Catch, Rise, CASH!: Top 3pt threats in class of 2026

The three-point shot has become one of the most sought-after skills in today's game. With the floor spaced wider than ever and the game becoming increasingly positionless, having consistent perimeter shooting is a necessity. After a program secures a point guard and a post player, the next crucial piece is often a reliable shooter. Here are some of the most automatic shooters in the Class of 2026.    [player_tooltip player_id='439459' first='Ashley' last='Knox'] is a high-level recruit, and one of her best attributes is her ability to shoot the three-ball with no hesitation or fear. If she has the space to get her shot off, she will let it fly—and not only does she shoot it, but she also makes it at a high percentage. As a 6-foot scorer, there are very few defenders she can't shoot over. Her added physicality while handling the ball has also improved her ability to create her shot off the dribble, making her a versatile three-level scorer.     [player_tooltip player_id='400785' first='Audrey' last='Beyer'] has been on FIRE since the state playoffs—she has been a scoring machine. There isn't much you can do with a 6-foot three-point assassin; the only way to slow her down is to keep the ball out of her hands entirely. Her consistency in shooting the same way every single time makes her automatic from beyond the arc. She catches the ball in her shooting pocket and has a smooth, fluid form from the catch to the follow-through. This elite shooting ability has caught the attention of college coaches and is one of the reasons she has picked up several Division I offers so far this travel season.     [player_tooltip player_id='216440' first='Kailani' last='Merrell'] is another 6-foot shooter who has no problem finding the bottom of the net from beyond the arc. Kailani has already committed to play her collegiate ball at Siena University, in part because of her ability to catch the ball high and release it even higher, thanks to her 6'3" wingspan. If you don't close out quickly, she needs very little time to get her shot off. She also excels at sprinting to her spots in transition, especially the corner, for quick and easy buckets. She's the kind of player who can spark a 10-0 run in seconds, forcing opposing coaches to burn timeouts just to cool her down.     [player_tooltip player_id='243908' first='Ciara' last='Hayes'] is one of the better and most consistent set shooters in the state—and she does it from the point guard position, which is an added bonus. Not only can she run your system, but she also creates her own scoring opportunities after passing the ball. She has a great feel for spacing, knowing how to relocate to open areas and give her teammates room to draw defenders. She's always in the right spot for a catch-and-shoot three. And she doesn't need to be on the line to be a threat—Ciara is a deep shooter who forces defenses to make tough decisions on drives, as she can knock it down from well beyond the arc anytime she's within passing range.     (cover photo) [player_tooltip player_id='248679' first='Zoe' last='Corjay'] is a shooting machine with a quick release—it doesn't matter if she's on the wing, in the corner, at the top of the key, or well beyond the three-point line—every spot on the floor is her spot. She has one of the best shot rotations and follow-throughs I've seen, which allows her to get her shot off quickly over defenders, whether they're shorter or taller. Zoe has the mentality that if she can get the ball up, it's going in. And if you're on your heels, she's pulling up. She's a confident shooter—and for good reason—because she can absolutely light it up from behind the arc.     [player_tooltip player_id='1215720' first='Alyssa' last='Marino'] is one of those shooters you hate to guard because she's always moving. She doesn't just stand in one spot and wait for the ball—Marino excels at getting open off screens such as elevator screens, down screens, and stagger screens. She also knows how to read the defense in dribble hand-off (DHO) actions, making opponents pay for going under screens. Her ability to use pick-and-roll situations to the same effect—punishing teams for sagging—makes her even more dangerous. What makes it even tougher is that you have to pick her up as soon as she crosses half court, as she has the strength and solid base to knock down shots from deep.     [player_tooltip player_id='470461' first='Kamie' last='Ellis'] isn't just a great three-point shooter—she's one of the most clutch shooters in the state. There have been several games where she's either shot her team back into contention, helped them pull away, or silenced an opposing team's run with a timely bucket. She's what we call a crowd silencer. Just when the opposing fans start to believe they have a shot, Ellis hits a big-time three and shows an expression of pure confidence—because she knew it was going in.   Ellis is the kind of player you want with the ball in her hands when the game is on the line. She thrives in high-pressure, high-energy moments and never shies away from the spotlight. Not only can she shoot the three, but she can do it under stress—an elite and rare skill that sets her apart.

The three-point shot has become one of the most sought-after skills in today's game. With the floor spaced wider than ever and the game becoming increasingly positionless, having consistent perimeter shooting is a necessity. After a program secures a point guard and a post player, the next crucial piece is often a reliable shooter. Here are some of the most automatic shooters in the Class of 2026.