2029 Rankings: Bama’s Future Stars

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">The 2029 rankings have been released, and Alabama has a host of young talent who will ultimately shine bright in the state and across the country. Here are the top five players in the new rankings…</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1207417' first='Kristen' last='Winston']</strong> (5'10/CG/'29/Hoover)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: kristen_winston_2029</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @kristenw_2029</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Ranking: #1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Anyone with the slightest knowledge of girls' basketball in Alabama knew that the #1 player in the 2029 class is, hands down, Kristen. She has consistently stood out, has thrived off the bounce, and puts constant pressure on the rim. Her ability to attack downhill, create her own shot, score at all levels, and make decisive plays in space has made her a tough cover. She has a smooth floor game and confidence beyond her years. Look for Hoover to be in Birmingham again, and Kristen is the reason why the Lady Bucs are already favored to win state next year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1207423' first='Morgan' last='Lilly']</strong> (5'7/PG/'29/St. James)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: m_lilly2029</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @MorganL2029</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Ranking: #2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Morgan is a young and dynamic lead guard with a bright future ahead of her. She has proved to be a steady and skilled lead guard, showing the ability to play both on and off the ball effectively. She is a true three-level scorer who can also manage the flow of the offense and get her teammates involved. Morgan has really good footwork, step-backs, hang dribbles, and change-of-pace moves, which makes her a nightmare for defenders in isolation, in transition, and when she makes the decision to just go and get a bucket. She will have St. James back in Birmingham competing for the state championship.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1207426' first='Jordyn' last='McRae']</strong> (5'11/G|F/'29/St. James)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: jordynmcrae_2029</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @JordynMcRae2029</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Ranking: #3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Jordan is one of the most athletic and versatile players in the 2029 rankings. She impacts the stat sheet as well as the game in ways that do not show up in the stats. Her athleticism helps her to be one of the top two-way talents in the class. She has off-the-ball tools, is highly active on the glass, runs in transition, uses her length to contain potential scorers off the bounce and contests shots without fouling. She is a hybrid player who can fulfill numerous roles on the floor.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1039011' first='Sophie' last='Konrad']</strong> (5'7/PG/'29/Good Hope)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: sophie_.konrad2029</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @SoKonrad1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Ranking: #4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Sophie has a budding PG IQ and is a true lead guard who is very instinctive on both ends of the floor. She puts pressure on the rim, finishes through contact and in traffic with confidence, and has the ability to score in transition and in the half-court. She has those scoring tools, but it is her ability to initiate and facilitate the offense while keeping teammates happy and helping them improve that stands out most about her game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1260632' first='Ryleigh' last='Byrd']</strong> (5'10/CG/'29/Monroe County)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: rybyrd29</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Ranking: #5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Ryleigh has positional size and length, which allows her to be a versatile player who impacts the game on both ends and in multiple ways. Offensively, she can space the floor with her ability to knock down the trey ball, score in transition as she runs the floor with purpose, and she can attack off the bounce and finish through contact. Defensively, she uses her length to contest shots. Ryleigh really brings energy on the glass, as she is one of the better rebounders in this class. She is a swingman that can attack and score inside and out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->