet underneath herself at the Varsity level. She has solid height at 6'0, she is a physical body near the paint, and she is relentless in her pursuit of the basketball on shot attempts and in rebounding situations. I had a chance to see Burpo compete prior to this AAU season and she was really unstoppable against other prospects her age in the paint area. If she can build off of this physical play, while being a sound defender, she is going to find time on the floor with the Wolves in the near future at the very least.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["902348"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66670cda49a9e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I have a feeling that [player_tooltip player_id='902348' first='Whitney' last='Brady'] is going to come in as a Freshman at East Buchanan High School and make a name for herself almost right away. East Buchanan is going to have a somewhat loaded roster this upcoming season. They will have two 2025 prospects that do a majority of their work, with some opportunities for others to step up in big moments. If Brady competes at the level she has been playing with all AAU Season, she is going to see the Varsity floor this Winter and she will be productive. No other way around it. When you take into consideration her team, their competition, and everything in between, this makes a lot of sense. I'm not sure exactly how things will go but if they put together a memorable year, it wouldn't surprise me.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->