Jada Maples Jada Maples 5'9" | CG Earle | 2026 State #116 Nation AR has been one of the state’s best players for the last few years, and now she is prepared to play in her final high school game before she heads off to play in the SEC for Missouri.

Maples is one of the most versatile scorers you will ever come across for the guard position. She can hit from mid-range, three, and in the lane, all with precision and ease. There is no defender who can truly give her trouble, as she can dice up anyone with her smooth crossover and flexible shot release.

In the title game last season, Maples did more than just score, as she dominated the glass, something that often gets overlooked in her game. That plays along with her excellent defensive ability, making her the total package when it comes to superstars.

Westside has some good defenders, and even though they won last year, I don’t know if they have enough to stop Jada Maples Jada Maples 5'9" | CG Earle | 2026 State #116 Nation AR and her fellow superstar guard this time around.

Scoring Guard/Forward. The Missouri signee is a matchup nightmare because she can play on the perimeter and down low. She loves to attack from the perimeter and can shoot the mid range jumper. If she gets all the way to the basket, it’s more than likely going in because she shoots at such an efficient rate. 

Scoring Guard recently committed to Missouri. She is ranked #2 in Prep Girls Hoops Arkansas 2026 Class Overall Rankings and #1 Combo Guard.

Jada Maples Jada Maples 5'9" | CG Earle | 2026 State #116 Nation AR has been in the top 3 of this class for the last several ranking updates. That does not change as she stands at #2 in the class.

Maples is a versatile guard who is essentially unstoppable with the ball in her hands. She can knock down the big shots from the perimeter, pull up and hit jumpers over defenders from mid-range, or attack the basket and finish at the rack.

Maples has an impressive offer list, with recent schools seeking her out such as Kentucky, Texas A&M, and Clemson. UT-Arlington, UAPB, Virginia Tech, Cleveland State, Charlotte, and Southern Mississippi have also sent her offers.

Jada Maples Jada Maples 5'9" | CG Earle | 2026 State #116 Nation AR is consistently one of the top players in the 1A classification and I doubt that changes in 2025-26.

The top 3 positions of the 2026 ranking are essentially interchangeable. It is hard to pick who is the best player out of the bunch, but this performance by Jada Maples Jada Maples 5'9" | CG Earle | 2026 State #116 Nation AR proves why she should be in the conversation for the top player in the class.

Westside was powerless against Maples as she could do no wrong. She put up 31 points, all from inside the arc, and pulled down a ridiculous 20 rebounds. She also added 2 assists, 7 steals, and 3 blocks to her incredible statline. 

Scoring-wise, Maples was getting to the basket with ease. Westside is a tough defensive team, and they forced Maples to hit only 12 of her 33 shot attempts. However, her 4 offensive rebounds show that she was not willing to give up on a play, providing herself with extra scoring opportunities. 

On the opposite end of the floor, Maples accounted for 54% of Earle’s total rebounding. The Lady Bulldogs were heavily outrebounded by Westside, but not because of this incoming senior. If she was not grabbing rebounds, she was stripping ball-handlers and poking away passes. If her assignment got past her, she was able to recover and swat their shots away.

There is a reason why Jada Maples Jada Maples 5'9" | CG Earle | 2026 State #116 Nation AR has multiple Division I offers even at a 1A school. We all knew she could score at a high level, but now we know she is an elite rebounder and defender.

Jada Maples Jada Maples 5'9" | CG Earle | 2026 State #116 Nation AR is one of the best players in the state of Arkansas for a number of reasons. She has at least 9 Division I schools calling after her, with her most recent offer coming from Clemson. She is also one of the best two-way players in her class.

Maples is mostly known for her scoring, which is outstanding. If the defense does not put a hand up, she will raise up and knock down a jumper from three or mid-range. If the defense decides to play her too closely on the perimeter, she can fly by them and get to the rim. For those of you who have kept up with 1A basketball, you already know what she can do on offense, but I have been impressed with her defense.

Maples seems taller than 5’9″, as she can block shots with ferocity. Her long wingspan and bounce allow her to dominate the boards and disrupt passing lanes. Of course, if you show her the ball, she will rip it from your grasp and take it the other way.

Jada Maples Jada Maples 5'9" | CG Earle | 2026 State #116 Nation AR is coming off a 20-point game against Jasper in the semis and I would not be surprised if she did that again in the championship.

I do not usually highlight players who are already highly rated on this site, but it is hard to not talk about Jada Maples Jada Maples 5'9" | CG Earle | 2026 State #116 Nation AR . Maples is by far the most accomplished 1A player in the state, and one of the most noteworthy of all Arkansas players. She has already picked up offers from Virginia Tech, Cleveland State, Texas-Arlington, Charlotte, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Southern Mississippi and more! Of course, they are all Division I schools, and there is a good chance that she racks up more offers as a junior.

In my mind, Maples was ready for D1 basketball as a sophomore. Wherever she goes, I imagine they will bring her in as a scorer, and for good reason, as she can get to any spot she wants and do anything she wants on the court. Her isolation game is second to none, and if you have the misfortune to be on Maples island…sorry…you are stranded and no one is coming to save you.

Maples’ handle, quick first step, length, and athleticism allow her to move around the court with the ball so effortlessly. She can slice and dice her way into the paint and score at the rim, or she can back it out and hit contested mid-range pull-ups and step-backs. On the perimeter, if she is not driving past you, then she is likely stepping back and shooting over you, nailing three after three.

Jada Maples Jada Maples 5'9" | CG Earle | 2026 State #116 Nation AR is too good, and now that Earle High School is dropping from the 2A-3 to the 1A-3, expect her to feast on everything the opposition throws at her.

Oh, and I have to say, Maples is a top 2 player in the 2026 class, but not 2.