Fall Update: 2026 Small Forwards

The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id='1006212' first='Isabella' last='Wroblewski'] (2026) from Penn High School.   Quarterly, Prep Girls Hoops Indiana releases its updated rankings for each class. Last Thursday, we released our Fall Update for the Class of 2026. There was some slight movement throughout the Top 125, in addition to several new additions to the watch list, as we added 27 prospects to what already existed. Below is a look at the prospects currently listed with the small forward position as their primary position.    .   BREAKOUT CANDIDATES: [player_tooltip player_id='1038866' first='Kalea' last='Bentley'], 2026, 5-9 SF, Lawrence North H.S. - Since last season's State Championship run, the combination of graduation plus transfers has created a great deal of turnover for the Lady Wildcats. Kalea had already played a Varsity role, but now she'll likely be looked upon to provide much more leadership and a bit more scoring as well. With her strength & toughness, coupled with her ability to drive the ball North/South and knock down open perimeter jumpers, she very well could be one of their top scorers this Winter. She should have a lot of small college interest, if she doesn't already.   [player_tooltip player_id='486546' first='Kendall' last='McLaughlin'], 2026, 5-8 SF, Homestead H.S. - As I noted several times, Kendall was outstanding throughout the Spring & Summer grassroots season. At Homestead, she has always blended into a big group of talented 2026s and 2028s, and it has been tough to get consistent minutes. However, I feel like this year she could play a vital role for the Spartans. She brings a certain level of toughness, a competitive motor, plus she's willing to mix it up inside, despite being undersized. On a team that lacks for size, she could earn several minutes in that capacity. Keep an eye on her, for sure!   [player_tooltip player_id='1221123' first='Olivia' last='Simpson'], 2026, 5-10 SF/PG, Southwestern H.S. (Hanover) - Olivia is an extremely long, wiry, fluidly athletic playmaker. In the past, she has been more of a facilitator. But throughout the Summer, she looked stronger and was much more aggressive attacking the basket while looking to score the ball. I think she is an incredibly intriguing wing prospect who can initiate the offense or take dribble-handoffs and turn the corner to score or create for teammates. I think she has tremendous small college value, especially at 5-10, and there are a lot of schools really missing out on her potential to be a better college player.   ON THE RISE: [player_tooltip player_id='832676' first='Audrey' last='Barron'], 2026, 5-8 SF, Shawe Memorial H.S. - Audrey is one of those unfortunate players who has struggled through injuries during her entire high school career, but when healthy this Summer, she was fantastic. She has a solid to strong frame, she takes contact well, and she plays with a quiet toughness. She understands how to use her body to create space, and she gets to the free throw line often. At the same time, she has great touch at all levels, and she has a quick release. She is a perimeter weapon, maybe even a zone-buster, but I feel like she's a much more complete player than that.   [player_tooltip player_id='928914' first='Brinley' last='Clark'], 2026, 5-10 SF, Floyd Central H.S. - Brinley is one of those prospects who is a bit deceiving. She is long & wiry, she plays extremely hard, and she is very tough. She outplays her size and will rebound against posts, but she also has great vision, good ball skill, and plays much quicker and more decisive than she maybe looks around the perimeter. Regardless of a first impression, she has been productive each time I've seen her, and she's one of those kids who will dive teeth first into the bleachers, just to save a ball, regardless of the score. Oh, and she is an accurate shooter as well.   [player_tooltip player_id='492326' first='Khala' last='Williams-Thomas'], 2026, 5-10 SF, Fort Wayne Northrop H.S. - Khala has been on the list since her Freshman year, and she even picked up Division I interest/offers at that time. But she didn't play much during the 2024 Spring or Summer because of track interest, though she returned this Spring. During June was when she began blowing up. She was putting up 30 to 40 points per game, and against good teams, at the IBCA Team Shootout, plus she stood out at the IBCA's Top 100 Showcase. She is a very talented athlete, with speed, quickness, bounce, and stop-on-a-dime ability. Her skill has developed quite a bit too.   NEW TO THE SCENE: [player_tooltip player_id='1357825' first='Zeya' last='Alexander'], 2026, 5-9 SF, South Bend John Adams H.S. - Zeya is somewhat of a hidden gem, but she possesses a great deal of upside for the next level. She is incredibly long, fluidly athletic, and bouncy. She plays hard, she defends extremely well, and she can take on guards and forwards alike defensively. Offensively, she is more of a slasher who can finish in a variety of ways around the basket. As she gets stronger, I think her jumper will be that much more consistent. She was at South Bend Washington for three years but moved to John Adams this season, and she should be one of their best players.   [player_tooltip player_id='1273479' first='Laniah' last='Walkine'], 2026, 5-9 SF, Brownsburg H.S. - There are several kids in Indiana who remain somewhat "hidden", and I feel like Laniah is one of them. She is a very nice, athletic talent, who has been on a roster at Brownsburg with several skillful and athletic wings/forwards. She has as much/more physical talent as any of them, and she has put in the time to continue building her skillset. She strikes me as one of those prospects who, once she gets to her college destination, could develop her skill more over her first year or two, and then everyone is asking where she came from.   [player_tooltip player_id='1006212' first='Isabella' last='Wroblewski'], 2026, 5-9 SF, Penn H.S. - Sure, Penn High School has their star(s) from year to year, but they also do a tremendous job of developing complimentary players who understand their roles and execute them well. Isabella is such a player, and she really understands how to fulfill a niche. She has a fairly strong frame, she plays extremely hard, and she'll do a lot of the "little things". At the same time, she is a very good perimeter shooter when set and in rhythm, but she can also put in on the floor a little, she'll rebound, and she defends with effort as well.

The featured image is of Isabella Wroblewski Isabella Wroblewski 5'9" | SF Penn | 2026 IN (2026) from Penn High School.