Class of 2026: Top Ten

A new week means a new week of rankings updates, and the 2026 class is up next. As always, we'll highlight our top ten and follow that up with our next ten.    The 6'3 Rice Lake wing exploded onto the national scene last summer. You don't see many kids with her athleticism, size, and skill set. The ones you find draw the same attention that Sheplee has drawn from college coaches. She's a three-level scorer and becoming a more aggressive offensive threat as the weeks go by, and she just earned her 1,000th career point last Friday.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMWJCPbdQY0 </div></figure>     A 2024 D1 state champion, Kussow is the most complete offensive player in Wisconsin's 2026 class. The lefty can score from anywhere on the floor, earned the green light in her first high school season, and has quickly established herself as one of the best volume and efficient scorers our state has seen. She's a plus defender and uses her size to her advantage on both ends of the floor. Kussow also possesses a mix of power and athleticism that most kids can't handle defensively without fouling her.        The Shawano native is another excellent talent from the northern part of the state. Nordin has always been a quiet kid. However, she's arguably the most talented player the Bay Conference has produced in a long time and maybe ever. The 6'1 multi-sport athlete may have the best mid-range game in her class, and with her release point and elevation on her jumper, nobody can contest it. She's an extraordinary two-way prospect who will stay home and play her college years at the University of Wisconsin along with Pewaukee native [player_tooltip player_id='536013' first='Giselle' last='Janowski'].      A member of one of the most talented units the state has seen in recent years, Janowski played her best basketball before recently suffering a severe knee injury. Janowski has been among the best perimeter defenders in the state since her debut as a newcomer, and she's only gotten better each year, so much so that I feel confident saying she's the best perimeter defender in the state by a fair margin. The Pirate also had her best offensive year as a junior before it ended abruptly. I, and everyone else in the girl's basketball community in Wisconsin, wish her a quick, smooth, and stress-free recovery, and we can't wait to see her return to the court. Janowski will join [player_tooltip player_id='474774' first='Leah' last='Nordin'] and play her college years at the University of Wisconsin.      A player who's continued to rise in her class is Wauwatosa East's lead guard. [player_tooltip player_id='400915' first='Mikaia' last='Litza'] has always had a way of playing that looks blasé, but that's the way she moves. There's a "West Coast smoothness" to her game that you appreciate more when you see her play, and she's continued to find success against some of the best players that Select 40 has to offer over the summer. She keeps getting better.        After suffering a knee injury over the summer that kept her out for a while, Kettterhagen has returned better than ever in her junior season, and they've needed her at her best. The junior has been the most productive version of herself, and it's been crucial for the Lady Dutch, considering her sisters Riley and Kinsley have both missed time with injuries. She's attacked the basket more than she has in the past and done well finishing through traffic. Ady and her twin sister Riley will continue their careers at UW-Green Bay in the Horizon League.      The Brookfield native is one of the best shot creators in her class. Her ability to get to her shot off the bounce helped the Spartans reach a state title game in her first high school season. Kovacic has been one of the best finishers around the rim and in the mid-range area, and she has multiple ways of getting to her shot. She's been excellent in her first season as the primary scoring option for the Spartans, leading them to an 11-2 start to open the season.      There isn't a talent like Lemorande in her class. She's at her best as a non-ball dominant guard or wing and maybe the best kid I've seen at using screens away from the ball. Lemorande wants to constantly move away from the ball and find open pockets of space to get her shot off, and she doesn't need much room. Watching her operate in Bay Port's offense is aesthetically pleasing when they're rolling.      The top-post player in the 2026 class has missed some time this season, but her talent is undeniable. She's a 6'3 kid who can put the ball in the basket from anywhere on the floor and has an edge to her game. She wants to compete, and we may not see the best of her until she gets to the next level. Once she plays with guards who can get her the ball consistently, she'll be a more productive version of herself.      A knee injury in May took away her 2024-25 season before school let out last summer. The Elkhorn forward is a dynamic kid that you can run offense through. Her ability to pass, create off a dribble or two, and score from all three levels can open up her team's offense. She's a unique talent that can be a challenge to defend, and we hope she's back as soon as possible in the Spring AAU season.

A new week means a new week of rankings updates, and the 2026 class is up next. As always, we'll highlight our top ten and follow that up with our next ten.