2028 Rankings: Young “Veterans”Who Have Been There- Done That

In this article, we look at some of the 2028 prospects who have experienced the intensity and excitement of playing in Lakeland. Some of these players played in the State Championship series as early as 7th grade and many were in Lakeland this past year as 9th graders. Whatever the scenario may be, the experienced gained in the State Championship is immeasurable. There is a reason these players are ranked in our inaugural 2028 rankings. These young prospects will be players to watch, and many will have the competitive edge over their peers because they have played in the “big games.”    [player_tooltip player_id='400815' first='Kylie' last='Green'] got some great experience in Lakeland and went down to a more experienced team. Green connected on several three pointers and also got to the rim. Confidence is something that Green has plenty of and the experience gained will serve the young guard well in travel ball and should lead to a monster Sophomore campaign.     [player_tooltip player_id='248376' first='Arianna' last='Robinson'] is a young player who would be the first player taken in a draft. Her ability to lead a team of older players was an incredible site in her 8th grade season. Robinson is the most decorated Freshman on the list, having won a State Championship in her 7th grade, 8th grade, and this year as a 9th grader. Robinson plays with great confidence, and it's the Lakeland environment and the winning tradition that makes her such a “different type of player. Her skillset plays a big part, too. Robinson can shoot from the perimeter, can lock down an opponent with something defense, and can turn it up in the transition game.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/04/DSC02554.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1236842" /></figure>     [player_tooltip player_id='400818' first='Kennedi' last='Tatum'] has played with the big girls for several years and found herself in Lakeland in her 8th grade season making huge contributions to her team's success. Tatum is a lock down defender and force in the transition game. The young Tatum glides up and down the floor and is a player to keep your eye on. Tatum is familiar with the big game and the big game environment. She has help lead a few upsets in her young career: she helped take down a highly ranked Bolles Varsity team while still in middle school and at the beginning of her Freshman year, she helped her team upset a talented St Thomas Aquinas team at the Inside Exposure tournament. Tatum is competitive and fueled by the big games and ranking lists. She will be on a mission this travel season, but she has been here before.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/04/DSC07520.jpeg?w=850" alt="" class="wp-image-1230381" /></figure>     [player_tooltip player_id='646515' first='Zoey' last='Brown'] just helped her team go wire to wire and the pressure and expectations that came with that feat was enough to prepare the young guard for this summer and her Sophomore campaign. Throw in the Lakeland experience and there is not much the young Brown hasn't seen. The way she played and navigated the pressure from last season will prepare the young guard for seasons to come. Brown is instant excitement with her attacks on the basket and her pinpoint passes. She is more than ready for what comes her way. She has been through the fire and it was usually Brown who delivered the smoke.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/03/DSC01814.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1209960" /></figure>     [player_tooltip player_id='514910' first='Ja'Niya' last='Corbin'] started the season out knocking down several threes and finished with 10 freethrow attempts in the State Championship game. Corbin can shoot the three and can also go to the rim. She can draw the foul and pile up points in a heartbeat. It will be exciting to see Corbin and her cousins together next year as they attempt to run it back. The experience gained by being in the pressure cooker at Wildwood will make for a huge Sophomore season for Corbin.

In this article, we look at some of the 2028 prospects who have experienced the intensity and excitement of playing in Lakeland. Some of these players played in the State Championship series as early as 7th grade and many were in Lakeland this past year as 9th graders. Whatever the scenario may be, the experienced gained in the State Championship is immeasurable. There is a reason these players are ranked in our inaugural 2028 rankings. These young prospects will be players to watch, and many will have the competitive edge over their peers because they have played in the “big games.”