Elite 2026 Basketball Players to Watch This Season

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>USE CODE "tinnon30" FOR 30% OFF THE FIRST PURCHASE OF ANY SUBSCRIPTION</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we approach the season, we, along with other publications, will be releasing compelling stories to accompany our rankings as we enter the new season. It's fun to take a look at some of the past successes we have had across the state. New beginnings bring along new headlines that will pique the interest of both fans and players throughout the season. As I have mentioned to you before, this season will be a great one with a lot of unfolding stories.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I wanted to showcase some young ladies who have elevated our brand of basketball across the country. What I mean by that is, there are levels to this game. These young ladies have displayed a high level of basketball that has attracted the eyes of coaches near and far, and have gained national attention. There are some highly-touted players who will be playing in one of the power 4 conferences at the next level. These young ladies hoop on Tennessee courts, but are recognized nationally by other publications as being the top of their class, not only in this state but across the country.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are some young ladies from the 2026 class who were recognized nationally amongst the elite.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["513228"],"_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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68d3f84e004f4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A passionate kid who has inflicted dominance over her opponents since her freshman year, this kid will be heading to Clemson to terrorize the ACC. A 3x TSSAA champion (maybe 4x) is primed and ready to get her senior year going. She has added more moves to her game that will enable her to stretch the floor and work in open space. Sure, she can dominate the low block areas, but now, other spots on the floor will be getting exploited. She's been great on the boards, blocking shots, bringing the physicality on the defensive side of the ball. Look for her to have a sensational senior year!<br><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["513227"],"_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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68d3f84e00555"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another Clemson signee that will be a nice addition to the Lady Tigers program. A heady floor general who can do all things. Score from multiple levels, drop dimes to teammates, exploit an opponent's weakness, and finish at the rim. Then turn around and create chaos on the defensive end. This kid is a gym rat who has an amazing work ethic. A fearless competitor, she, too, will be ready to lead her club back to state contention on her last go around in TSSAA basketball.<br><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["513233"],"_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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68d3f84e0059b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This monster is down to her top seven: Arizona, Arizona State, Missouri, Florida State, Baylor, Georgia Tech, Georgia. Wherever she goes, the team will be impacted by her talent right away. A dynamic scoring guard who can fill it up from all three levels. Shifty, this young lady takes it to opponents, leaving defenders in the dust. She has been a kid who has shone in the light, helping her team reach new heights yearly. This go around, look for her to finish strong and give a verbal commitment to one of the seven schools mentioned. <br><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are a couple of other top players from the 2026 class who will be looking to take their game to the next level and dominate.<br><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["636390"],"_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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68d3f84e005fc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sharpshooter who is a scoring threat from multiple spots on the floor. This kid is a hungry competitor who can put the ball in the hoop. A talented kid who can fill it up and change the course of the game at a moment's notice. She will be heading to Mississippi State after this year, looking to give the Lady Bulldogs program a spark. Until then, look for her to scorch the nets in Tennessee gyms one last time.<br><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["593347"],"_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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68d3f84e00643"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rare air, this young lady can score the basketball. She can handle the rock, has a quick first step, can get paint touches with ease, and, of course, shoot it from deep. She is an aggressive defender who gets steals and creates turnovers. She will be heading to Nashville, where she will be suiting up for the Belmont Lady Bruins. A talented kid who has some unfinished business to attend to prior to her departing the Dyersburg program. Look for her to have a strong senior season.<br><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->