2026 Player Rankings Update: Stock-Risers

To be a, “Stock-Riser”, means a few things depending on how you look at it but the most important factor in my opinion is that the prospect is continuously putting in meaningful work in their off-time and that work is translating to the floor in real game-time. In this piece, we cover five individuals out of this 2026 Class in Iowa, that have embodied what it means to be a Stock-Riser these past few months.   Thanks for tuning in and enjoy!    [player_tooltip player_id='502101' first='Madden' last='Wilson'] of CR Xavier is still uncommitted at this time but I'm sure that won't last for much longer. Wilson came onto the Varsity scene years ago but last season was the Winter that really put her on the map. Wilson led her CR Xavier team to a 4A State Title as their leading PG, making all the right decisions along the way. On this journey, she didn't only show that she can handle, create, facilitate, and defend - she demonstrated that she can be a leader of any program when she has the ball in her possession vocally and through instruction. She is a total game leader by definition and that talent is going to translate to the next level when she finally gets there.     [player_tooltip player_id='598490' first='Ava' last='Putman'] is someone that we have not mentioned a lot through out the years but as of late, her steady improvement has really impressed us over the past eight months. Putman, a 5'7 CG, is pound-for-pound, one of the most athletic players that the state of Iowa has to offer. This athletic ability helps her thrive in a few different ways on the floor. She is a skilled multiple-level scorer offensively with great body control while attacking the bucket. She can keep it simple and hit shots when defenders don't step up or she can get crafty with it and get by her opponent off the dribble for an easier look going towards the hoop. Defensively, she is pesty and someone that gets under the skin of opponent. She is very good at sticking with her matchup in the full court if asked, never giving up an inch of space in reality. All in all, Putman will be her team's main producer this Winter for her Senior season. If she can stay locked in at the goal at hand, who knows where Central DeWitt takes things in the end under her leadership.     [player_tooltip player_id='782498' first='Ainsley' last='Kiene'] of Ankney High School is going to be much more of an "X factor" for her group than most people think going into this season. Kiene is a skilled SG with a smooth game-play style. When she is confident in her ability and working off of the ball is when she is at her best. She can do well as a shooter off the catch from the Wing but she stands out the most when she can get to the basket or into the middle of the lane off of the dribble. There is going to be so much attention brought to Ankeny's star player, [player_tooltip player_id='342205' first='Jayla' last='Williams'] each night, that whenever others can step up to help carry the load, it will be clutch in a positive way. So I'm expecting players like Kiene to step up in some of their bigger contests this Winter, when it really matters the most.     The collegiate interest for [player_tooltip player_id='669067' first='Keke' last='Walker'] has risen over the last few months as she closed out her finally AAU season on the road with her [program_tooltip program_id='712595' first='Kingdom' last='Hoops'] program out of Des Moines. Walker has always been a talented hooper but coaching staffs are starting to see what she can really bring to the table. This is a player that isn't going to hurt you with insane skill moves. Instead, she understands what she does best and that's keeping things consistent. She knows to play within her own ability, making open shots, making the simple pass, playing off of two feet, stuff like that and it helps her be productive at her position overall. I'm no sure where Walker is going to end up for college ball but she has some options so we will just have to wait and see.     Osage High School is looking to put together a rememberable Winter once again with their Varsity group and if they want that to happen, players like [player_tooltip player_id='1130683' first='Addison' last='Marcks'] will have to play some of their best basketball to date. Marcks would be considered an undersized SF or more of a CG, depending on the situation and roster that is put around her. Offensively, she understands her back to the basket capabilities while being a sound finisher on either side of the basket. She can also work out of the Mid-post and attack with a dribble or she can jab-step and knock down an easy mid-range jumper. Defensively, Marcks always has a tough task of guarding bigger than herself it seems but she can also stick with someone who might be more of a guard-type player if need be. As you can tell, the versatile play style is there for Marcks. As long as she is used in a right way with that style by her coaching staff moving forward, they should see some positive results.

To be a, “Stock-Riser”, means a few things depending on how you look at it but the most important factor in my opinion is that the prospect is continuously putting in meaningful work in their off-time and that work is translating to the floor in real game-time. In this piece, we cover five individuals out of this 2026 Class in Iowa, that have embodied what it means to be a Stock-Riser these past few months.