2026 rankings update: College offers fuel stock risers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It only takes one scholarship offer to legitimize a player's status as a “D1 player” or “D2 prospect” and the like. At the top of the Prep Girls Hoops 2026 rankings, the influence of college opportunities on the status of prospects is obvious. Just as 30+ scholarship offers for new #3 [player_tooltip player_id='351665' first='Vienna' last='Murray'] of East Ridge have fueled her rise in the rankings, offers and commitments carry substantial weight throughout the rankings. Check out some players whose new ranking reflects the college opportunities coming their way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["502550"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1263242,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-685c7429854e5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The 5'10 senior-to-be from Rochester Mayo ([program_tooltip program_id='712722' first='North' last='Tartan'] Elite) has demonstrated continuous improvement since making her rankings debut at #98 in the summer of 2023. The big, versatile guard can shoot lights out from anywhere, but she brings so much more to the table that that. We love her energy and willingness to be physical. She rises nine places to #47.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["773408"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-685c751704b66"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The gifted guard from Buffalo Lake-Hector-Stewart made her rankings debut in September of 2023 at #109. At the time she was overshadowed by a plethora of strong prospects on her [program_tooltip program_id='712699' first='Minnesota' last='Rise'] AAU team. Over time, the 5'9 Hubin worked her way into the spotlight, put in the work to get better, and never looked back. The Southwest Minnesota State commit moves up seven more places to #50.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["716895"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1263243,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-685c751704bd0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Some players step on the floor and wow you with their ball handling skills and one-on-one prowess. Others, like Mahlen, are more subtle. It was obvious from the first viewing, through, that Lexi had the potential to impact a game in so many different ways. The versatile 5'11 forward has shown ongoing improvement while toiling away out of the spotlight. She's earned a commitment to D2 Minnesota-Crookston.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["947971"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-685c751704c19"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">When we've watched Sauk Centre over the years, most of the attention in the paint has been centered on the now-graduated Tory Jennissen. To be honest, Elly kind of snuck up on us. No more. Coming off an outstanding 18-month stretch, the lengthy 6'2 forward from [program_tooltip program_id='713021' first='West' last='Central United'] has grabbed hold of the spotlight and shined. She earned a commitment to D2 Southwest Minnesota State where her best basketball is likely to materialize.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["829629"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-685c751704c6c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The 6'1 post from Two Rivers is another one whose hard work has taken place in the shadows. We always knew Sophia could play, but after a lengthy interlude between viewings, Amundson's improvement poked us between the eyes a couple of weeks ago. Under Two Rivers coach and former Miss Basketball Nia Hollie, the [program_tooltip program_id='712362' first='Legacy' last='Hoops'] forward is thriving. She holds D1 and D2 opportunities and is playing with a ton of confidence.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["927235"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1263246,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-685c75a98fe98"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Not many new programs make as much of a splash as quickly as Rock Ridge has done. The combined Virginia and Eveleth teams from the Iron Range have excelled in short order thanks in no small part to the Lamppa sisters, a trio of talented guards with pace, poise and passion for the game. College coaches have paid attention to the [program_tooltip program_id='784736' first='High' last='Impact'] AAU athletes and Lexi has committed to D2 Minnesota-Crookston.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["937656"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-685c75a98feef"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The versatile forward/guard from Forest Lake ([program_tooltip program_id='713420' first='Minnesota' last='Diamond Elite']) is the ultimate grinder, a hard-nosed competitor who shows up with her lunch pail every day and puts in the work. She's strong and athletic and utterly relentless. She can also score the basketball. College coaches are gradually figuring out just how much Kendal brings to the table and Damon holds D2 offers as a result.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->