2029 Player Rankings Update: The Debut

Today is the debut of the 2029 Class for the State of Nebraska. In this Update we have 25 prospects listed from all across the state. Each of these prospects has demonstrated over their middle school careers that they are players to know moving into this Spring/Summer AAU season, prior to taking the high school floor this upcoming Winter.   Thanks for tuning in and enjoy!    [player_tooltip player_id='1221233' first='Kinley' last='Ford'] of Alma High School is regarded by several as the #1 overall prospect out of the 2029 Class at this point. Ford, a 5'7 PG, is beyond skilled for her age. If you name it, she can do it and she can understand it already. An ability that most develop over time, if they happen to develop it at all. It's not a guarantee that happens, which speaks even more to how impressive Ford is as a competitor. For her grade level, Ford is the only 2029 playing up in her ETG Midwest [program_tooltip program_id='713325' first='Elite' last=''] 3SSB program at the 15U level and I'm expecting her to be one of their more sound prospects. If she continues to progress over her career as a guard then we are talking about a lock as it pertains to playing at the Division-1 level some day.     Height, physicality, situational awareness, a willingness to sacrifice her body for her fellow teammates, top notch communication with those around her. These are just a few things that come to mind when speaking about [player_tooltip player_id='896729' first='Charlotte' last='Hoffman'] of Millard West. Hoffman, a 5'11 Forward, is going to be an impactful name to know moving into this AAU season. If you aren't familiar with already, this is someone that has been brought up playing the post position so the experience is there, she just needs to do whatever is asked of her by her coaching staff. She might have to work out of the block one game and convert with simple moves. She might have to come out and screen with some pop or rolling action to follow. It really depends on how she is going to be used. At Millard West, they know how to use their post prospects so I'm sure that Hoffman is going to fit right in. I'm not sure she gets a ton of Varsity minutes for her freshman season but if she did, I wouldn't be shocked.     [player_tooltip player_id='896839' first='Grace' last='Lucero Miner'] is a player that I have referred to as, "Jimmer Ferdette", over her middle school career. Miner has a flamethrower on her. If you don't know what that means, it means she can shoot the ball at a very high rate, at any spot over the half-court line. Sounds pretty crazy for a middler schooler but I've seen it multiple times in person and it is extremely impressive first-hand. Miner will join high school as the Top SG for the 2029 Class. She possesses an ability that could carry her to the college level with the right guidance. This is another one that will be going to Millard West so I'm not sure what her exact path will be in the high school ranks but no matter, I expect Miner to put together a career to remember at the high school level following this upcoming Spring/Summer AAU season.     [player_tooltip player_id='899462' first='Leyton' last='Michaelis'] of Skutt Catholic and [program_tooltip program_id='715717' first='Nebraska' last='Supreme'] 14U is another name out of this 2029 Class to watch out for. Michaelis is a CG with a diverse skill-set. She is a recruit that can put it on the floor, getting to her desired spots and she is also pretty thorough next to the basket, when those opportunities present themselves. Another thing that sets Michaelis apart from others is her movement off of the basketball. She doesn't need possession to cut to the hoop, to screen away, or to rebound and she is a willing individual in all of those categories. Skutt is coming off of a State Title but they lose a lot of their production from years past, which will give younger prospects the opportunities to prove themselves early on in their careers. I'm not saying it's a for sure thing but Michaelis might get a chance to step up to that level if she works hard enough over these next seven months.     Another individual that we have heard a good amount about prior to her joining high school is [player_tooltip player_id='897256' first='Emerson' last='Johnson'] of [program_tooltip program_id='712709' first='Nebraska' last='Attack'] UAA. Johnson has long arms, active hands, the ability to play inside-to-out, and a smart head on her shoulders. As a competitor because of her natural reach, Johnson is usually asked to maneuver between the blocks but I think that she will turn into more of a CG over her career. (Unless she continues to grow.) I wouldn't say that she is a natural at one place over another on the court right now and that's okay. If she does stay at this size and she works on her handle, vision, and ability to pass then she is going to be a tough recruit to contain. Like with everyone on this list, we are very, very early in this career but on her trajectory right now, this is someone who could be a Top Five player out of the 2029 Class before you know it.

Today is the debut of the 2029 Class for the State of Nebraska. In this Update we have 25 prospects listed from all across the state. Each of these prospects has demonstrated over their middle school careers that they are players to know moving into this Spring/Summer AAU season, prior to taking the high school floor this upcoming Winter.