Guards on the Watch List in 2026

The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id='832666' first='Makaylee' last='Butts'] (2026) of Avon High School and [program_tooltip program_id='713092' first='Indiana' last='Showcase Black'].   It can be very easy to get caught up in focusing on the top players in a specific graduating class, so occasionally I like to take the time to point out a handful of talented ladies who currently find themselves on the watch lists. Below is a look at a few such ladies who have talent, skill, and the ability to help a college program down the road.   .    I felt like Makaylee got better and better as the Spring and Summer wore on. She did a nice job of managing her team, plus she showed more strength getting into the paint and finishing around the basket. I also felt like she did a good job of maturing her game and helping her grassroots team win in whatever role they needed her to fulfill, whether that be as a facilitator, a scorer, or even by changing games at the defensive end of the floor. She should be a nice small college addition somewhere.     Jillian is not a big grassroots participant, so you'll have to check her out with her Tri High team. She is fairly strong, a solid all-around athlete, and she has a really nice mid-range game. She can cut and hit shots, she can drive it and pull up, plus she's physical attacking the basket. She plays with good energy and a competitive spirit, and I think if several Midwestern small colleges took the time to go check her out, they would be impressed. She has also showed an improved touch and handle around the perimeter.     Despite some offers her high school classmates might have, A.J. brings a valuable presence to the Borden lineup. She is strong, tough-nosed, and she plays with a motor. She is a very good perimeter shooter when she can find rhythm, plus she has a solid handle and good court vision. She plays with a nice hoops IQ, and I think she can bring a "culture" type of fit and affect any program she joins for the 2026-2027 season. Meanwhile, she'll help the Lady Braves attempt to repeat as State Champions this year.     It has been a while since I've had the opportunity to see Hunter in action, as she has dealt with her share of injuries, but she is a true playmaker, and I hope she is able to finish her career strong. She is long, wiry, and quick/fast, plus she's really good and disciplined with the ball in her hands. She is shifty in transition and gets defenders off-balance, plus she can slice through the lane in the half-court and force defenses to collapse. I also think she gives good effort defensively and can force turnovers.     Macie is another player on this list who hasn't been a big grassroots participant, but she was great last Winter and helped Norwell to a State Championship behind her knockdown 3-point shooting ability. She is extremely long and wiry, fluidly athletic, and with any space, she can find rhythm and burn defenses from beyond 20-feet. Throughout the course of her Junior year, she improved her ball-handling and even began initiating the offense from time to time, plus she became much more effective defensively.     I feel like Kayla had a good Spring & Summer season and really helped herself draw attention from a few small colleges. She is a really nice athlete with a good combination of speed, quickness, and even a little bounce. She plays hard, she'll make hustle plays, and while she doesn't necessarily have a niche, she does a little of everything pretty well. She can score the ball equally well from all three levels, and she is a feisty, competitive defender. Paired with a talented Freshman PG, they could cause real havoc for opponents.

The featured image is of Makaylee Butts Makaylee Butts 5'3" | PG Avon | 2026 IN (2026) of Avon High School and Indiana Showcase Black .