Players who are ready for a breakout year in 2026

Earlier in the week we took a look back at 2025, highlighting a handful of players who deserved a bit more hype. Now, we look forward to the year ahead. With the high school season racing by and the State Tournament and upcoming AAU season quickly approaching, there are countless opportunities for young players to step into the limelight and make a big impact. Here are 5 prospects we think could have a breakout year in 2026.    [player_tooltip player_id='989050' first='Jenna' last='Nelson'] – 2028 Guard, Chaska   The Chaska sophomore (pictured above) has made a strong impression on our scouts numerous times since the fall and is looking ready to take her game to the next level. Standing at 5'10 with a long, wiry frame, Nelson plays the game with a fluid athleticism that is a joy to watch. She's quick, has an explosive stride, and brings a high level of energy to both ends of the floor. On the other end Jenna is an active, bouncy, and vocal defender who consistently creates havoc on the perimeter. The Hawks guard doesn't overcomplicate things; using her well-developed handles, smooth outside shot, and soft touch at the rim, Nelson is able to get open looks from anywhere on the court.   [player_tooltip player_id='896571' first='Parker' last='Vossen'] – 2028 Guard/Wing, Lakeville North   Just as we predicted back in July, Vossen has made a consistent impact for Lakeville North in her sophomore campaign. Her 6'0 stature, as well as length and athleticism, seamlessly fit into the Panthers lineup. Same goes for her aggressive style of play and endless work ethic. While Parker may not put up the same scoring numbers or draw as much defensive attention as some of her teammates, she leaves her fingerprints all over the game. Whether blocking shots and creating deflections on defense, or spacing the floor and pushing the pace in transition, the sophomore wing always finds ways to affect the game. As she continues to raise her game even further, we hope to see Vossen's recruitment ramp up this summer.   [player_tooltip player_id='1279505' first='Teagan' last='Jacobs'] – 2029 Guard/Wing, Cretin-Derham Hall   While most of the eyes watching Cretin-Derham Hall at last year's high school State Tournament were on [player_tooltip player_id='897060' first='Madeleine' last='Hamiel'] and [player_tooltip player_id='939003' first='Isabella' last='Deleeuw'], both top 10 prospects in the class of 2029, we saw flashes of greatness from Jacobs all throughout her 8h grade season. Now a year older and wiser, Teagan's trajectory is only up from here. The 5'10 guard is a natural athlete with tremendous instincts on the court. She's creative offensively, highly impactful on the defensive end, and, most importantly, she plays incredibly hard every time she steps on the court. As we approach the postseason, Jacobs has the potential to make a big impact for the Raiders on the road back to State.   [player_tooltip player_id='1314238' first='Kylie' last='Englund'] – 2029 Guard/Wing, Wayzata   We got our first extended look at Englund's game at the Prep Girls Hoops Freshman Showcase back in September where she impressed us with her length, versatility, and natural athleticism. Now halfway through the high school season, the North Dakota transplant has gradually been getting her feet wet on varsity in Wayzata's loaded rotation. At 5'10, Kylie is long and lean with an explosive stride. She uses her length to be a disruptor on the defensive end, and her outside shot is gradually improving. With more opportunities for exposure here in the Twin Cities, we won't be surprised if the Trojans freshman makes a name for herself on the AAU circuit this summer.   [player_tooltip player_id='1354331' first='Zion' last='Nnaji'] – 2030 Guard, Shakopee   Nnaji's performance was one of the highlights of the Jr. All Star Fall Exclusive last October. Her quickness, ability to elevate over defenders, and explosive stride were fun to see. Combine Zion's pure athleticism with a 6'1 frame and a well-rounded, versatile skillset and it becomes easy to see why we think 2026 will be a big year for the 8th grader from Shakopee. Nnaji is a natural scorer with a soft touch around the rim and a developing midrange shot. Though she excels as a rim runner and transition scorer, the Sabers forward is a skilled passer with a strong sense of court vision as well. This is a player with D1 potential written all over.

Earlier in the week we took a look back at 2025, highlighting a handful of players who deserved a bit more hype. Now, we look forward to the year ahead. With the high school season racing by and the State Tournament and upcoming AAU season quickly approaching, there are countless opportunities for young players to step into the limelight and make a big impact. Here are 5 prospects we think could have a breakout year in 2026.