2026 rankings update: We welcome 10 fresh faces

There are numerous ways for would-be college basketball players to be seen and evaluated by scouts and college coaches. From high school games and open gyms to AAU tournaments and Fall League, it all matters. But there's nothing quite like a Prep Girls Hoops showcase to get yourself on the radar. As we update the class of 2026 rankings this week with 10 new additions, it's notable that all four unranked Minnesota seniors who competed at the Expo on Sept. 21 made it into the rankings: [player_tooltip player_id='1316899' first='Kiana' last='Davis'], [player_tooltip player_id='1048676' first='Alyvia' last='Couchman'], [player_tooltip player_id='886897' first='Lillian' last='Morrisey'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1315304' first='Claire' last='Utes']. When we unveil the new 2027s next week, the opportunity presented by the Expo will be even more obvious. With these 10 fresh faces – five from the Twin Cities metro and five from outstate Minnesota – the total number of ranked 2026 prospects has reached 195. Here's a rundown on the newcomers.    As reported in Tony Ragulen's coverage from the Breakdown Fall League on Sunday, Taugasolo-Wilks has evolved into a true two-way threat. The 5'9 guard pushes pace when needed, makes smart reads, and applies pressure on every possession. Strong and confident, she attacks with purpose and holds her ground defensively. Once fueled mostly by energy, she now adds refined decision-making, mid-range touch, and toughness. She's poised for a strong senior season.     Tje strong and athletic guard averaged 9 points and 5.4 rebounds last year after returning from injury. This year under new Osseo coach Nate Lindholm, look for Kiana to bust loose. She thrives on toughness, leadership, and full-court defense while creating in transition. At the PGH Expo she looked explosive, crafty, and confident, a performance that was an eye-opener for all involved. With JUCO and D3 offers already, her relentless play suggests more opportunities are ahead for the Orioles' leader.     Couchman impresses with her poise, toughness, and maturity. A point guard's point guard, she attacks the rim, buries step-back threes, and consistently makes smart reads. Strong and composed, she always seems to be near the ball and applies steady defensive pressure. Couchman's confidence and businesslike focus really stood out at the PGH Expo, making her one of the most impactful guards there.     Morrissey averaged 14.7 points per game last season thanks to persistence on the glass and strong footwork in the paint. At 6'0, she scores through contact and impacts play in many ways. A skilled rebounder and interior scorer, Morrissey's presence gives Hayfield/Schaeffer Academy a reliable weapon inside. Lillian is an intriguing prospect whose best basketball will come at the next level.     Schmitz was Centennial's second-leading scorer last year, averaging 12.4 points and 3.3 rebounds per game and showing the ability to put up bigger numbers in the future. A smooth three-point shooter with a fast release, Schmitz also contributes steals, blocks, and mid-range buckets. While she is a bit of a tweener in terms of size and position, Schmitz projects well for D3. She should be a focal point for the Cougars this year.     The 6'1 Ruffridge is a physical post with excellent footwork who knows how to be a difference-maker in the paint. She thrives by burying defenders under the rim in transition and punishes mismatches inside. Ruffridge has strong rebounding instincts and consistently carves out space for easy finishes. Addison has shown she can score and her game has grown a lot over the past year or so. St. Olaf may be getting a sleeper.     Runk averaged 8.5 points per game last season on a rebuilding Shakopee team. This year she'll be a captain under new coach Alex Davis and we think Izzy may be ready for a breakout campaign. A smooth and confident shooter, she elevates easily, takes and makes plenty of threes, and uses her length to block shots and force steals on a regular basis. This multi-sport athlete is deceptively quick and very fluid with an ease of movement and the ability to be a disruptive defender.     Voth is back strong after an ACL injury and showed off her trademark fearlessness when we watched this summer. She is an aggressive downhill driver with streaky three-point shooting ability, and plays with high energy from start to finish. A smart defender and scrappy rebounder, Macy avoids mistakes while still applying pressure. With JUCO or D3 potential, Voth's resilience will serve her well long-term.     We've been guilty of underappreciating Thomes' skills and abilities in the past. The 6-footer has always impressed when we've watched – we just haven't been able to watch her enough. We like Allison's length and defensive disruption. Using her wingspan, she forces turnovers and contests shots effectively. She rebounds well and has a smooth mid-range jumper. Playing Class 4A ball at Brainerd, Thomes has proven herself against quality opposition and is more than capable of succeeding at the next level.     The 5'9 forward might be a shiny diamond in the rough. We're about to find out this winter. Her performance at the PGH Expo showed off plenty of energy. She defended hard, battled for rebounds and dove for loose balls. Offensively she flashed quickness, post touches, and a willingness to bang inside. Coachable and responsive, Utes is a quick learner. Don't be surprised if Claire comes up big for the Royals this winter. She's up to the task.    Note: Prep Girls Hoops rankings are based on a player's potential for college basketball, not their current level of play in high school. For more information on the ranking process, selected the <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/how-we-rank/">How We Rank</a> option under the rankings tab.

There are numerous ways for would-be college basketball players to be seen and evaluated by scouts and college coaches. From high school games and open gyms to AAU tournaments and Fall League, it all matters. But there's nothing quite like a Prep Girls Hoops showcase to get yourself on the radar. As we update the class of 2026 rankings this week with 10 new additions, it's notable that all four unranked Minnesota seniors who competed at the Expo on Sept. 21 made it into the rankings: Kiana Davis Kiana Davis 5'6" Osseo | 2026 State MN , Alyvia Couchman Alyvia Couchman 5'6" | PG/SG Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton | 2026 State MN , Lillian Morrisey Lillian Morrisey 6'0" | SF/PF Schaeffer Academy | 2026 State MN and Claire Utes Claire Utes 5'9" | PF/SF Rogers | 2026 State MN . When we unveil the new 2027s next week, the opportunity presented by the Expo will be even more obvious. With these 10 fresh faces – five from the Twin Cities metro and five from outstate Minnesota – the total number of ranked 2026 prospects has reached 195. Here's a rundown on the newcomers.