Janaya Cooper Janaya Cooper 5'10" | SF Fort Wayne Snider | 2028 State #22 Nation IN has already established herself as one of the top-ranked players in Indiana’s 2028 class, and her growing list of high-major offers continues to validate the attention surrounding her game. Cooper brings elite athleticism, skill, and playmaking ability that immediately stand out whenever she steps on the floor.

She is explosive offensively, capable of creating scoring opportunities for herself while also making plays for teammates. Cooper thrives attacking downhill, finishing through contact, and using her quickness to pressure defenses. Her ability to impact the game in transition makes her even more dangerous.

Defensively, Cooper competes at a high level and has the athletic tools to disrupt opposing guards. Her complete skill set and ability to control games make her one of the most exciting young players in Indiana basketball. With continued development, Cooper has the potential to become one of the faces of the state’s 2028 class.

Janaya Cooper Janaya Cooper 5'10" | SF Fort Wayne Snider | 2028 State #22 Nation IN has made significant strides since her freshman year, not only in her skill development but also physically, as she’s added strength that makes her an even tougher matchup. With her size and length at the small forward position, she consistently creates problems for defenders, whether she’s attacking the basket, finishing through contact, or using her frame to her advantage.

What stands out about Cooper is her versatility. She has the ability to score in multiple ways, impact the game on the boards, and defend at a high level thanks to her length and athleticism. As her game continues to expand, she’s becoming a more complete player who can affect winning in a variety of ways.

Her high ceiling is reflected in the level of attention she’s receiving on the recruiting trail. Cooper holds offers from programs such as Vanderbilt, Indiana, Michigan, North Carolina, and others, which speaks to her potential and continued development as one of the top prospects in the Class of 2028.

Janaya is the top Sophomore prospect in the state at this time, and she is the youngest member of this Team Indiana based on graduating class. She is extremely athletic, strong for her age, and she is rapidly developing her perimeter skillset. Where she helps this unit is with her athleticism and ability to make plays other girls just can’t. She brings energy, toughness, and grit, and she can be an elite defender when she plays with urgency at that end of the floor. She holds several mid to high-major Division I offers, including one from Notre Dame, and she is leading Snider at 19.2 points and 6.8 rebounds per game.

It was great to see  Janaya Cooper Janaya Cooper 5'10" | SF Fort Wayne Snider | 2028 State #22 Nation IN  back on the court with Fort Wayne Snider, and she immediately showed why she is the team’s floor leader. Offensively, Cooper controlled the game, consistently finding her spots to score—whether attacking the rim, pulling up for mid-range jumpers, or hitting shots from beyond the arc. Her court vision stood out as she created opportunities for teammates, setting others up to score and keeping the defense off balance.

Defensively, Cooper applied constant pressure on the ball, disrupted passing lanes, and stayed active in transition, helping her team control the pace. She led by example, setting the tone with her energy, poise, and basketball IQ. Cooper finished with a game-high 30 points, but her influence went far beyond the stat sheet, demonstrating why she is a complete player and a critical piece of Snider’s success moving forward.

Janaya’s combination of length, skill, and composure was impressive as she really showed off that versatility this weekend. She made a statement early with a strong defensive block and continued showing great feel for the game on both ends of the floor. Her shot was smooth from multiple levels, and she delivered accurate passes with nice touch. Cooper also rebounded really well for her position, handled pressure with confidence, and pushed the ball with good pace in transition.

Janaya put together another standout AAU season, leading her AAU squad in scoring and ranking among the top scorers on the 3SSB 15U circuit at 17.2 points per game. Her play has earned her multiple Division I offers from programs including Indiana, Mississippi State, Ohio State, Butler, and others. Over the past year, she has added muscle and new dimensions to her game, pairing her length with a smooth mid-range jumper. With her continued development at Fort Wayne Snider, Janaya is building a strong case to be considered for Indiana Miss Basketball within the next three years.

Janaya came into the 2024-2025 season with some fanfare because of her elite level athleticism. Then she picked up an offer from the University of Notre Dame around Christmas, and she finished the season playing outstandingly. She has such good balance, start & stop ability, and bounce. As she continues to develop her handle and make her perimeter jumper more consistent, watch out, because she already has the athletic tools to succeed.