2028 Rankings Update: Risers and New Additions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Every year, we get more and more talent coming down the pipeline to keep Washington girls' hoops thriving. Here are a few players you might have missed last season who are rising up the ranks this spring and summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Risers</em></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='985980' first='Jayden' last='Fitzgerald'] | 5'6 | PG | Kennedy</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jumping into the top five in this latest update, Fitzgerald is a very smooth scoring guard who already played a big role at Kennedy last season. She has good footwork, dribble combos, and balance to get her shot off from each level. She's very creative with the ball, utilizing fakes, counter moves, and attacking from different spots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1151396' first='Nayvi' last='Robinson'] | 5'8 | CG | Bellevue</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bellevue will be a team to watch in the 3A this winter, and Robinson is one of the reasons why. Ultra quick guard who mixes in shots from different levels and plays with pace all over the floor. Her combo of shot-making and speed makes it hard to sit on her fakes and keep her out of gaps. She's a very aggressive player on both ends and will be a key player on a team everyone should watch out for.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1151387' first='Daisy' last='Walker'] | 5'9 | SF | Redmond</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Walker is a player who can contribute on the glass in a big way and guard multiple positions on the other end. She's a real worker on the offensive glass and has the strength to fight for angles inside and finish through contact at the rim. She is reactive and athletic across multiple areas and should be a sophomore to watch this winter for a talented Redmond squad.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><em>New Names</em></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1263137' first='Ava' last='Engskov'] | 5'6 | PG | Seattle Academy</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Super tough guard who can get to good spots and shows some innate shot-making that should get the Cardinals excited for this winter. She was one of the biggest surprises at the Baden Summer Showcase, displaying a great outside shot as well as quick reactions and instincts on both ends. She scored from each level, made great reads to find teammates in space and shift the defense, and played pretty controlled into gaps.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1263138' first='Gwyneth' last='Niemann'] | 5'9 | SF | Redmond</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Niemann is another promising younger player for the Mustangs who could be in line for a big step forward this winter. She generally makes good decisions with the ball, whether that is identifying driving lanes, feeling space for shots outside, or making the pass to move the ball quickly. She has good activity on the glass and shows she can space the floor at a good rate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->