2028 Rankings Update: Top 10 stock risers this winter

There's no debating in our minds about who is the best prospect in Minnesota's Class of 2028. Every college coach in the country is in alignment on the status of [player_tooltip player_id='433933' first='Chloe' last='Johnson'], the Duluth Marshall phenom who is the top-rated sophomore point guard nationally. Our job is to figure out who else deserves to be ranked and in what order.   Earlier today we unveiled the revised Prep Girls Hoops Class of 2028 rankings. We've added 25 players, bringing the total number of ranked sophomores to 125. Yes, Johnson is still #1, and positions #2 through #19 remain the same, as well. From #2 [player_tooltip player_id='565312' first='Ari' last='Peterson'] through #19 Tate Addler, we feel pretty good about the strongest Division 1 prospects in the state. The changes begin in the 20th spot which is now occupied by [player_tooltip player_id='897889' first='Madilynn' last='Bell'] of Lakeville North and at #21 where [player_tooltip player_id='786398' first='Zaida' last='Jenkins'] of Benilde-St. Margaret's has taken up residence.   Here's a rundown on the biggest stock risers in the winter rankings update.   THE DOUBLE-DIGIT STOCK RISERS   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/09/78-Iona-MacNabb-crop-5607x3682-1763425418-crop-754x495-1772735668.jpg?w=753" alt="" class="wp-image-1796815" /></figure>   +29 [player_tooltip player_id='969766' first='Iona' last='MacNabb'] – guard, Richfield   Not long after we updated the 2028 rankings last fall, I came the realization that we had really underestimated what MacNabb (pictured above) can do. After seeing her over the past few months, it was evident that as soon as the opportunity arose we would have to bump Iona well up the list. As a result, she is the biggest stock riser in our winter rankings update, bolting 29 places up the list to #35. That puts her firmly in D1/D2 territory. The dynamic point guard has averaged over 19 points per game for the Spartans this season, finishing the year just three points shy of 500. MacNabb has superior quickness and athleticism, the kind of bounce that can elevate smaller guards to a higher level. We're fired up to see what she can do this summer. Something tells us there might be another level to come.   +14 [player_tooltip player_id='897889' first='Madilynn' last='Bell'] – forward, Lakeville North   Last winter Bell was just feeling her way in varsity basketball playing in the post behind 2028 #3 [player_tooltip player_id='644878' first='Sahara' last='Wilson'] and then-senior Aduke Ojullu, who is now at D1 Omaha. This winter, Bell has become a go-to option for the Panthers. She has evolved into a high-quality Division 1 prospect whose tool box continues to grow as her skillset and confidence expands. At 6'3, Bell is super long with the ability to be a defensive disruptor at a high level. She's got game outside, too, with nice shooting ability in the mid-range extending to three-point territory. Last fall Bell soared up the 2028 rankings, rising a remarkable 25 positions to #34. Now she moves up another 14 places to #20. She is, without any doubt, a strong candidate for mid-major college basketball.   +12 [player_tooltip player_id='897934' first='Lanaia' last='Durant'] – guard, Hopkins   One of the top considerations when scouting basketball players is current and potential height. There's no getting around it. Players with exceptional height and length are at the top of every college coach's list. Small kids have to do everything under the sun to prove that they deserve an opportunity. Let's just say that this season Durant has done exactly that. This kid is absolutely fearless. No matter the opponent, no matter how pressure-filled the situation is, no matter how many or how few minutes she has played in a given game, Lanaia is going to step on the floor and bring it. It's not easy to get minutes at Hopkins and she's earned her share, finishing in the top 5 in scoring at over 7 points per game. She's got handles and can stroke it. She defends with gusto. And she's never going to back down. Durant moves up 12 spots to #85.   THREE MORE BIG MOVERS   +9 [player_tooltip player_id='897890' first='Ellie' last='Quast'] – forward, Shakopee   As the Sabers have been working to rebuild their program, Quast has been laboring to build up her individual assets. It's surprising right now how few people are aware of her game. We get the sense that's going to change this summer as Ellie moves to a higher-profile AAU program and her development accelerates. At 6'1 with amazing length, Quast rebounds well, can finish at the rim, and has become much more adept with the basketball in her hands. Defensively she's got the tools to be a real disturber. Quast moves up 9 places in the rankings to #52.