Class of 2026: Top Ten

Today, we're turning the page from the class of 2025 to the class of 2026. As per tradition, we're starting the update content with the Top Ten article, followed by the Next Ten article to close out this Monday.    Last summer, Sheplee popped on the EYBL circuit. She had an excellent April at Boo Williams over in Virginia, and the national attention for the Rice Lake native quickly caught up with the state attention we've given her the past few years. The 6'3 wing can do a little of everything. Sheplee shot 40% from the three-point line, scored in the post, defended multiple positions, and created off the dribble. It also helps that Sheplee is one of the best overall athletes the state has produced.     Last spring, Kussow did something that only two other kids in state history have done. The Arrowhead guard scored 59 points at the State Tournament and led the Warhawks to their first state title since 1991. The 5'11 guard/wing has a knack for scoring the ball in any situation. Kussow has the burst to get by almost anyone off the dribble and has the physicality to play through significant contact around the basket. The highly-touted national recruit has achieved everything most kids dream of in two seasons, and we get to see her play for two more years in the Lake Country.     One of the more underrated national-level recruits is this Shawano native. Nordin is a 6'1 wing who can slot into multiple different roles on the offensive end of the floor. She's scored in the mid-post, off the dribble, and from cutting. Although Nordin will be a wing at the next level, she has plenty of experience with the ball in her hands and has had success as a playmaker. I also believe she's the best mid-range scorer in Wisconsin's 2026 class by a wide margin.     The class's most recent commit, Janowski, will play basketball at the next level in Madison for the University of Wisconsin. The Pewaukee native is the premier perimeter defender in this class. Janowski has been an elite defender since she stepped onto the floor for the first time in Pirate uniform. Her lateral quickness and physicality make her a nightmare for kids who Janowski defends. She's made a living blanketing some of the top perimeter talents in the state over her first two seasons.     The Oostburg guard has been among the most dominant kids in D3 over the past two seasons and improved between her first and second seasons. Ketterhagen has excellent size for the lead guard spot and is one of the more physically imposing guards in the state with her physicality. Ketterhagen has always balanced her offense along with creating for others.     Few kids in any class can score the ball as fluidly as Kovacic when she's at her best. The 5'7 Brookfield native has been one of the more dangerous threats in D1 since she first dawned a Spartan uniform in 2022. Kovacic was one of the standouts of the 2023 state tournament due to her performance against Germantown in the state semifinals. She's been successful everywhere she's played, most recently at the U.S. Open in South Carolina, where her [program_tooltip program_id='713045' first='Wisconsin' last='Lakers'] team made a run to the title game.     Most people haven't seen Lemorande at her best yet due to her injury in the summer of 2023. The Bay Port native is among the best off-ball kids I've seen. She's a gifted mover away from the ball and runs off off-ball screens as well as anyone. Lemorande doesn't need much space to get her shot off, and she's always a threat to knock down shots in bunches. She has an opportunity to blow up a bit in her junior season.     The 6'3 post from Mukwonago is among the best post-players I've seen in Wisconsin. She has the size and physicality to control a game around the basket on both ends of the floor. Chilicki can finish around the basket with both hands and is comfortable scoring over either shoulder. However, Chilicki has enough touch to be a pick-and-pop threat to space the floor. She's as versatile of a post as you'll find.     In a summer where [program_tooltip program_id='715882' first='Wisconsin' last='Flight Elite'] had its fair share of struggles, [player_tooltip player_id='533058' first='Samantha' last='Davis'] seemed to be the figure everyone rallied around. Her athleticism and motor flashed even when games were over. Davis has no quit in her game, and the mental aspects of her game impressed me because she rose as the leader of that group to keep everyone motivated. She's a magnetic figure that people seem to love being around. She's an elite athlete on the perimeter and will be a welcomed addition to a Mid-Major program.     Whenever I see the La Crosse native, I feel like she's so close to turning a corner. The 6'0 wing has all the tools coaches look for in wings. She's a rangey kid who can attack off the dribble, has plenty of athleticism, and makes some eye-popping plays on the defensive end of the floor. Whenever everything comes together for her, she'll be one of the most productive kids at the next level in this class.

Today, we're turning the page from the class of 2025 to the class of 2026. As per tradition, we're starting the update content with the Top Ten article, followed by the Next Ten article to close out this Monday.