Getting Off the Fence: My Top Five in the Class of 2030

Without a doubt, I have one of the best jobs in the world. I get paid to watch and evaluate basketball. It is a privilege, and I genuinely love the work.   As my first summer travel season with Prep Girls Hoops comes to a close, it is time to take a stand. I have been adamant about remaining neutral and letting the evaluations speak for themselves. However, my late uncle always had a saying about staying neutral. The only thing you get from sitting on the fence is a sore butt.   So, I am officially getting off the fence.   The Class of 2030 is preparing to enter high school and begin building its own legacy. These players have four important years ahead of them. Before long, they will be rising seniors searching for opportunities to continue their basketball careers.   However, there is plenty of basketball to be played before that day arrives. Players will develop, roles will change, and new names will undoubtedly emerge.   This list is simply where things stand through my eyes right now. It reflects the players I have personally evaluated and what I have seen on the court.   With that said, it is time to make my first list.   Here are my top five rising freshmen from the Class of 2030.    Makayla Smith is the most high school-ready rising freshman I have had the privilege of evaluating. Nothing about her game is overwhelmingly flashy. However, she consistently makes the right basketball play.   Smith makes very few mistakes, especially for a point guard her age. Additionally, she plays with tremendous discipline and a pass-first mentality. She can impact a game without scoring a single point. Still, Smith can attack the rim and finish when opportunities develop.   She can also punish defenses from beyond the arc when left open. Defensively, that same discipline continues to stand out. Smith rarely finds herself out of position. Instead, she relies on strong footwork to stay in front of ballhandlers. She also uses her body effectively to influence where opponents want to go. Overall, Smith appears prepared to make an immediate impact at the high school level. Expect her to earn quality minutes while continuing to develop her game.     [player_tooltip player_id='1309716' first='Addison' last='Farr'] proves the old basketball saying that you simply cannot teach height. However, her size is only part of what makes her intriguing. Farr possesses impressive footwork and athleticism around the basket for such a young player. This multi-sport athlete operates comfortably in tight spaces around the rim. Additionally, she combines strong hands with quality footwork to finish through traffic.   Defensively, Farr's length and athleticism create problems for opposing post players. She can alter, redirect, and block shots around the basket. Moreover, her mobility gives her tools beyond those of a traditional interior player. As Farr physically matures, expect her game to become stronger and more well-rounded. She still has plenty of development ahead of her. However, Farr already possesses the tools to make an immediate impact at the high school level.     Sasha Sommerville is a physical young guard who looks comfortable playing both on and off the ball. She is a prototypical downhill scorer who consistently attacks the paint with purpose. Additionally, Sommerville can finish with either hand while navigating traffic around the basket. However, her impact extends beyond scoring. She possesses the court vision to distribute effectively in transition and the half court. As a result, she can run an offense or comfortably play within its natural flow.   Defensively, Sommerville's physical strength immediately stands out. She is difficult to back down or knock off her position. Moreover, her physicality can make life uncomfortable for opposing ballhandlers. As physically tough guards become increasingly uncommon, Sommerville brings a throwback mentality to the floor. That toughness should provide a breath of fresh air for any high school program.         [player_tooltip player_id='1253337' first='Amerie' last='Russell'] is one of the most difficult guards in her class to keep in front. An explosive scoring guard, Russell combines a dangerous first step with a low center of gravity. As a result, she consistently beats defenders to important landmarks on the floor. Russell is fearless when attacking and understands exactly where she needs to get offensively. Additionally, the offense frequently runs through her because of her ability to create advantages.   Defenses must account for Russell whenever she is on the court. Despite being undersized, her stature can actually become one of her greatest weapons. Opponents can underestimate Russell because of her size and quickly learn otherwise. Moreover, she plays with a naturally dominant mentality that refuses to disappear against bigger defenders. By the time opponents recognize how dangerous Russell can be, she has usually already made them pay.     Jhante Evans is a scoring guard with a competitive edge and a willingness to attack tough areas. She possesses a natural nose for the basket and the handle to consistently get there. Additionally, Evans creates problems whenever the basketball is in her hands. She attacks with purpose and looks comfortable creating her own scoring opportunities.   Defensively, Evans takes a more direct approach than many guards her age. Rather than gambling in passing lanes, she prefers applying pressure directly to the ball. As a result, opposing guards must work against her from baseline to baseline. That pressure can frustrate ballhandlers into rushed decisions, bad passes, and turnovers.   Moreover, Evans combines a point guard skill set with the scoring mentality of an off guard. That combination gives her considerable upside as she enters high school. Evans should quickly enter the conversation among the top guards in the Class of 2030.      The rankings may change, but these five enter high school with the tools to make the Class of 2030 worth watching.

Without a doubt, I have one of the best jobs in the world. I get paid to watch and evaluate basketball. It is a privilege, and I genuinely love the work.