Future Stars In The 2028 Rankings

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">The first edition of the 2028 rankings is here, and here are a few future stars to keep an eye on…</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1165199' first='Belle' last='Hill']</strong> (6'1/G|F/'28/Mars Hill Bible School)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: bellehill_2028</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @bellehill_2028</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Ranking: #1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">The question for the #1-ranked player in the 2028 class is how good can she be. She is already one of the most explosive offensive weapons in the state, regardless of class. She is an aggressive and confident scorer, and when she really wants to get to her spots and get a bucket, she's hard to stop. There will be so much written about Belle over the next few years, so I won't exhaust much of the conversation about her game, which is sure to come. Just know her game silences anyone asking whether or not she should be the #1-ranked player in this class.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1169192,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"none","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/01/PGH-Ella-Watts-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-1169192" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Bob Jones HS, Bob Jones Girls Program</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1165388' first='Ella' last='Watts']</strong> (6'1/Wing/' 28/Bob Jones HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: ellaaw_14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @Ellawatts33</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Ranking: #2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Ella is the total package, and many are saying she already has a pro game as a freshman. That puts a lot of pressure on the young and talented prospect, but from what I have seen this year, the talk surrounding her isn't far off. She is a walking mismatch who scores from all levels, makes tough shots, has really good footwork, and knows how to leverage her size and modern skillset. She is a bonafide scorer, and there is a reason she is already holding two SEC offers.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1169193,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"none","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/01/PGH-Avery-Davis-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-1169193" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1165325' first='Avery' last='Davis']&nbsp;</strong>(5'4/CG/'28/Mountain Brook HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: avery_davis.3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @AveryDavis_3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Ranking #4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Avery comes from a family with older brothers who have made and continue to make their mark in Alabama basketball. They are known for their ability to shoot the trey ball, which is no different with Avery. She is emerging as one of the brightest young prospects in girls' basketball. She has a budding IQ and a floor game beyond her years. She is a player to watch over the next few years because, as I have said before, she just might surpass her two brothers as the best baller in the family.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1169194,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"none","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/01/PGH-Kaitlin-Mitchell-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-1169194" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: St. James HS, St. James Girls Program</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1165218' first='Kaitlin' last='Mitchell']</strong> (5'10/SG/'28/Saint James School)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: Kaitlinmitchell_2028</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @Kmitchell_2028</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Ranking: #7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Kaitlin is a versatile wing who scores from all 3-levels. She is crafty off the bounce and strong when attacking and finishing at the rim. Her defensive versatility is seen in her ability to guard on the perimeter and around the rim. Kaitlin is averaging 14.1 ppg and 4.2 rpg, shooting 33% from three.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1169195,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"none","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/01/PGH-Emma-Eastman-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-1169195" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Decatur Heritage Christian Academy, Decatur Heritage Christian Academy Girls Basketball</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1165482' first='Emma' last='Eastman']</strong> (5'5/CG/'28/Decatur Heritage Christian Academy)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @Emmaeastman5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Ranking: #19</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Emma is an amazing young prospect who is a two-way threat with a really good work ethic. Offensively, she has a really good IQ and feel for the game. She scores from all levels, is a good finisher off the bounce, and is a consistent outside shooter from behind the arc. She is a multi-dimensional guard loaded with potential, and her game will continue to grow as she stays in the lab and hone her skills, particularly her ball-handling. Defensively, she is disruptive and will guard anyone 94 feet with intense ball pressure.&nbsp;Many feel she could be one of the best players that has ever come through Decatur Heritage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1169198,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"none","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/01/PGH-Hannah-Bankston-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-1169198" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Pelham HS, Pelham Girls Basketball</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='884279' first='Hannah' last='Bankston']</strong> (6'0/PF|C/'28/Pelham HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: hannahbama28</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Ranking: #23</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Hannah is an interior presence who gets the same sentiments from everyone I talk to when it comes to her, and that is the fact that she is very coachable. She is a developing force inside and already has a really good touch around the rim. She has good hands and balance and absorbs and plays through contact when finishing at the rim. She sprints the floor in transition and does a good job sealing her defender and demanding the ball. She leads the team in rebounds and will continue to be a high-impact player in the coming years.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1169201,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"none","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/01/PGH-McKenzie-Heart-Davis-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-1169201" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Ramsay HS, Ramsay Girls Program</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='903404' first='McKenzie' last='Heart Davis']</strong> (5'10/SG/'28/Ramsay HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: mckenzie_md_davis</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Ranking: #29</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">McKenzie has been solid for the Lady Rams this season as she is averaging 11.7 ppg along with 4.4 rpg. She is on a trajectory where I would not be surprised to see her stock continue to rise and her place in the rankings do the same. She has a really good shot from the perimeter and is a tough cover off the bounce, which makes her a viable threat every trip down the floor. Her defense has improved as the season has progressed, and she will be a key factor in helping the Lady Rams make a deep playoff push.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->