2029 AAU Breakout Player of the Year: Kiera Willis

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When we first saw [player_tooltip player_id='939000' first='Kiera' last='Willis'] one year ago as a 7th grader playing for a new independent AAU team, we were impressed – by her skill, her athleticism and her moxie. She was clearly going to be a prospect to watch. Twelve months later she is a whole different deal. After a season of varsity basketball, and a summer playing up on the [program_tooltip program_id='712687' first='Minnesota' last='Fury'] 2028 S40 squad, Willis has clearly arrived. We are pleased to select Kiera as our Prep Girls Hoops 2029 AAU Breakout Player of the Year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pictured above, the 5'8 point guard from Benilde-St. Margaret's is one of the most exciting prospects among Minnesota's incoming freshmen. She's fast, strong, and relentless. And she has that rare presence where everyone watching quickly realizes they are seeing something special. Willis was a consistent scoring threat throughout the summer, averaging 15-20 points per game in nearly every tournament. She can knock down shots from the outside or get to the rim with either hand. Her three-point shot? Not textbook, but as her high school coach Tim Ellefson says, “Being the competitor she is, she finds ways to make them.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What really sets Willis apart is the way she combines finesse with force. She can overpower smaller defenders in the paint or use a slick spin move off the dribble to create space. She plays with poise but attacks with purpose. "She has the strength of a senior combined with impeccable timing and instincts,” says Ellefson. “She might be the best rebounder I've seen at her height.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That strength also shows up on defense. Willis is a physical on-ball defender who moves well laterally and makes it hard for anyone to get to their spots. She wears opponents down with physicality and her motor. “If you want to see a blocked shot go into the stands,” Ellefson laughs, “come watch her play this season.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's also a maturity to how Kiera carries herself. Willis never seems rattled. She plays with a that calm confidence you simply can't teach. Even as a freshman, she's already a floor leader. “I saw her build upon what she was bringing to our high school team the last month of the season,” said Ellefson when asked about Willis' summer. “She got stronger. I think playing a competitive AAU schedule gave her the confidence that she can play at a high level.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's no doubt about that now. As a late addition to the Fury program, Willis ended up on a so-called “second” team this year because that's what was available at the time. Although the teams have yet to be selected for next year, Willis has certainly earned the right to play on the 2029 UAA squad next spring, joining a litany of strong Division 1 prospects. If that happens, she will fit right in. How good can Willis be?  “She has the potential to be Miss Basketball,” said Ellefson. “If she gets consistent footwork in her outside shooting, she'll be playing on ESPN one day.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1278514,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/04/Macie-Henrickson-crop-3598x2363-1753841151.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1278514" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Runner-up:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1057125' first='Macie' last='Henrikson'] <strong>– [program_tooltip program_id='712687' first='Minnesota' last='Fury'] 2029 S40</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Henrikson was electric all summer. The dynamic guard was the alpha for Fury 2029 S40, another late addition who quickly proved she belonged among the program's elite. Henrikson plays with power, polish, and purpose. Her athleticism is elite, and her ability to finish through contact makes her a handful at the rim. But what really makes her special is the brain behind the game. She's a high-IQ player with great court vision, smart reads, and textbook shot mechanics. Whether running the show or playing off the ball, Macie is dangerous. She creates space with savvy footwork, knocks down pull-ups, and attacks with a physical edge. After climbing from the 9th-grade team at Farmington to varsity last season where she made a big impact, her trajectory is clearly headed skyward. The incoming 9th grader will join Lakeville South this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1233623,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/04/Jenille-Arrey_Fury-2029-Blue-crop-3916x2571-1744737502.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1233623" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Honorable Mention:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='994865' first='Jenille' last='Arrey'] <strong>– [program_tooltip program_id='712687' first='Minnesota' last='Fury'] UAA</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A year ago, Arrey was raw but promising. Now she's a different player. The 6'1 forward from East Ridge has taken a big step forward in her development, becoming more balanced, more physical, and far more effective. Arrey's length and bounce make her a natural shot-blocker and rebounder, but it's her improved footwork and confidence that have made her impact undeniable. Janille's touch around the rim has come a long way, and she's now a threat from much farther out, as well. Under East Ridge coach Ashley Ellis-Milan's guidance, Arrey has grown into a more complete player with rising court awareness and a growing skill set. She's a gifted athlete with real upside – and she's only just beginning to realize what she can become. That's the power of a breakout season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->