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/09/Danika-Shindelar-crop-6693x4395-1725924287-crop-718x472-1741548169-crop-646x424-1772735771.jpg?w=645" alt="" class="wp-image-1796816" /></figure>   +5 [player_tooltip player_id='991231' first='Danika' last='Shindelar'] – guard, Stewartville   Danika's game continues to grow. And grow. And grow. Big guards with big skills aren't easy to find, but Shindelar's bag of tricks has been on display all winter for 26-1 Stewartville . Whe's averaging over a dozen points per game and delivering valuable contributions across the board. Pictured above, Shindelar can handle the basketball, is a very good distributor, an excellent three-point shooter and the kind of athlete who isn't rattled by the biggest moments. When her sister [player_tooltip player_id='458305' first='Audrey' last='Shindelar'] heads off to South Dakota State in the fall, I suspect we're going to see Danika's level rise even higher. She moves up 5 spots to #38.   +4 [player_tooltip player_id='786398' first='Zaida' last='Jenkins'] – guard, Benilde-St. Margaret's   We've enjoyed watching Jenkins play from the moment she emerged on the scene in middle school. The potential was always evident. The possibilities have now become reality as Zaida has made herself into a crucial piece of a very nice puzzle for the defending Class AAA state champions. She's averaging 12.1 points per game on a balanced Red Knights squad and is making her presence felt in all aspects of the game. She's skilled and athletic and versatile, with endless ways to score. Zaida is now up to #21.   FOUR MORE WHO MOVED UP   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/09/Izzy-Wiita-1-crop-5355x3517-1725896631-crop-783x515-1772735812.jpg?w=782" alt="" class="wp-image-1796817" /></figure>   +3 [player_tooltip player_id='991034' first='Izzy' last='Wiita'] – guard, Mountain Iron-Buhl   The crafty guard roared out of the gate at the Breakdown Tip Off Classic in dominant fashion, sparking a trend that has continued throughout the winter for MIB. Pictured above, Izzy is averaging over 16 points per game –  just behind team leader [player_tooltip player_id='659121' first='Anna' last='Neyens'] – on over 60% shooting from the field. She has 2.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game along with a remarkable 104 steals on the season. Wiita rises into the top 50 at #48.   +2 [player_tooltip player_id='990284' first='Dreah' last='Christiansen'] – guard, Menahga   The Braves may not be front and center in the high school spotlight at the moment, and the program doesn't post individual statistics on the Hub for all to see. Rest assured though, Christiansen has been absolutely killing it all winter. She has consistently put up 25 to 30 points per game while leading her team on a 28-game winning streak. Dreah is smooth, she's skilled, and she is efficient. With a relentless work ethic, Dreah has earned a rise to #28.   +2 [player_tooltip player_id='1209360' first='Ava' last='Smith'] – forward, Hopkins   Smith may not be the tallest power forward around, and she may not get the most minutes toiling behind top 5 prospect [player_tooltip player_id='558627' first='Erma' last='Walker'] in the post for the Royals. That hasn't stopped her from making a big impact off the bench. Ava is a versatile competitor with a ton of strength and solid all-around skills. She uses her on-court intelligence and never-ending physical presence at both ends of the floor and just makes plays when she needs to. Ava is now ranked #56.   +2 [player_tooltip player_id='992389' first='Bria' last='Williamson'] – guard, Fairmont   Led by senior [player_tooltip player_id='339179' first='Brylee' last='Miller'] (MSU-Mankato), the Cardinals of Fairmont are 28-2. Williamson has been a huge part of their success. Playing out of position in the post, Bria has adjusted well. Averaging nearly 10 points and 5 rebounds per game while shooting 48% from the field, Bria's game has continued to grow. She crushed it at the Sophomore ID Camp last fall to earn her way into the rankings. Now the 5'10 guard rises to #72. Williamson plays with pace, energy and hustle, making big plays and creating opportunities for her team.   How Do the Rankings Work?   If you aren't familiar with the Prep Girls Hoops rankings process the most important thing to know is this: Our rankings are based on a player's potential as a college prospect – not her current performance in high school. That distinction matters.   Among players in 10th grade, the high school landscape varies widely. Some are already established varsity contributors with multiple seasons of experience. Others may barely see the floor. In our evaluation process, both can still project as top prospects. Our goal – working in conjunction with college coaches, AAU coaches and others with deep knowledge of Minnesota players – is to evaluate long-term potential. For more details, visit the <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/how-we-rank/">How We Rank</a> page.

There's no debating in our minds about who is the best prospect in Minnesota's Class of 2028. Every college coach in the country is in alignment on the status of Chloe Johnson Chloe Johnson 6'0" | PG Duluth Marshall | 2028 State MN , the Duluth Marshall phenom who is the top-rated sophomore point guard nationally. Our job is to figure out who else deserves to be ranked and in what order.