Fall Rankings Update: Small Forward Stock Risers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The evaluation and rankings process was expedited this spring and summer due to the volume of Prep Girls Hoops tournaments in Michigan and the mass participation by clubs and teams on our Prep Girls Hoops Circuit. The Prep Girls Hoops College Tour series and Prep Girls Hoops Michigan State Tournament gave us five chances to see prospects compete locally right here in Michigan. Nearly every club with college prospects in Michigan competed in front of our scouts at one Prep Girls Hoops tournament, with many clubs attending more than one tournament. This reality created the perfect environment for us to evaluate prospects from across the state against various levels of competition. We've continued to evaluate prospects at elite camps, individual showcases, and fall leagues throughout August, September, and now into October. Our Freshman Showcase hit a new PR with 90+ participants, while The Expo also hit new highs for attendance with 100+ registrations.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After actively evaluating the 2028 prospects, we now have 387 players ranked and on the Watch List. 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 over the past three years, there appears to be a predictable trend in Michigan.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Based on data from the 2024, 2025, and 2026 classes, there could be approximately 410 or more prospects per grade who can play some level of college basketball. There will always be multisport athletes who don't do 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, there may be anywhere from 10-20 D1 commits, 20-30 D2 commits, and 125-140 NAIA/D3/JUCO commits in a particular class. However, this 2028 class is clearly going to be an outlier. The number of prospects rated as D1/D2+ and D2/D3+/NAIA+/JUCO+ is greater than the typical average, with the biggest increase happening with 20+ prospects rated D1/D2+ and 55+ prospects rated as D2/NAIA+/D3+/JUCO+. The outcome of this surplus of talent/depth will hopefully mean more opportunities for these high school prospects to play impactful minutes at the best college level for them in Michigan, across the Midwest, and wherever they decide to go.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you'd like to learn more about the rankings and evaluation process, please utilize the thorough articles below.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/how-we-rank/">How We Rank</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2025/09/michigan-rankings-in-depth/">Michigan Rankings All-Access</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["897534"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ad79bdddaa88"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">At the inaugural Yooper Hooper Showcase, Adrian turned in an MVP-caliber performance, separating herself as an elite wing-small forward prospect in a loaded 2028 class. Her length, mobility, athleticism, high basketball IQ, versatile skill set as an interior scorer/defender, footwork, vocal presence on the floor, and accuracy from three-point range translate to the higher levels. Adrian eclipsed 1,000 points with Munising last season. She's an elite prospect in the U.P. who has the talent to be D4 All-State. The Mustangs will be looking to make a deep playoff push next March. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1276780"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ad79bdddaad6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rhiley has competed several times over the past six months in front of our scouts. She consistently stepped up and stood out during those observations. Rhiley's length, versatility as an interior player and perimeter threat, mobility, athleticism, and unselfish style make her a 3/4 prospect with qualities that will translate well to the college game. She's physical and maintains good balance when going up strong to finish around the basket. Rhiley makes defenses pay for leaving her open and rips the nets from beyond the arc. She has polished footwork in the paint and makes the effort plays. Ovid-Elsie will be an exciting team to watch this season, and Rhiley will be one of their most impactful players on the floor. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1350894"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ad79bdddab0a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Brooklyn is a wing-forward in the Lutheran North program to watch this season. She can sink the outside shot, hit teammates in stride with her precise passes, slash to the basket off the dribble to score layups and floaters, protect the rim as a shot blocker, and contribute as a rebounder. Brooklyn had a strong showing at Northwood Team Camp and earned a spot in our latest ranking. She has length and a versatile skill set that will appeal to coaches at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1227390"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ad79bdddab3a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Megan is one of those prospects in this class that's currently flying a little too far under the radar. She turned in an impressive spring with Mystics S40, including an All-Tournament First Team performance at the SVSU PGH College Tour. That excellence has continued into the fall with Eisenhower. Megan has 6-foot length and a strong stature that's difficult for opponents to match up against. She's mobile, tough, has three-point range, works hard to make a difference on the glass, scores through contact, is effective with her back to the basket or facing up, and makes the extra pass. Megan will be a key contributor for the Eagles this season and is a huge reason why Eisenhower is a favorite to make another deep playoff push. She has the potential to keep climbing the list. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1248323"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ad79bdddab6a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jaionna first caught my attention with Michigan Goonies at Northwood during the PGH Circuit College Tour. She followed with an impressive performance at The Compound Fall League with Chippewa Valley. Jaionna plays with high energy, effort, and physicality on the court. She's very effective at muscling into position to receive entry passes in the low post, then going up strong to finish through contact. Jaionna can attack downhill to score and get to the free-throw line off the dribble. She doesn't shy away from contact and bulldozes her way to the rim. Jaionna's aggressive defense, length, and mobility give opposing forwards more than they can handle. She will be a key player to watch in the lineup. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1250257"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ad79bdddab9a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Avary picked up an offer from Aquinas, which feels spot on with what we observed over the spring, summer, and now the fall. She had a strong AAU season with Dream Loudly, continued to stand out in summer games for Lowell, then separated herself at Cornerstone Elite Camp. Avary makes smart cuts and reads away from the ball, catches passes with good hands, and finishes with strength around the basket. She's physical, has excellent footwork, scores with touch, and wins one-on-one battles for rebounds on both ends of the court. Avary holds her ground on the defensive end and can step outside to sink open threes on the perimeter. She looks ready to have a fantastic junior season, and her presence in the lineup will give opponents matchup problems. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->