Freshman Showcase Preview: Top wings, forwards to watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's that time of year again – the annual Prep Girls Hoops Freshman Showcase is just around the corner. Held at Maple Grove Middle School for the second year in a row, the event will feature more than 80 players from around the state as they partake in both 3-on-3 and 5-on-5 competition. PGH scouts Grant McGinnis, Tony Ragulen, Paxyn Rendahl and I will be in the gym evaluating talent all day.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the big event just a couple of days away, it's time we preview some of the top college prospects who will be in attendance. We've broken our list down into two parts. Yesterday we featured some of the top guards that will be at the event and today we're looking at 10 of the best wings and forwards. This is not an exhaustive list by any means, but rather a selection of some of the high-level talent that will be in the gym this weekend. Players are organized alphabetically by last name.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Something to note: Registrations for the Minnesota Freshman Showcase are still live! Players who have not signed up yet, but wish to attend have until Sunday morning to sign up. <strong><a href="https://events.prepgirlshoops.com/e/2397/register/minnesota-freshman-showcase">Click here</a></strong> for registration info. We hope to see you there!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TOP WINGS AND FORWARDS TO SEE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1822885,"width":"654px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/04/LeyahAbosi-crop-2933x1926-1775586003.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1822885" style="width:654px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Abosi</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1820143' first='Leyah' last='Abosi'] – 5'9 Wing, Benilde St. Margaret's</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Talk about a sleeper! While not a particularly well-known name, Abosi caught our attention early in the AAU season with her smooth athleticism, innate feel for the game, and ability to score in a variety of ways. After playing a key role at Minneapolis Southwest last season, the 5'9 wing will make her debut for Benilde-St. Margaret's this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1268760' first='Lauren' last='Gess'] – 6'0 Wing/Guard, Moorhead</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The [program_tooltip program_id='713021' first='West' last='Central United'] wing isn't going to wow you with show-stopping passes or flashy buckets, but what she will do is play hard working, no-nonsense, high IQ basketball each time she steps on the floor. Fundamentally sound in every way, Gess is sure to be a success at the college level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1228751' first='Reese' last='Goranson'] – 5'11 Wing/Guard, Proctor</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Following a breakout summer with [program_tooltip program_id='713214' first='Minnesota' last='Starks'], Goranson has quickly become one of the biggest rising stars in the class. Standing at 5'11 with a long, wiry frame, the Proctor freshman is a versatile wing who impacts the game in nearly every way. She'll definitely be a player to watch on Sunday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1353703' first='Kendall' last='Malmgren'] – 5'11 Power Forward, St. James</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Malmgren is one of those players who leaves their fingerprints all over the game time and time again. Averaging 13.8 points, 9.6 rebounds, 1.7 steals, and 1.8 blocks per game for St. James last winter, the 5'11 power forward consistently fills up the stat sheet through sheer effort.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1354331' first='Zion' last='Nnaji'] – 6'1 Power Forward, Shakopee</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the premier rim-runners in the freshman class, Nnaji's effortless athleticism and ability to space the floor are hallmarks of her game. Standing at 6'1, the Shakopee forward should be able to make an impact in the Sabers frontcourt this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1234372,"width":"580px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/04/SheaWatkinsGeorgiaWatkins-crop-3317x2178-1744839235.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1234372" style="width:580px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='1090086' first='Shea' last='Watkins'] (left) &amp; [player_tooltip player_id='1090085' first='Georgia' last='Watkins'] (right)</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='939006' first='Sophie' last='Schoenrock'] – 6'4 Forward/Center, St. Francis</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Standing at a whopping 6-foot-4, Schoenrock is one of, if not the, biggest players we've seen among the incoming freshman. What's most notable about the [program_tooltip program_id='712722' first='North' last='Tartan'] post, though, is the significant growth in her game we witnessed over the summer. With more skill and confidence than before, Sophie will be a key component at St. Francis this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1243842' first='Mara' last='Segerstrom'] – 6'1 Wing/Forward, Prior Lake</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In terms of athleticism, there are very few players in Minnesota's class of 2030 who can match up with Segerstrom. At 6'1, Mara is a strong, solidly built forward with a vast array of guard skills. There's no doubt that the Prior Lake 9th grader's ceiling is incredibly high.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1786296' first='Svea' last='Swenson'] – 6'3 Forward, Orono</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another player north of the 6'2 mark, Swenson is one of the most intriguing frontcourt players we've seen in a while. Long, lanky, and highly mobile, the Orono freshman has plenty of physical gifts. While still somewhat green, Svea certainly has plenty of upside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1090085' first='Georgia' last='Watkins'] – 5'9 Wing, Minnehaha Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A high level performer on the AAU circuit this summer, it should come as no surprise to see Watkins on this list. Already having two years of varsity experience at Minnehaha Academy behind her, Georgia and her twin sister Shea have been on our radar for quite some time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1090086' first='Shea' last='Watkins'] – 6'0 Wing/Forward, Minnehaha Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Much like her twin sister, Watkins had a strong summer with [program_tooltip program_id='712722' first='North' last='Tartan']'s 14U EYBL squad. After averaging 8.1 points per game for Minnehaha Academy as an 8th grader, Shea is set to take on a much bigger role for the Redhawks this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->