2029 Player Rankings Update: The Original Top Five

Our OG Player Rankings Update for the 2029 Class is finally here with out first look at the Top 25 throughout the state. It's still really early and the sample size isn't the biggest but this 2029 Class has some prospects that could be special down the line with the correction guidance over the next few years.    In this article we highlight our first Top Five Rankings out this Class..   Thanks for tuning in and enjoy!    [player_tooltip player_id='1221233' first='Kinley' last='Ford'] starts off this Ranking Update at #1 for the 2029 Class. Ford is lightning in a bottle as a prospect right now. She moves quickly down the court, she has a fast mental capacity to adapt in real time, she is very shifty with her side-to-side movement, and she can also defend her own at a higher rate than most. Ford is the only 2029 prospect out of Nebraska that was taking P4 visits coming into this Winter so it's to no surprise that she is shining at Alma High School. The debate some will make for moving Ford out of this #1 spot in the future is the high school competition level she is competing against but as long as she holds her own on the AAU scene, while being a big producer at Alma, she should prove enough for most.     [player_tooltip player_id='897434' first='Mia' last='McKenzie'] was a name we were familiar with this past Spring but she has really shown her worth over the past few months with her Mustangs program. McKenzie is currently starting and producing some of the best numbers throughout the state overall. When you are looking at a versatile SG/CG with size, pace, and skill - McKenzie stands out. She comes in at 6'0 and from the looks of it, she seems to be growing every few months, making her an even tougher matchup for opposing programs. This is a player to note moving forward. She can actively make things happen out of thin air on both sides of the ball, which should help her continue to stand-out as she progresses over her career.     Another tall and lengthy prospect, that has been getting love from the collegiate level for a while now is [player_tooltip player_id='897256' first='Emerson' last='Johnson'] of Elkhorn North High School. Johnson has the combination of length and smooth operating ability that is noteworthy. She is a little shorter than 6'0 at 5'10 but her size still makes a difference on both offense and defense. She is the type that is a CG that can either Post up with her length with her back to the bucket for a simple finish over the top or she can hit her defender with a counter or two to open up some space for an easier attempt. Defensively, she can guard her position, a position up, or a position down. She can switch to whichever matchup might be needed for the moment while her team gathers and then she can play from there. Johnson is leading her team in PPG and RPG to begin things this Winter for the Storm and I don't think that will let up the rest the year.     To play as a Freshman at Millard West High School is something to note because of how good they are as a program. Someone that is currently seeing time for this group as a 2029 is Grace Lucero-Miner. Lucero-Miner is the definition of a lights out shooter from deep. She would be categorized as a 3-point specialist. She is the type that once she gets over half court, she will need to be marked by opposing teams or else she might have a career night. We will need to see Miner produce consistently when she can on the Varsity floor for the rest of the year, leading into AAU season. If she makes the most of her opportunities, she will light the state up to no surprise.     There is a lot of curiosity with [player_tooltip player_id='1311871' first='Kallyn' last='Kassebaum'] and her current situation at Lincoln Christian so it's hard to judge where she is at compared to this Class but in short, she is a 6'0 PG with touch on the ball, a smart head on her shoulders, and a selflessness as a pass-first player. Right not Kassebaum is playing small, small Varsity minutes so it's tough but she does have some impactful moments when she does see court time. When we get into AAU season, everyone will see her a little bit more and they will see what she is all about as a leader on and off of the ball as well so she just needs to continue to keep on working on her craft. For now though, she rounds out our Top Five at #5.

Our OG Player Rankings Update for the 2029 Class is finally here with out first look at the Top 25 throughout the state. It's still really early and the sample size isn't the biggest but this 2029 Class has some prospects that could be special down the line with the correction guidance over the next few years.