This past weekend at our first live period of the Spring, Malaina Hackley Malaina Hackley 5'0" | PG Roosevelt | 2026 State IA showed out as a top performance at the UJSN Windy City Classic. Hackley would be described as a fast-twitch, smooth Point Guard, that can pass at an elite rate, while also being able to finish around the rim when she has an open look. Hackley is a prospect out of the 2026 Class in Iowa and she is going to have a chance to make her mark on the hardwood this Winter at Roosevelt High School. If she can come in and compete right away, I’m sure she will be a Day 1 starter, showing her worth almost immediately. This past weekend, Hackley was essential in her team’s success. She was doing her usual thing producing with the ball in her hands, always making the right choice when it boiled down to it. A promising start to her AAU season, that I’m sure she can build on moving forward into May.

From an evaluation stand point, Hackley is one of the best passers throughout the State of Iowa, regardless of Class or Age group. She is a shorter player, that understands her role within her team and she is always willing to help out a fellow teammate. Hackley is elite in her knowledge of the game. She understands that she has to do certain things, that others don’t because of her size and she doesn’t let that get to her. I was very confused as to why she didn’t receive a jersey last season on her Varsity roster as she was clearly better then some of the other prospects that were put in front of her but she didn’t let that impact her. She stayed positive and kept on working. With whatever team she is on within this program, she should have some really nice moments. This is a prospect that I would personally recommend to any college coach at the D3 level right now. She makes the most with the chances she see’s the floor and I hope that she continues to keep this positive outlook on things. If she can keep that up, she is going to be in winner in life and that’s all that matters.

The best passer in the state that you haven’t seen yet. I’m confident in saying that I have not seen a better passer at the high school level throughout Iowa than Malaina Hackley Malaina Hackley 5'0" | PG Roosevelt | 2026 State IA and she isn’t even on a varsity roster yet. Hackley is the definition of a pass-first PG. She has a powerful handle with the ball on a string helping her create off of the dribble and she is selfless enough with great vision to always find an open teammate. When you watch Hackley play, it stands out to you that she isn’t the tallest player on the floor but I actually think it helps her. She has the ability to make bounce passes across the court that I’ve only seen at the collegiate level because of her knowledge and the coordination needed to make it work. I’m not sure if we will see Hackley with a varsity jersey on to start their Playoff run in a few weeks but we should. She is certainly good enough.

This next player isn’t on a varsity roster this season but she is such a good creator and passer, I had to include her. The individual that I am talking about is Malaina Hackley Malaina Hackley 5'0" | PG Roosevelt | 2026 State IA of Ankeny. Hackley only stands at 5’0, so her dribble and passing ability needs to be spot on or else longer defenders will tip the ball. In the events that I saw Hackley perform in prior to this season, she was tearing up her opponent off of the dribble, usually ending the play with a nasty bounce pass to an open teammate on the other side of the floor. Hackley won’t get a chance till next season is what it’s looking like but let me tell you, she is one of the best passers in the entire state, no questions asked.

I first had the chance of seeing Malaina Hackley Malaina Hackley 5'0" | PG Roosevelt | 2026 State IA perform at our PGH IA Top 250 last month and I was impressed by her performance. After that and seeing the film from this past weekend, I am confident in saying that Hackley is one of the best passers in the state. She maybe undersized but she makes up for it with her passing ability and knowledge of the game.To be a great passer, you need to understand timing, situations, and your own ability to a T. Not to mention, there aren’t many 1 on 1 situations, guard wise, where I would pick another player to stop Hackley in the open court. Just to stay in front of her is a challenge, never-mind about the passing stuff. This winter is going be intense across high school basketball. A lot of players are really locked in, including Hackley, and because of that, the competition level should be at an all time high.