Who are the top unsigned seniors in Minnesota?

College basketball isn't for everyone. At the Division 1 level, it's basically a full-time job and a challenging one at that. D2 is much the same, but with summers off. Even D3 can be a grind if you play in a successful program. Still, we are always taken aback when we see talented athletes hang it up when their high school career is over, opting out of playing at the next level even when there are nice opportunities to do so.   In preparation for this article, we've been seeking recruiting status updates over the past couple of weeks on some of the top unsigned seniors in the state. Many players are forthcoming about their current options; others less so. The biggest surprise this year is just how many prominent players are not planning to play after high school. Our information comes from a variety of sources, including high school coaches, parents and players themselves. These are four of the more prominent players whose basketball careers will apparently come to an end in March:   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='455051' first='Vivian' last='Carter'] – The 26th-ranked senior from of Holy Angels has been an elite performer from a very young age. Certainly, Carter has had her ups and downs. But as her ranking will attest we've been bullish on Viv's chances of success at the next level, as either a D1 or D2 competitor.</li>   <li>[player_tooltip player_id='515688' first='Lexie' last='Mathews'] – The lengthy wing from Eastview is ranked #35 in the Prep Girls Hoops Class of 2026. She has been a mainstay in spring and summer ball with Minnesota [program_tooltip program_id='712665' first='Metro' last='Stars'] and Lexie is a key piece for the 16-5 Lightning In a senior-heavy lineup.</li>   <li>[player_tooltip player_id='567387' first='Mirabel' last='Wismer'] – The lanky forward from Benilde-St. Margaret's is a top-40 prospect and one of the sneaky-great performers in the state. Mira isn't flashy, and on a roster loaded with Division 1 prospects her work is underappreciated, but Wismer's fingerprints are all over the Red Knights' state championships.</li>   <li>[player_tooltip player_id='862790' first='Natalie' last='Thomforde'] – At a lengthy 5'11 with excellent skills, the top-60 senior from Goodhue is a player with outstanding next-level potential, perhaps even with a scholarship involved. She's filled in admirably following the graduation of Liz Gadient and would do well beyond high school, too.</li> </ul>   With Carter, Mathews, Wismer and Thomforde off the table, who are the best remaining unsigned seniors in MInnesota? In our first draft of this article last week, we included 57th-rated [player_tooltip player_id='717664' first='Izzy' last='Guetzlaff'] of Red Wing, a versatile forward who can fill up the basket. That was before she announced her verbal commitment to Division 2 Northern State of Aberdeen, South Dakota.   Among those remaining, there are a couple of common themes. The first is injuries of the long-term variety. The second are late bloomers whose moment has arrived.   GUARDS/WINGS   [player_tooltip player_id='478363' first='Maddy' last='Blaylark'] – DeLaSalle   After more than a year on the sidelines following ACL surgery, Blaylark is back on the floor for the Islanders and her impact has been palpable. Maddy is ranked #31 in the Class of 2026, a status she earned through superior play over a long period of time. She was a Division 1 candidate before she got hurt, and someone really should take a chance on her as a late signing. The former [program_tooltip program_id='712687' first='Minnesota' last='Fury'] guard is a quality player with a mature approach and excellent leadership ability.   [player_tooltip player_id='478365' first='Audrey' last='Schmidtke'] – Lakeville South   Audrey has options at the Division 1 and 2 level, and possibilities in other sports, as well. As a basketball player the 5'11 guard has much to offer, including a big motor, a willingness to bang and crash with anyone, and the type of strength and athleticism that cannot be taught. Audrey's game is more power than finesse, more horsepower than highlight reels. The 36th-ranked senior can be a significant difference-maker in the right situation.   [player_tooltip player_id='502543' first='Lauren' last='Beyer'] – Alexandria   Like Blaylark, Beyer's career was derailed for a year by a torn ACL. Prior to that, we saw the smooth 5'7 combo guard do great work both in Alexandria and on the top [program_tooltip program_id='714566' first='Minnesota' last='Stars'] squad in the 2026 age group, a high-profile team that drew tons of college eyeballs. She's smooth, with a highly advanced set of skills and a shooter's touch that would be the envy of most players. Ranked #48 in the class, Lauren's long-term upside is undeniable as she works her way back to an elite level.   [player_tooltip player_id='478366' first='Riley' last='Ang'] – Rosemount   Ang suffered not one but two ACL injuries, an unfortunate series of events that has basically cost her most of a high school career. If you watched Riley at the Breakdown Community Clash on Saturday, you would never know she'd missed a week never mind two years. The 5'7 combo guard is still one of the best shooters around and can still get downhill and score. Prior to her injuries, Ang was a top 35 prospect who was about to join a [program_tooltip program_id='712722' first='North' last='Tartan'] EYBL squad. If I'm a coach, Ang is a player I 'd bet on.   [player_tooltip player_id='782553' first='Amelia' last='Schwendimann'] – Orono   Amelia has always had talent and length and a world of potential. Now, in her senior year, all of it has come together beautifully and Schwendiman is turning out to be a classic late bloomer. Her confidence level has soared as the 5'11 wing has blossomed into a starter for 17-3 Orono playing big minutes every night. When we update the 2026 prospect rankings for the last time later this month, look for Amelia to take a huge leap into the top 75. She's earned it.   TOP FORWARDS   [player_tooltip player_id='502537' first='Kate' last='Hennessy'] – Alexandria   We always say that the road to college basketball is the ride of a rollercoaster and the length of a marathon. That certainly applies to Hennessy's career as the gifted 5'11 athlete has had her share of ups and downs. She burst onto the AAU scene with plenty of size and the athletic ability to go with it. That earned her a spot in the top 30 back in 9th grade. Still a top 50 prospect, Hennessy has aged like fine wine into a versatile competitor who can score off the dribble or with her back to the basket, rebound at a very high level while defending players down low or out on the perimeter.   [player_tooltip player_id='412736' first='Romo' last='Smith'] – Mankato West   The 5'10 senior has a big body with impressive physical strength, assets she uses to be an imposing presence in the paint at both ends of the floor. She is a prodigious rebounder who can out-maneuver bigger players for an advantage and come away with the basketball. Her finishing, shooting and ball handling have all improved over the years but it is her excellent anticipation, sense of timing and willingness to fight for possessions that adds real value. Smith should do well at the Division 2 level, which is reflected by her #58 ranking among the 2026s.   [player_tooltip player_id='829629' first='Sophia' last='Amundson'] – Two Rivers   Amundson is another late bloomer who has really come into her own since former Michigan State forward and Minnesota Miss Basketball Nia Hollie took the reigns as coach at Two Rivers. Standing north of 6 feet with a ton of length, Sophia has the natural attributes to do well in the college game. As her confidence has grown, as well as her willingness to be physical, Amundson has become a scorer. She's averaging nearly 18 points and 7 rebounds per game for the Warriors. Amundson is ranked #61 in the Class of 2026.   [player_tooltip player_id='773399' first='Annika' last='Dunrud'] – New York Mills   From the time she entered high school basketball until now, Dunrud is one of the most improved players in the Class. Her game has grown exponentially over the last 18 months as she played on a much bigger stage in AAU and proved she could go head-to-head with high-level athletes and come out on top. Standing over 6 feet and ranked #67 in the Class, Dunrud is averaging about 18 points and 10 rebounds per game. She has offers and interest across the D2 level, both in Minnesota and beyond. With size, length, athleticism and intelligence, Annika's potential at that level is legit.   [player_tooltip player_id='502563' first='Lauren' last='Hust'] – Rochester Lourdes   Lauren has been able to score the basketball in high volume forever with a combination of strength and finesse as well as a shooter's touch. Her ability as a rebounder is also well-established as she uses her size and strength to overpower opponents down low. Put those assets together and you have a player averaging a double-double at 19 and 11 along with 56 steals and 28 blocked shots. She can guard big players outside and quick players on the perimeter and everything in between. Ranked 68th in the Class, Hust has been considering Division 2 and NAIA offers and will do well at either level.   [player_tooltip player_id='782565' first='Maya' last='Jenkins'] – Eastview   We watched Maya and her game grow over the years, mostly in AAU basketball with the [program_tooltip program_id='774653' first='Minnesota' last='Bobcats']. Every year she got taller and stronger and more skilled. What emerged at the varsity level was a fierce competitor who takes no prisoners. We love her fire. We love her fight. We love how her confidence and productivity have grown. Standing north of 6 feet, Maya has the height and length to do well at the next level. Ranked #80 in the Class, she's also an academic superstar with high aspirations.

College basketball isn't for everyone. At the Division 1 level, it's basically a full-time job and a challenging one at that. D2 is much the same, but with summers off. Even D3 can be a grind if you play in a successful program. Still, we are always taken aback when we see talented athletes hang it up when their high school career is over, opting out of playing at the next level even when there are nice opportunities to do so.