2026 AAU Breakout Player of the Year: Vienna Murray

Trust the process and the results will take of themselves. How many times have you heard us say that? It's a well-worn mindset that seems to prove true over and over again. Case in point: [player_tooltip player_id='351665' first='Vienna' last='Murray']. The lengthy guard from [program_tooltip program_id='712687' first='Minnesota' last='Fury'] 2026 UAA has taken a business-like approach to growing her skillset, enhancing her understanding of the game, and working to improve on her deficiencies. This summer the work paid off with an explosion of high-level collegiate offers for the 6'1 guard from East Ridge. We've known from our first look at Vienna several years ago that she was going to be good, but I'm not sure anyone saw it turning out like this. After watching her game hit the stratosphere all summer, it's a no-brainer to select Vienna as our 2026 Prep Girls Hoops Breakout Player of the Year.   When Fury coach Blake Nicols recruited Murray over to his team, he had a pretty good idea what he was getting. Then he got a whole lot more. “We knew she was going to make our team better,” he said. “Her ability to play with her length and skillset. We saw her take it to us for a couple of years (as an opponent) and now seeing her impact from our end like this was a blast. The crazy thing is she has a lot more areas to get better in!”   Murray started her varsity career at Tartan High School in Oakdale where she put up gaudy numbers and had to do absolutely everything. Last year she transferred to East Ridge where coach Ashley Ellis-Milan has helped Murray become a much more effective defender and a stronger player overall while facing tougher competition. Murray has improved in pretty much every area of the game, a sweat-driven process that has shown no signs of abatement even after collecting an unbelievable array of college offers.   Entering the AAU season Murray held six Division 1 offers, all from mid-majors. This summer she has added 16 more with 15 of them being high majors. The list includes the likes of Michigan and Michigan State, Oregon, North Carolina, Colorado, Virginia Tech, Marquette and more.   “As the power offers came in honestly I felt she stayed true to her values,” said Nicols when asked about the impact of Murray's skyrocketing reputation. “The girl loves the game and wants to be great. She has a tremendous faith to her and she didn't let her focus change to anything but just competing to get better.”   Murray operates with a quiet confidence that is supported by an iron will and undeniable work ethic. The result is a package of assets that gives defenders fits. Her engine runs forever. And her passion to defend and rebound is impressive. “She has improved her ability to play the game at her pace,” said Nicols. “She knows to hunt her shot and has the ability to get to the rim with her length. I'm very proud of the passion she has for her craft,” said Nicols. “She has a chance to be one of the best guards in the country.”   RUNNER-UP   [player_tooltip player_id='589275' first='Sophia' last='Anderson'] – [program_tooltip program_id='714566' first='Minnesota' last='Stars'] Nilsen   The Stars Nilsen guard from Maple Grove has seen a major uptick in recruiting interest over the past few months during what has been a stellar AAU season. The potential has been there all along – Sophia is long and athletic, can handle and shoot the ball well, plays incredibly intense defense, and has a motor that never quits. Things are really beginning to click for Sophia, who is now garnering attention from scholarship-level college programs. The AAU State Tournament seemed to be a turning point for Anderson as the 5 '11 guard ignited her team to a comeback win over [program_tooltip program_id='712665' first='Metro' last='Stars'] 3SSB in the second round of play. It was one of the best individual performances we saw all summer. Anderson's increased attention from college coaches, skill development and ability to step up to the plate in big moments are what have earned her runner-up status for Class of 2026 Breakout Player of the Year. As she heads into her senior year, we hope that carries over at Maple Grove this winter.   HONORABLE MENTIONS   [player_tooltip player_id='773408' first='Lily' last='Hubin'] – [program_tooltip program_id='712699' first='Minnesota' last='Rise'] Wolfe   The crafty guard from coach Dan Wolfe's 2026 Rise squad entered the AAU season riding the momentum of her outstanding high school campaign at Buffalo-Lake-Hector-Stewart. The 5'9 junior-to-be averaged a team-high 20.1 points per game and was vital on the Mustangs road to the State Tournament. While Lily doesn't garner as much spotlight with the Rise, she has been just as vital to their success. She was a consistent producer on both ends of the floor, and played with an increased level of skill and confidence all season. Hubin currently holds at least one D2 offer and has piqued the interest of many coaches this summer.   [player_tooltip player_id='502574' first='Haylie' last='Wolbeck'] – [program_tooltip program_id='767539' first='Minnesota' last='Comets'] Berksow   Following her record setting sophomore season at Royalton, Wolbeck continued to find success with the Comets this spring and summer. The lengthy 5'10 point guard has a knack for grabbing rebounds, cherry picking passes for a steal, and finding open teammates to wrack up assists. She's long, athletic, but not overly flashy. Haylie's efforts in the past year have earned her a top 100 spot in the Prep Girls Hoops Class of 2026 rankings, as well as quite a bit of attention from college coaches who have become fans of her game. Wolbeck will likely see an increased role at Royalton this winter, following the graduation of five seniors, including D1 Valparaiso commit Kylie Waytashek.   [player_tooltip player_id='676690' first='Abby' last='Ruda'] – [program_tooltip program_id='712722' first='North' last='Tartan'] Elite   Like many kids who have a big growth spurt at a young age, Ruda has taken some time to develop her skills and coordination. Now heading into the 11th grade, things are coming together for the top 50 prospect from Monticello who suddenly seems to be in everyone's sights. Abby's first season at Tartan was impressive, earning her a near 20-spot leap in the latest rankings update in June, and now an honorable mention for AAU Breakout Player of the Year. We are not the only ones noticing big improvement from the 6'1 power forward. College coaches have been taking notice of Ruda's play, including D2 Augustana, which extended a scholarship offer in July.   PGH scout Ally McGinnis contributed to this article.

Trust the process and the results will take of themselves. How many times have you heard us say that? It's a well-worn mindset that seems to prove true over and over again. Case in point: Vienna Murray Vienna Murray 6'1" | SG East Ridge | 2026 State MN . The lengthy guard from Minnesota Fury 2026 UAA has taken a business-like approach to growing her skillset, enhancing her understanding of the game, and working to improve on her deficiencies. This summer the work paid off with an explosion of high-level collegiate offers for the 6'1 guard from East Ridge. We've known from our first look at Vienna several years ago that she was going to be good, but I'm not sure anyone saw it turning out like this. After watching her game hit the stratosphere all summer, it's a no-brainer to select Vienna as our 2026 Prep Girls Hoops Breakout Player of the Year.