2025 rankings update: One player’s journey to the top 20

Hopkins senior Lauren Hillesheim Lauren Hillesheim 5'11" | SG Hopkins | 2025 State MN grew up watching some of the greatest players in Minnesota history, with a front row seat to the basketball stylings of Paige Bueckers and company. She watched the likes of Stanford’s Nunu Agara, Amaya Battle and Taylor Woodson of the University of Minnesota, and Florida’s standout freshman Liv McGill. Back then, it was difficult for Lauren to imagine sharing the floor with her idols.

“At that point the lights on the Hopkins court were so bright,” said Hillesheim. “I thought that was the most amazing thing in the world. That’s all I ever dreamed of was playing varsity.” She would sit on the end of the bench with the other JV kids and imagine herself playing like Battle. “It was a dream of mine. She was one of my role models growing up.”

Fortunately for all involved, those dreams have come true. Today, the 5’11 guard/small forward is Hopkins’ leading scorer. She is a vocal leader who will take and make big shots, a steadying presence on the floor for a young squad, and a terrific example for the girls who are coming up behind her. After first entering the Prep Girls Hoops rankings the summer after her freshman year, Hillesheim has risen steadily up the list, going from #106 to #49 one year ago. Last summer she was bumped up to #37. In the fall she rose to #31. And today, as we release the final ranking of the Class of 2025, Hillesheim is the 18th-ranked prospect in Minnesota’s senior class. It has been a remarkable rise.

Asked if she ever imagined herself as a top 20 player, Hillesheim was emphatic in her response: “No! That’s crazy to hear,” she said. “When I was younger, I used to worry too much about what people thought of me and the rankings meant a lot… When I was struggling with my confidence, I was disappointed in myself. I think that (not being ranked) honestly pushed me to work harder and do more and get in the gym. That has been effective. It feels great. My younger self is definitely proud right now.”

Becoming a leader

Like many young players, Hillesheim had difficulty mustering up enough self-belief to achieve her potential. Coming up through the Hopkins youth program, making the top team was never a sure thing for Lauren, but she found a way. She certainly didn’t see herself as a future star. Not many others did, either. But as she watched the Hopkins greats perform, Hillesheim gradually worked her way onto the varsity roster. As a freshman she appeared in four games. She played 14 games as a sophomore, averaging 2.9 points per game.

Last year, following the graduation of Agara and Woodson, Lauren’s playing time soared. She averaged 12.1 ppg, third-best on the team. This season, Lauren leads the 18-4 Royals at over 16 ppg. “I struggled with my confidence when I was younger so I’m proud that I’ve come this far,” she said. “I owe a lot to my support system, my coaches and parents and trainers pushing me.”

Hillesheim has tried to incorporate the attributes of her much-heralded predecessors. She emulates Amaya’s passing and court vision, Taylor’s smooth mid-range game, Nunu’s strength and power, and Liv’s leadership ability. Hillesheim heaps credit on McGill, who helped her in many different ways.

“Last year Liv talked me through a lot. She taught me a lot. She was always there for me. Her actions have led to my success this year,” said Hillesheim, whose improved play speaks volumes about how important that mentorship was. “I think about this a lot. After Liv graduated and Tatum (Woodson) went down, I took my role as a leader very seriously. That’s what they needed most from me to find success… I was a captain last year but I wasn’t as vocal as I am now. That’s something I’ve had to kind of force myself to do and I’ve become more comfortable with it now.”

Hillesheim is shooting the ball better. She’s making plays and coming up big in the biggest moments. She has become what all great players become – a leader who makes an enormous difference for her team. “We’ve dealt with a lot of adversity this year but we’ve found that we really thrive together and find success with each other,” she said. “I think that we’ve all been able to identify our strengths. People have needed to fill big shoes but we’ve found ways to make each other better. I personally love seeing success within my teammates.”

A D1 dream come true

Not surprisingly given her limited role, it took time for colleges to become interested in Hillesheim’s services. There was some Division 2 interest but nothing from D1 schools. That changed when she moved to the top Minnesota Fury team last summer where she played with the likes of Jordan Ode Jordan Ode 6'0" | CG Maple Grove | 2025 State MN (Michigan State), Addison Mack Addison Mack 5'9" | PG Minnehaha Academy | 2025 State MN (Maryland) and Sophie Hawkinson Sophie Hawkinson 5'8" | CG Wayzata | 2025 State MN (North Dakota State). “I’m really grateful to have gotten the opportunity in the first place,” she said of her time with the Fury. “It was such a fun experience. They are such great people. It really opened up the college opportunities. It was life-changing.”

Now one of 23 players in the class of 2025 who is going D1, Hillesheim ended up committing to coach Mallory Bernhard and the University of North Dakota. Hillesheim’s ties run deep in Grand Forks and she is thrilled with the opportunity to be a Fighting Hawk. “UND has been my dream school since I was little,” she explained. “My dad played football there. I had visited there. I had UND gear. So when they started talking to me I was super-excited.”

We are just as excited to see Lauren’s success as one of the biggest stock risers in the senior class. Her journey serves as an excellent example for younger players toiling away in the shadows, as well as a reminder that every player’s journey to college basketball is unique. On Wednesday, we’ll tell you about some of the other big stock risers. Prep Girls Hoops subscribers can see all 220 ranked seniors on our 2025 rankings page.