2026 rankings update: Standout seniors trending upward

For the 60 or so Minnesota seniors who have already made a college commitment – including 20 at the Division 1 level and 27 at D2 – recognition and rankings aren't such a big deal. For dozens more trying to make their way to college basketball, however, a healthy bump in the Prep Girls Hoops Class of 2026 rankings can be just what they need to catch the right coach's attention.   This week marks the beginning of our fall rankings season, a four-week stretch during which we will update the 2026, 2027 and 2028 rankings as well as unveil the Freshman 50 – the first official PGH ranking of the 2029s. First up it's the 2026s where 10 new prospects have been added to the list. That brings the total to 195 ranked prospects. We'll introduce you to the newcomers on Friday. First up, however, are the stock risers – those players who have made a significant jump up the rankings.   AT THE TOP   This is the 10th time we have ranked the 2026s and the names at the top remain the same: #1 [player_tooltip player_id='252381' first='Maddyn' last='Greenway'] of Providence Academy (Kentucky commit) and #1a [player_tooltip player_id='205310' first='Tori' last='Oehrlein'] of Crosby-Ironton (University of Minnesota). Sitting at #3 is [player_tooltip player_id='351665' first='Vienna' last='Murray'] of East Ridge, who is on her final college visits this weekend and next before making a selection from more than 30 D1 offers. Rounding out the top 5 are [player_tooltip player_id='344333' first='Cail' last='Jahnke'] of St. Michael-Albertville (Colorado) and [player_tooltip player_id='471360' first='Mya' last='Moore'] of Orono (Creighton). Murray and [player_tooltip player_id='478362' first='Morgan' last='Korf'] of Pelican Rapids are the only unsigned seniors in the top 25.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/11/Emma-Hanson-scaled-crop-2390x1569-1667300443.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-539605" /></figure>   PROPELLED BY COLLEGE COMMITMENTS   There are a lot of reasons why players move up in the rankings. By the time they are seniors, however, there's nothing that drives a good bump more than announcing an official college commitment. Here are 10 players whose travelled this route to an improved ranking.   #24 [player_tooltip player_id='567377' first='Sadie' last='Hall'] – Guard, Shakopee (Houston Christian)   The 5'9 combo guard led a rebuilding Shakopee squad last winter with 17 points per game and shined this summer with the [program_tooltip program_id='714566' first='Minnesota' last='Stars'] 3SSB. She scores at all three levels, reads defenders well, and can create separation with a smooth step-back. Confident and poised, she never rushes, making good decisions under pressure. A physical defender and cutter, Hall also brings toughness and IQ, doing all the little things that help win basketball games.   #29 [player_tooltip player_id='717663' first='Le'Sedra' last='Williams'] – Forward, Minnetonka (Northern Iowa)   Williams' journey from Alaska to Minnetonka High School had several stops along the way but has culminated in a Division I commitment to Northern Iowa. The 6'2 forward averaged 15.3 points per game last season, including 30 against Rosemount, and played her best basketball with All-Iowa Attack this summer. Deceptively strong and consistent, she dominates around the basket, grabbing rebounds and scoring put-backs. Her length and athleticism alter shots defensively, and she's a tough matchup in the paint. Poised for a big senior season.   #43 [player_tooltip player_id='719637' first='Deborah' last='Ayeni'] – Forward, Anoka (SE Missouri State)   The 6'1 power forward has emerged as one of the most improved players in the class. With a large frame and strong build, she brings relentless energy to the post, excelling on the boards, setting tough screens, and protecting the rim. Offensively she scores on the block, shows touch with a midrange jumper, and uses physicality to her advantage. Her work ethic and nonstop motor make her a formidable presence inside. There's no telling just how great Ayeni can be at the D1 level. It feels like she's just getting started.   #44 [player_tooltip player_id='502550' first='Mia' last='Banks'] – Guard, Rochester Mayo (Bemidji State)   Banks forged her reputation as a three-point shooter, but her game has expanded exponentially. The 5'10 guard entered the rankings at #98 in 2023 and has climbed steadily to #44, thanks to her size, confidence, and continuous improvement. A versatile scorer, she spaces the floor with deep range but also defends physically and plays with grit. Banks brings energy, toughness, and efficiency, making her a well-rounded and reliable contributor.   #62 [player_tooltip player_id='902452' first='Aubrie' last='Klug'] – Guard, Caledonia (Upper Iowa)   Klug is a long, silky shooter who has been a fixture at Caledonia since middle school. Aubrie can light up the scoreboard with her smooth stroke, but also attacks the rim and creates for others. Her basketball IQ and versatility have grown, making her more than just a shooter. Defensively, her length and quickness cause problems, forcing turnovers and pressure. Klug's scoring ability and expanded game give her a high ceiling at Upper Iowa.   #63 [player_tooltip player_id='927227' first='Cairin' last='Berger'] – Guard, Duluth Marshall (UM-Crookston)   Berger is a versatile 5'9 guard who brings size, toughness, and athleticism to the game. After transferring from Esko to Duluth Marshall, Berger's game blossomed alongside longtime friend [player_tooltip player_id='433933' first='Chloe' last='Johnson']. Cairin scores at all levels, with range from three, and competes relentlessly on defense. A high-motor player who fights for loose balls, she impacts games with energy and versatility. Her physical style and ability to adapt to multiple roles will make her a valuable asset at Crookston.   #64 [player_tooltip player_id='927228' first='Amaya' last='Pahl'] – Forward, Lakeville South (MSU-Mankato)   Pahl has steadily elevated her game over the years, but this summer she catapulted to the sky. The result was a commitment to Mankato, one of the true national D2 powers. The Lakeville South forward combines physical inside play with smooth perimeter shooting. At 6'0, she posts up strong, rebounds hard, and defends with energy, while also stretching the floor. With a big body, a big personality, and now a big game, Amaya is a reliable presence on both ends. A popular teammate, she brings toughness and versatility to every matchup.   #72 [player_tooltip player_id='515672' first='Aria' last='Garrett'] – Forward, Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton (MSU-Moorhead)   Garrett first appeared on the Freshman 50 list back in 2022 before dropping off our radar for an extended period of time. Aria caught our attention once again with Sanford Sports and made us remember just how much she has to offer. A multi-sport athlete, she excels as a back-to-the-basket forward, rebounding over opponents and finishing with touch inside. At a DGF program that is very much under he radar, Garrett has dominated with strength and consistency. Her ability to score at the rim, rip away rebounds, and compete with physicality gives her significant upside at Moorhead.   #74 [player_tooltip player_id='773411' first='Olivia' last='Lanari'] – Guard, Maranatha Christian (South Dakota Mines)   Lanari is a long, athletic guard who fills the box score on a consistent basis. She averaged 13 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists, and 8.4 steals last season for a 22-win Maranatha team. Clearly her natural assets are too much for most Mustang opponents! With breakout performances for the [program_tooltip program_id='712700' first='Minnesota' last='Suns'] this summer, she's earned national attention and elevated her profile significantly. A true facilitator and communicator, Lanari creates opportunities with her length, gets downhill in transition, and spaces the floor. Her all-around impact will serve Olivia well in Rapid City.   #99 [player_tooltip player_id='773415' first='Emma' last='Hanson'] – Guard, Waconia (UW-Stout)   Hanson (pictured above) is the ultimate gritty competitor and a frequent member of the Prep Girls Hoops Hard Hat All-Star team. Emma averaged nearly 12 points per game for the rebuilding Wildcats last winter, but her value is not delineated on the scoresheet. Known for her relentless effort, toughness, and willingness to do the dirty work, Hanson impacts games in subtle but essential ways. Her blood, sweat, and energy set the tone, making her a trusted leader and versatile contributor at both ends. UW-Stout is the perfect fit for Emma's game.   HOW THE RANKINGS WORK   We always liked to remind readers how the Prep Girls Hoops ranking process works. The most important thing is this: We rank prospects based on their potential as college basketball players. The rankings are NOT about current performance in high school. This is an important distinction.   What is often more difficult to understand is why players move down the list from one rankings period to the next. This is particularly true for upperclassmen who often plateau and find themselves being “passed" by late bloomers and newcomers. We would never publish an article dedicated to the specific players who moved down in a rankings update. We're here to recognize athletes' achievements and skills in a positive way. But the reality is that many players do drop when we update the rankings. The question is why? The answer lies in the success of other players.   Here is a real-world example of how that works.   In this update, [player_tooltip player_id='502579' first='Stella' last='Triplett'] of Eagan moved from #112 to #117 – a perceived “drop” of five places. Why? It had nothing to do with Stella's game and everything to do with the good fortune of five other players. Two new prospects entered the rankings higher than Triplett with [player_tooltip player_id='1322423' first='Kaliyah' last='Taugasolo-Wilks'] of East Ridge making her debut at #100 and [player_tooltip player_id='1316899' first='Kiana' last='Davis'] of Osseo at #115.   Three others who had been below Stella in the 2026 rankings jumped significantly up the list as a result of their college commitments: [player_tooltip player_id='515672' first='Aria' last='Garrett'] to #72, [player_tooltip player_id='773411' first='Olivia' last='Lanari'] to #74 and [player_tooltip player_id='773415' first='Emma' last='Hanson'] to #99. The success of those five players impacted Triplett's ranking by five places. Will that affect her journey to the next level? Absolutely not! But the changes may help newer players get recognized and seen.   For more information please consult the <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/how-we-rank/">How We Rank</a> option under the rankings tab.

For the 60 or so Minnesota seniors who have already made a college commitment – including 20 at the Division 1 level and 27 at D2 – recognition and rankings aren't such a big deal. For dozens more trying to make their way to college basketball, however, a healthy bump in the Prep Girls Hoops Class of 2026 rankings can be just what they need to catch the right coach's attention.