It can be difficult to keep track of all the talent waiting in the wings at Minnetonka, but McKnuckles deserves attention. The 5’10 guard offers a unique combination of size, strength and offensive creativity that provides a window into what might be possible down the road. She played with tremendous energy Sunday, but what stood out was Kaia’s growing ability to harness it, changing speeds rather than attacking every possession at the same pace. McKnuckles uses her strong frame effectively on drives, displays excellent body control and is a deceptively creative ball handler. She can also manufacture space for her perimeter shot, including a crafty side-step three. A dominant junior varsity player, McKnuckles increasingly looks ready for bigger opportunities.

With the endless depth of a program like Minnetonka, it may be a bit before we see McKnuckles at the varsity level. Regardless, the Skippers freshman has plenty of potential. Kaia, a 5’10 guard, is a versatile scorer who can score the ball from just about anywhere on the floor, her specialty being crafty drives to the basket and side-step shots from the three-point line. She averaged just under 14 points per game on JV this winter. This spring McKnuckles will suit up for Team FSA , playing alongside Tayja Chatman Tayja Chatman 5'7" | CG Totino-Grace | 2029 State MN , who was also recently added to the Class of 2029 rankings.