2028 Rankings Update: Top 101 Risers

After actively evaluating prospects during the high school season, we now have 278 sophomores listed, with 172 ranked heading into the AAU season. Height, size, speed, athleticism, fundamental skill development, the position a player is projected to play at the next level, and performance in different competitive settings are all taken into account. Our goal with every class is to accurately group prospects into the correct categories of college potential/projection. By the end of senior year, each class breaks down into clear categories: Power Four D1+, D1/D2+, D2/NAIA+/D3+/JUCO+, NAIA/D3/JUCO, and NAIA/D3 reserve. As I've written many times, the levels of college basketball intersect, cross, and differ in competitive ability throughout all the divisions. All high school classes do not have the same size, talent, or level of college talent. However, based on my tracking of commitments the past three years, there appears to be a predictable trend in Michigan.   Taking data from the 2024, 2025, and 2026 classes into consideration, there could be approximately 410 prospects per grade who can play some level of college basketball. There will always be multisport athletes who don't play travel basketball or play in some remote area where we just don't get the opportunity to identify them for our rankings, despite our best efforts. Using averages from the past three classes, my expectations moving forward are that there could be anywhere from 10-20 D1 commits, 20-30 D2 commits, and 125-140 NAIA/D3/JUCO commits in a particular class. Applying that understanding to our rankings basically means that, depending on the class, the top 20 ranked prospects project as D1/D2+, 21-50 D2/NAIA+/D3+/JUCO+, 51 and beyond could range anywhere from NAIA/D3 varsity, NAIA/D3 reserve, or JUCO, depending on the college program. We believe this 2028 class is on the higher end of the D2/NAIA+/D3+/JUCO+ spectrum as far as depth, numbers, and potential--specifically at the guard-wing spots.   Here are six of Michigan's top 101 prospects who are on the rise in our latest rankings update!    Skylar averaged 19.5 points, seven rebounds, 3.6 steals, 2.2 assists, and one block per game for Cass City. She dropped 28 points in a game and was the most impactful two-way player for her team all season. Skylar has a unique blend of length and quickness that you don't see at the guard position often. She plays with a high motor, gets downhill, and converts difficult shots in the paint. Skylar's long arms, anticipation, and pressure create steals on the perimeter that lead to quick transition points. She received recognition as First Team All-Conference and was a PGH Sophomore Player of the Year.     Lexi was a major contributor for a South Christian squad that finished the regular season undefeated, making it all the way to the D2 State Semifinals. Lexi has physicality, strength, passing vision, soft touch around the basket, footwork, determined rebounding, and defensive impact, which make her a solid next-level forward prospect.     Ashlyn had a breakout sophomore campaign for McBain, receiving First Team All-Conference recognition. She averaged 13 points per game, shooting an efficient 61% from the floor. Ashlyn contributed in every category, averaging six rebounds, three steals, two assists, and one block for the Ramblers. She has a team-first mindset, understands spacing, has a high basketball IQ, handles the ball well, and is a solid defender. Ashlyn's length, effort, and versatile skill set make her a matchup problem for opposing guards and forwards.     Aubrey received TVC Red All-Conference honors after averaging 16.8 points, 8.9 rebounds, five assists, and 4.8 steals per game for Bay City John Glenn. Her effectiveness as a facilitator, speed off the dribble, ability to comfortably switch hands in the open court, and pesky defensive pressure particularly stood out at the Hemlock Holiday Classic. She's aggressive, chases down rebounds, makes hustle plays, attacks downhill to split gaps for layups, and shoots efficiently from the free-throw line. Aubry had a breakout sophomore campaign for the Bobcats.     Mya turned in a monster sophomore season for Baraga that helped make them one of the U.P's best teams. She produced 13 double-doubles and is on pace to eclipse 1,000 career rebounds. Mya averaged 15 points (50% FG%) and 11.4 rebounds per game, with over 113 of those rebounds coming on the offensive end. She has the versatility to defend guards and forwards. Her length, quickness, competitiveness, toughness, strength, and skill set have resulted in a top 100 ranking. Mya received recognition as a PGH Sophomore Player of the Year Finalist.     Paige had a very productive sophomore season for a Negaunee team that finished the regular season ranked in the top 25. She received Mid-Peninsula Conference All-UP Second Team honors and recognition as WestPAC First Team All-Conference. Paige is effective in the screen and roll. She finishes well off two feet, scores through contact, and can push the ball up the court to score in transition. Paige moves her feet well to cut off drives and blocks shots with good body control to avoid fouling. She anticipates passes from help and uses her length to create steals. Paige is a physical and determined rebounder who gives the Miners an advantage in the front court.

After actively evaluating prospects during the high school season, we now have 278 sophomores listed, with 172 ranked heading into the AAU season. Height, size, speed, athleticism, fundamental skill development, the position a player is projected to play at the next level, and performance in different competitive settings are all taken into account. Our goal with every class is to accurately group prospects into the correct categories of college potential/projection. By the end of senior year, each class breaks down into clear categories: Power Four D1+, D1/D2+, D2/NAIA+/D3+/JUCO+, NAIA/D3/JUCO, and NAIA/D3 reserve. As I've written many times, the levels of college basketball intersect, cross, and differ in competitive ability throughout all the divisions. All high school classes do not have the same size, talent, or level of college talent. However, based on my tracking of commitments the past three years, there appears to be a predictable trend in Michigan.