2026 Rankings: Top 5 Introduction

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">The first 2026 rankings for the girls are here. I only dropped the top 25 to get it started, but more will definitely be added by the time I drop the next rankings; but for now, let me introduce you to the top 5…</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>#1-Ranked Player In The 2026 Class</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='371497' first='Jabria' last='Lindsey']</strong> (5'8/CG/2026/Central)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: jabrialindsey_2026</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Jabria has emerged into what most knew about her even when she was in middle school playing varsity basketball, and that is the #1-ranked player in her class in the state. She is one of the top isolation scorers in the state, and when she gets going downhill, she is a nightmare for defenders who often find themselves on their heels. She is an aggressive guard with a skill set to complement her tenacity. She has tremendous burst in the open floor and has the ability to force her way into scoring positions and finish through contact. She easily creates her own scoring opportunities, finds shooters while on the move, and is a very good rebounding guard. With the first PGH rankings of this class dropping, look for more people in the basketball community to make time to go see this talented backcourt prospect and why she is the #1-ranked player in the class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>#2-Ranked Player In The 2026 Class</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='382891' first='Khloe' last='Ford']</strong> (6'4/F/'26/Hoover)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: khloe._f</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">I have watched Khloe more than any other player in the 2026 class, and she has done nothing but improve her all-around game every time I have seen her take the floor. Her coordination, balance, and agility are better. Her low-block scoring prowess has improved because of the abovementioned qualities, and she has become a better rim protector. She has shown a sheer physical ability to just overpower opponents at the rim, and she is showing more ability to finish with skill and touch. She gets deep position and makes herself a threat on every offensive possession, which allows her coaches to run the offense through her. She is an active rebounder and one of the state's best post players, regardless of class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>#3-Ranked Player In The 2026 Class</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='371498' first='Ja'Kyah' last='Smith']</strong> (5'9/CG/'26/Bob Jones)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: jaeee23_</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Ja'Kyah is a backcourt talent who can play on and off the ball and makes a two-way impact with her play. She is a multi-level scorer and can consistently provide double-digit scoring throughout the season. She has really good burst in the open court accompanied with really good court vision and passing skills. She makes good decisions off the bounce, reads the defense well, and understands when to take her attempts or set up her teammates for a better look. Ja'Kyah has an impressive combination as a playmaker and as a scorer, making her a problem for defenders. Defensively, she gives terrific energy, is very active with her hands, has good instincts, and has a great motor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>#4-Ranked Player In The 2026 Class</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='373866' first='Lani' last='Smallwood']&nbsp;</strong>(5'7/CG/2026/Susan Moore HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: Lani_faith_12</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @Lanismallwood12</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Lani is a talented backcourt prospect who can get it done with her offensive repertoire. She is wired to score the ball and does a really good job off the bounce, but she is lethal from behind the arc. She balances her responsibilities of scoring and facilitating and is a key piece to the offense when she is on the floor. She is one of the most efficient scorers in the 2026 class, as she brings a consistent game night in and night out. She has a really good IQ and feel, along with passing ability, and serves as a guard who takes care of the basketball and controls the game as a scorer and a distributor. She is among the smartest and most skilled players in the class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>#5-Ranked Player In The 2026 Class</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='981028' first='Jada' last='Bates']</strong> (5'4/PG/2026/Guntersville)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: jadabates2026</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Jada is a small guard with a highly competitive spirit. She is at her best offensively looking for teammates, as she sees the court well and protects the ball. She handles the ball well, is already low to the ground, and has quickness, which makes it very hard to throw jump defenses or blitzes at her. She is crafty with her takes, and despite being 5'4, she finishes well in traffic amongst the bigs. She can score from the perimeter, which forces defenders to stay honest, making it easier for her to pick apart defenses. She has shown the ability to manipulate the game when she has the ball in her hands, which puts her in control of a lot of things while she is on the floor. She is a tough, hard-nosed point guard who impacts both ends of the floor and is defensively disruptive, making it hard for opposing PGs to initiate their offense.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->