2028s and 2029s: Standout performers in recent weeks

The school year is ending, graduation parties are aplenty, and the weather certainly isn't cooling down. Neither is the competition level of the AAU season. As we enter the summer stretch, consisting of big upcoming events such as Summer Jam and the Mill City Invitational, we'll continue to cover the hard-hat competitors, rankings risers, unsung heroes, and crunch-time performers. In the meantime, here are a handful of prospects who have impressed our scouts in recent weeks.    Quick, light on her feet, and highly determined on each possession, Johnson's impact on the game is immediately noticeable. While she isn't going to overwhelm anyone with her size or strength, the [program_tooltip program_id='712700' first='Minnesota' last='Suns'] guard (pictured above) does all the little things. Aly defends with energy and heart, creates movement away from the ball in half-court sets, and takes care of the ball on offense with a tight handle and smart passes. Her ability to get her feet set quickly on the perimeter and constant readiness to shoot make the Andover freshman a constant scoring threat from the midrange and beyond the arc. Back at the Summer Kickoff, Johnson scored a team-high 34 points across four games, making her a top 10 scorer in her division.     Following her standout freshman season at Deer River where she averaged over 12 points and 5 rebounds per game, Watkins has been a significant contributor for the [program_tooltip program_id='713214' first='Minnesota' last='Starks'] 15U squad this spring. The 5'7 guard stood out at the Summer Kickoff with her continuous effort, particularly on the defensive end. Josie guards the ball with a high degree of intensity, using her speed and understanding of the game to take away her opponents' advantages and create stops under pressure. On offense she can generate buckets in a variety of ways, and excels at both attacking the rim and knocking down shots in catch-and-shoot situations. Watkins has been crucial down the stretch in recent weeks, forcing overtime in a narrow win over the [program_tooltip program_id='713045' first='Wisconsin' last='Lakers'].     Johnson, a 5'7 guard who has been a key contributor for the [program_tooltip program_id='712700' first='Minnesota' last='Suns'] 2029 Bluestar squad all spring, has taken her game up another notch in early June. Quick in the open court and scrappy on the defensive end, the Minnetonka freshman brings a high level of intensity to both ends of the floor. We've seen Ingrid's ability to read the defense, making smart passes and finding strong shots when the ball is in her hands. With significant vertical elevation at her disposal, the Suns guard is an excellent rebounder for her size. Johnson's consistent willingness to outwork her opponents means that 50-50 boards and loose ball situations often go her way.     Playing for [program_tooltip program_id='714566' first='Minnesota' last='Stars'] 2028 3SSB this season, Smith has been at the top of her game all spring. The 5'10 power forward has put up big numbers on multiple occasions, including a 40-point showing at the Summer Kickoff. With a solidly built, muscular frame, Ava excels at using her strength to her advantage. The Hopkins sophomore maintains her balance on drives to the basket, boxes out her opponents with ease, and effortlessly bumps opponents who try to cut through the paint off their line, making her challenging to score against. A top 60 ranked prospect in the class of 2028, Smith is likely to be a significant contributor for the Royals again this Winter.     The caliber of Livingston's game is heightened by her intensity on the court. The 5'6 guard sees the court from all angles, allowing her to stay one step ahead of her opponents on both ends of the floor. She focuses on extra-effort plays, such as steals and hustling after loose balls, and creates her own offense with a shifty dribble-drive or a quick jump shot. Jaeyda fills in the gaps on offense, moving off the ball and cutting to the basket for an open layup. Her versatility and gritty style of play make Livingston a tremendous asset for her team. The [program_tooltip program_id='712352' first='Air' last='Minnesota'] guard was her team's top scorer at the Summer Kickoff, finishing the weekend with 37 points.    PGH intern Paxyn Rendahl contributed to these evaluations.

The school year is ending, graduation parties are aplenty, and the weather certainly isn't cooling down. Neither is the competition level of the AAU season. As we enter the summer stretch, consisting of big upcoming events such as Summer Jam and the Mill City Invitational, we'll continue to cover the hard-hat competitors, rankings risers, unsung heroes, and crunch-time performers. In the meantime, here are a handful of prospects who have impressed our scouts in recent weeks.