75 Days until Tip-Off: Here are some Underrated Top-75 Players

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That's right, the 2025-26 season is quickly approaching. As far as I can tell, Alpena versus Timbo will be the first game of the season, on October 17th, which is in 75 days from when this was written. With that said, let us take a look at these hoopers ranked inside the top 75, yet ones who are still underrated.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1060816"],"_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-688eddb2f0b9c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">In [player_tooltip player_id='1060816' first='Riley' last='Potts']' first season with Paris, she earned spots on the all-conference and all-state teams. She is coming off a great junior season, and if she finishes her senior year with the type of play I am expecting, she will be a lot higher in her class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Potts is an exceptional shot-blocker, rebounder, and interior finisher. With her 6'2" frame and long arms, there is no way she is letting shots get past her, especially without letting her get a paw on them. The same goes for rebounds. Her measurables make her a phenomenal rebounder, and she showed it against Yellville-Summit last season, recording a double-double of 10 points and 14 boards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the offensive end, Potts has a soft touch around the rim. She is tough to stop once she has positioning down low, as she can shoot over just about anybody. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1060816' first='Riley' last='Potts'] is one of the better centers in the 2026 class and she is a major two-way threat. Paris lost a lot of talent after the 2024-25 season, so the Lady Eagles will have to rely more on their star center.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1060821"],"_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-688eddb2f0bf4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1060821' first='Sadie' last='Espinoza'] has been picking up several offers this summer, with Eastern Oklahoma State and Hesston College reaching out. She is a versatile player, and I imagine she receives even more offers soon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After being a unanimous all-state selection, Espinoza is back with the Lady Bulldogs and ready to take Waldron far in the playoffs. She is an outstanding scorer who can hit shots from inside and out. If there is a good look from three, she will bury it. If she has a lane to the basket she can exploit, she will do so and finish.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Scoring 20 points in a game is not an issue for her, but neither is grabbing numerous rebounds. Against Lavaca in the season opener, she pulled down 15 boards, in addition to her 20 points. Her 5'9" frame gives her that advantage on the glass and with the ball in her hands.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Waldron is going to need the great play of [player_tooltip player_id='1060821' first='Sadie' last='Espinoza'] this season, and I would imagine that she delivers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1196095"],"_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-688eddb2f0c3a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">After an all-conference and all-state season, [player_tooltip player_id='1196095' first='Natalie' last='Babb'] returns as one of the many great players on this Cutter-Morning Star roster. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Babb was a key contributor for the Lady Eagles in 2024-25, helping them start the year with a 23-1 record. She had some notable performances throughout the season, including her 22-point performance against Horatio and a 21-point outing against Mountain Pine. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Babb can score from seemingly all over the court, but she can also make plays on the defensive end. Babb has proven to be a solid defender, using her length to cause the opposition problems along the perimeter, often poking passes away, leading to transition opportunities. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cutter-Morning Star is looking like a favorite to win the 2A title, in part because of [player_tooltip player_id='1196095' first='Natalie' last='Babb']'s fantastic all-around abilities.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1212875"],"_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-688eddb2f0c7a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Harding Academy's [player_tooltip player_id='1212875' first='Kinsley' last='Swindle'] only played in eight games last season, but she made a major impact in limited action. She even got a chance to start in the playoffs for the Lady Wildcats.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Swindle averaged 6.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.8 steals per game as a freshman. Her shooting percentages were not ideal, but she showed a lot of confidence in her outside shooting, nailing 7 triples, almost one a game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Perhaps the best part of Swindle's game is that she is able to make positive plays in every aspect of the game. She can score, she can pass, and she can play great defense. Swindle is also a solid rebounder, especially on the offensive end, where she grabbed 1.1 boards a game last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Based on the trust shown to her late in the season, I would imagine that [player_tooltip player_id='1212875' first='Kinsley' last='Swindle'] receives a lot more playing time and possibly a starting job in 2025-26.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1060818"],"_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-688eddb2f0cb9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1060818' first='Kylei' last='Bailey'] is one of the best bigs in the 2026 class, and certainly not #64 amongst the state's incoming seniors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bailey is a dynamic player inside. Against Lonoke in January, she recorded 14 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 assists. She also had 15 points and 16 rebounds against out-of-state Melrose in November.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rebounding is Bailey's speciality. She boxes out anyone who stands between her and the glass, then using her power to leap and snag the rebound. On the offensive end, she scores a good portion of her points off put backs or from positioning herself well in the post. From there, she will immediately go up with the ball and score through contact.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1060818' first='Kylei' last='Bailey'] is one heck of a player at Forrest City. This Lady Mustang team looks like a legitimate title contender, even with such a young roster. Bailey will have a lot of responsibilities, including being a leader and being a great scorer and rebounder. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These are just a few of the many players in the rankings who are still pretty underrated. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->