2028 Player Rankings Update: Top Five

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This most recent Update had several changes with prospects moving all around the Ranking board. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are coming off of a Spring/Sumer AAU season that just ended and now we have had the chance to see what prospects can do for their second year at the Varsity level, as well as for their AAU programs moving forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this piece we highlight the Top Five for the 2028 Class prior to this Winter season. Each player brings a unique talent to the floor and they each possess the ability to compete at the next level if they so choose, if they aren't committed already.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Thanks for tuning in and enjoy!</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["643486"],"_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-68bdc6e5bb9e3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='643486' first='Jhaliana' last='Guy'] will hold our #1 spot for the 2028 Class moving into her Sophomore season at Clinton High School. Guy has had an exciting calendar year throughout 2025. She did very well every time she took the floor on the road with her Mac Irvin Fire program out of Chicago, she had the chance to compete for a spot on the Team USA roster for the 2028 Class in Colorado, as well as being invited to New York by Nike and New Balance to attend some of their special events taking place around the city throughout the Summer. All in all, we will have a chance to see what Guy can really do with her new Clinton squad. If everything goes to plan, that group should have ample success as we continue to move forward. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["883552"],"_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-68bdc6e5bba4e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='883552' first='Braylyn' last='Birmingham'] is going to have a chance to take over the Norwalk program this Winter, showing everyone what she can really do. Birmingham made her mark and her presence known last Winter as a Freshman thourghout the state of Iowa but now it's her time to take complete control of things for the next few years and her coaching staff should have the same idea. This program will return a lot of impressive pieces so they should fair well yet again over the next eight months. As for Birmingham individually - we are talking about a skilled guard with a nice handle, quick athleticism, and someone who can contribute in every facet of the game. Her program will put the ball in her hands when a big play is needed this Winter so we will see first-hand how she will respond to that but for now, she will continue to hold the #2 spot in this Update. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["880913"],"_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-68bdc6e5bbaa9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I'm expecting a break-out season from [player_tooltip player_id='880913' first='Kelli' last='Kalb'] at Johnston High School. If Kalb can demonstrate that she isn't afraid to take action, while also being solid defensively, she should consistently stay on the hardwood for the Dragons at the Varsity level. Last season, Kalb made some impactful plays throughout the Winter. She shined at the State Tournament, ultimately helping them to another 5A State Title. Kalb checks off a lot of boxes that college recruiters like to see. She only possesses a few Division-1 offers at this time but I'd like to think that number will grow over-time. With her natural size and shooting ability a 6'0, this is someone who would impact whichever program she might go to before you know it. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1092007"],"_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-68bdc6e5bbaf0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">There are still a lot of questions to be answered about [player_tooltip player_id='1092007' first='Sadie' last='McCann']. What we do know is that she possesses a ton of promise, while being a hooper that is always ready to make something happen with the ball in her hands. This is just one of those players that doesn't force anything crazy and she always seems to make the right play. She is a prospect with great coordination, feel for the game, with a willingness to adapt in any given moment. Waukee NW is going to shock a lot of programs this Winter with how well they play and McCann is going to have a big part in that. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["880903"],"_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-68bdc6e5bbb32"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='880903' first='Addie' last='McLaughlin'] is going to show the 2A Class what a Division-1 basketball prospect looks like over the next few years with her dominance. McLaughlin is a game-controller. Someone you give the ball too and you can trust that they are going to make things happens as a creator and distributor, always making the right play. When she passes the ball, she always throws a dime where her teammates are going to be, not where they are at during that given moment. In other words, she always leads the others around her with a pass and it usually looks pretty impressive as it shows her knowledge of the game at her position. McLaughlin holds a couple D1 offers but it's only a matter of time until that changes. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->