There’s a joy to seeing everything come together for a kid, and that’s happened for Thompson this grassroots season. She’s always been a physical kid who plays hard when she’s on the floor. However, she’s in the best shape I’ve seen her in, is comfortable finishing with both hands, can attack off the dribble, and is a player who can set a physical tone on both ends of the floor. She’s a kid who plays with a chip on her shoulder, and she’s been one of the most improved players I’ve seen from her sophomore season to her grassroots season with Wisconsin Legends .

The 2026 grassroots season is my fifth trip around the Midwest and beyond following the progress of players from our state, and the improvement Thompson has shown since the start of the year may be the most drastic I’ve seen. Thompson has put together an excellent few months playing for Wisconsin Legends , and she’s bought into doing what makes her an eye-catching prospect. She’s physical, skilled, and she’s playing with as much confidence as I’ve ever seen from her.

Every time I get the opportunity to watch the incoming Bay Port junior she adds a new wrinkle to her game. Last summer it was a more consistent outside touch where that translated to a 31.2% from deep during the varsity season. This summer, her court vision looks to be improved keeping whoever has to guard the 6-1 Thompson, on their toes, due to her unselfishness and pinpoint passing ability. Last season she averaged 11.1 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 2.4 assists but looks poised to take over the star mantle from the graduated Melia Lemorande.

The Bay Port forward has put together an excellent three months of basketball in the grassroots season and was impressive in Appleton over the past few days. She has an edge to her game that you see every time she’s on the floor, and she’s developed her skill set over the past few years. She had one move in particular that was impressive. Thompson made a play where she jabbed to the right, attacked with her left hand, and finished with her left hand in the lane.

The past few months have contained the best basketball I’ve ever seen Thompson play. She was a player I discussed before the weekend, and she looked excellent in the minutes I saw her play. She looked like she had a burst off the dribble, rebounded well, was physical around the basket, and even knocked down a three within the flow of her team’s offense. She may be a player who coaches are surprised by if they see her play sometime in June or July.

I feel the Thompson I saw in January is not the same player I saw a few months ago. The Bay Port forward played some of the best basketball I’ve seen her play in New Berlin at an earlier PGH event, and she looks more comfortable being the player she is than she has ever been. The more physicality she brings to the frontcourt, the better she will be in the long run, and she plays with a chip on her shoulder and seems to be taking every matchup she has as personal as ever.

The Bay Port forward has turned a corner in the last three months and is playing the best basketball I’ve ever seen her play. She is playing hard whenever she’s on the floor and being a physical presence around the basket. She is buying into being a post player who can control the area around the basket. Thompson seems to have found the right place for her to thrive with Wisconsin Legends , and will be a name to know in her class.

Kailynn, a fast-rising Sophomore, put on an impressive showing, at the Expo. She really made her presence known, on defense, changing or altering several shots effectively shutting down the opposing team’s inside game. Already one of the state’s better post players, she showed off her speed, on one play, chasing down a fast break and blocking the shot from behind.

As mentioned, in a previous article, I came away impressed with Kailynn. She’s a strong, aggressive post player that showed a nice touch, around the basket, and is equally capable of finishing with either hand. Establishes strong post position and is tough to stop when she gets the ball on the block.