2024 Rankings Update: The big stock risers

So many of Minnesota's leading college prospects have improved their games this spring and summer. That's what it's all about – put in the work, show off your skills, reap the rewards. Nowhere is that more evident than among the state's top incoming juniors. As we update the Prep Girls Hoops Class of 2024 rankings these are the players who have raised their stock the most since the list was last revised in February. Prospects are listed in the order of the number of positions they have moved up this time around.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/10/131-Alexis-Rose.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-338522" width="512" height="342" /><figcaption>[player_tooltip player_id="304938" first="Alexis" last="Rose"] of Becker</figcaption></figure>   +32 – [player_tooltip player_id="304938" first="Alexis" last="Rose"] (#30) – The point guard from Becker (Comets Elite) made a positive impression last AAU season which earned her a spot in the PGH rankings at #85. During the high school season she stepped into the starting point guard spot for the Bulldogs following the graduation of Julia Bengtson (Eastern Illinois), earning herself a promotion to #62 in February. This summer she has raised her game exponentially and now moves up 32 positions to #30.   +31 – [player_tooltip player_id="339107" first="Jordyn" last="Schmittdiel"] (#77) – This winter the uber-athletic guard truly made an impact, helping White Bear Lake make an improbable run to the state high school tournament. We had been waiting for all of the pieces of the puzzle to come together for Jordyn, who is one of the most gifted players in the class. The MN P.R.E.P. guard has a high ceiling long-term. Schmittdiel's decision-making has improved and her basketball IQ has grown, helping her move up 31 places to #77.   +29 – [player_tooltip player_id="339197" first="Olivia" last="Wren"] (#78) – The Prep Girls Hoops Circuit offers an excellent opportunity for players to enhance their profile while competing against solid competition from multiple states in front of plenty of eyeballs. Olivia has certainly made the most of that opportunity as her MN Diamond Elite squad has generated a ton of buzz around the region. The guard from Minneapolis Roosevelt is quick, athletic and skilled, and she has earned a move from #107 to #78.   +28 – [player_tooltip player_id="339129" first="Ja'Kahla" last="Craft"] (#22) – The guard from St. Michael-Albertville has had an incredible 12 months since joining the Knights last fall. This summer she has continued her evolution as a prospect, playing up a year on Metro Stars 2023 Pryor where she has been a key piece on a truly impressive team. Craft was first ranked last fall at #81, moved all the way up to the Top 50 in February, and now rises another 28 positions to #22. She received her first Division 1 offer recently with more to come.   +27 – [player_tooltip player_id="302307" first="Elisabeth" last="Gadient"]  (#27) – Right from the get-go, Fury 2024 Premier has been an impressive group of long, skilled athletes with very bright futures. Over the past few months, Elisabeth has risen above the pack with her skilled offensive execution and unflappable demeanor. Gadient just exudes confidence and her game has matured every step of the way. We should probably have moved her up sooner. The 5'10 point guard from Goodhue rises 27 positions to #27.   +26 – [player_tooltip player_id="392470" first="Kristen" last="Watson"] (#101) – Hayfield has been a strong program for a long time now and the Vikings' latest iteration of success is led by Watson, a crafty point guard who plays with some moxie and has the skills to make everyone on her team better. We certainly saw that at the state high school tournament where the diminutive floor general demonstrated her high-energy style, on-court leadership abilities, and the fact that size isn't everything. Watson rises from #126 to #101.   +23 – [player_tooltip player_id="350094" first="Mariah" last="Pates"] (#48) – It can take some time for players to “grow into their bodies” as coaches like to describe it. At about 6'2, with a prodigious wingspan, the uber-lengthy Pates has now crossed the threshold where her body is doing what she wants it to do when she wants to do it. Mariah's time has come and the forward/wing from Champlin Park (MN P.R.E.P.) has made it clear that she is a scholarship-level prospect. Just how high she goes has yet to be determined. She moves into the Top 50, going from #71 to #48.   +22 – [player_tooltip player_id="304936" first="Madison" last="Malecha"] (#79) – If you read our recent coverage of the Mill City Invitational then you know just how much Madison has improved over the past few months. The Burnsville forward has been dominant all summer for Crossfire Corley, parlaying her superior athleticism, nice length and size-large motor into a solid all-around package that should translate well to the next level. Madison moves up accordingly, rising from #101 to #79.   +15 –[player_tooltip player_id="304893" first="Lilly" last="Hahs"] (#52) – Speaking of big motors, exceptional athleticism and high-energy performers, Lilly was also a Mill City standout. In fact the guard from Cretin-Derham Hall in St. Paul has been outstanding all summer for Metro Stars 2024. She helps set the tone for her team with her physical presence and the type of take-no-prisoners approach to the game that is so appealing to college coaches. The 5'10 junior-to-be improves from #67 to #52.   +14 – [player_tooltip player_id="215983" first="Drew" last="Buslee"] (#29) – Like Hahs, Buslee has been crucial to the Metro Stars' success, not just this year but every year she has been there. A varsity standout since junior high, Buslee's physical development has now taken her game to a new level. She's just so strong. Her mental game is equally good as the floor general can be relied upon every time out. The point guard from Eagan is now in our Top 30, improving from #43 to #29.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/10/165-Anna-Vaaler.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-338549" width="512" height="342" /><figcaption>[player_tooltip player_id="304892" first="Anna" last="Vaaler"] of Andover</figcaption></figure>   10 MORE NOTABLE STOCK RISERS   +10 – [player_tooltip player_id="302300" first="Kylan" last="Gerads"] – Albany (Comets Elite) #36 to #26   +10 – [player_tooltip player_id="304934" first="Ava" last="Miller"] – Rochester Mayo (North Tartan Elite) #90 to #80   +10 – [player_tooltip player_id="350102" first="Gabi" last="Kirchner"] – Two Rivers (Minnesota Stars Zabel) #114 to #104   +10 – [player_tooltip player_id="350440" first="Sarah" last="Best"] – Wayzata (Crossfire Blue Star) #124 to #114   +8 – [player_tooltip player_id="304892" first="Anna" last="Vaaler"] – Andover (Fury 2024 Premier) #45 to #37   +8 – [player_tooltip player_id="302310" first="Aubrey" last="Heyer"]– Chaska (Fury 2024 Premier) #63 to #55   +8 – [player_tooltip player_id="304937" first="Brea" last="Mertz"] – Sleepy Eye (MN Rise Purfeerst) #94 to #86   +7 – [player_tooltip player_id="350108" first="Anna" last="Goodman"] – Lakeville South (North Tartan Elite) #119 to #112   +7 – [player_tooltip player_id="392472" first="Cece" last="Nesseth"] – Minnetonka (North Tartan Elite) #129 to #122   +6 – [player_tooltip player_id="304935" first="Berkley" last="Neubauer"] – Holy Family (Crossfire Blue Star) #106 to #100

So many of Minnesota's leading college prospects have improved their games this spring and summer. That's what it's all about – put in the work, show off your skills, reap the rewards. Nowhere is that more evident than among the state's top incoming juniors. As we update the Prep Girls Hoops Class of 2024 rankings these are the players who have raised their stock the most since the list was last revised in February. Prospects are listed in the order of the number of positions they have moved up this time around.