Five 2026's That Make Everyone Else Better

One of the biggest questions that a player has to answer over their career is do they make the teammates around them better with how they compete? If so, how?   In this piece we discuss five players out of the 2026 Class that have consistently do this in one way or another.   Thanks for tuning in and enjoy!    [player_tooltip player_id='1307812' first='Bryn' last='Wright'] has been a house hold name at Mediapolis High School for a couple of years now and I'm expecting her to finish things strong this Winter. Wright recorded the most Assists for a player throughout the entire state of Iowa last Winter as a Sophomore, showing her worth in every single contest that she competed in. While doing so, she averaged low numbers in the Turnover department, making things even more impressive. This Mediapolis team is a high octane, pass first program. They understand what it means to make the extra pass in every situation. Wright leads from the front by example. Something you love to see out of your starting PG.     One of the best overall PG's that the state of Iowa has to offer moving into this Winter is [player_tooltip player_id='502101' first='Madden' last='Wilson'] of CR - Xavier High School. Wilson, a 5'6 PG, is a leader with her ability create off the dribble, her ability to tell others where they need to be and when, and her ability to control the pace of play of the game. When you have a PG that can just make things happen, it can be special and Wilson has that talent in her bag. That talent will show out this upcoming Winter and I'm sure it will follow her to the college ranks in some capacity as well.     [player_tooltip player_id='1323000' first='Kennedy' last='Stratton'] of Clear Creek Amana could be the Clippers third star this Winter as the PG position. Stratton hasn't really been spoken about up until this point because of the fire-power they have had in front of her but that changes today. Stratton could show out as the facilitator for the Clippers this Winter, something they desperately need. They currently have some talented hoopers but no one is really a PG to get those players the ball in a timely fashion. If Stratton can step up into that role early on, she should hold it for the season. She did record over 90 Assists a year ago so it's something that is more than do-able at this point.     [player_tooltip player_id='1117188' first='Pearl' last='Brown'] competes more as a SG/CG with her play-style right now but she averages some high numbers as a facilitator to those around her. She might not be their first PG option but she knows that she can score herself and she can play off of that ability. She is consistent enough as an overall player that opposing teams need to worry about her early on in contests or else she could quietly put up some numbers by halftime. As a passer, as a scorer, and as a defender. Norwalk should put up another impressive season ahead with who they have returning. If players like Brown continue to step up, they should be looking pretty good moving into the Playoffs come 2026.     Someone that competes off of two feet with a smart head on her shoulders is [player_tooltip player_id='603375' first='Ruth' last='Tauber'] of Wahlert Catholic High School. Tauber understands what she does best with her size. She has a flamethrower of an arm from deep off the catch and she can also get others around her involved at a high rate. Offensively, she knows when the defense is going to over-play her shoot and she can drive off of that into open spacing, usually always leading to an open attempt for one of her teammates. Defensively, she is solid. Quick hands and fast feet while she makes smart choices of when to go for a steal or not. All in all, Tauber is going to post some more impressive numbers this Winter starting in a month. There is no doubt about that.

One of the biggest questions that a player has to answer over their career is do they make the teammates around them better with how they compete? If so, how?