Projection is an interesting discussion in sports. It can be defined as realizing one’s potential, a respective player’s talent ceiling, and sometimes it is viewed as who a player may resemble in the way they play or the measurable tools they possess.
The Top 12 regardless of class has more of a projection element weighed than simply talent and play evaluation. It is different than a ranking. I’ve explained our ranking philosophy in the past as:
In the rankings there are a handful of things that are considered and deliberated: skill, athleticism, size, production and statistics, impact on winning now and at the next level, projection in regards to all of the above, consistency, and the current impact on the game within the given class as compared only to peers (regardless of projected potential). There is a “total résumé” aspect to rankings of players in a given class for that snapshot in time.
Regarding projection, we must peer high school to college and beyond, taking a look at WNBA and professional potential. And with that are some outright physical characteristics that are undeniably necessary. There is a physicality and ruggedness to the professional leagues that are requisites for membership and success: size and strength, consistency, basketball intelligence, an elite skill level, and impact on winning are huge indicators.
Disclaimer: this is an inexact science and it is an opinion based on experience and years of observation, coaching, and learning. The game evolves and has different patterns emerge in how it’s played. Gone are the days of anchoring bigs in the paint and lack of spacing. Versatility, pace, and decision making are here to stay – a more perimeter-oriented game. This demands more of a player’s capacity in terms of competencies on the floor. In order to maintain the strong base of fundamental skills and the consistency to perform while displaying situational awareness and performative consistency, a player has to be very good.
To provide context, the WNBA is expected to expand from 12 teams to 16 teams by 2028 (Golden State, Toronto, Portland and one more city to be determined.) This means there are almost 50 more spots opening up at the professional level over the course of the next 50 months. The new WNBA collective bargaining agreement (anticipated in 2026, due to players opting out of the current agreement) will bring more lucrative salaries, television appearances and therefore marketing opportunities, and higher income generated by women’s basketball.
Franchises are paying attention to a player’s consistent habits and impact on winning earlier than ever. The world of NIL attention has also thrust these players into constant limelight – whether it’s silly TikTok videos that draw massive followings or major business deals like JuJu Watkins’ recently reported Nike extension. These players are small business entities and are scrutinized as such. The foundation of the business for most players is their performance on the court. The potential must be realized and the foundation is laid down early in formative years of development.
Raising the floor of these players’ games is paramount. So, projection does not mean arrival. It means potential – and in some cases, expectation. These next few classes have unquestionable talent, but it does not appear that we have any dominant outliers like Maya Moore, Breanna Stewart, or Aj’a Wilson amongst them. Development is going to be key, especially as we have fewer and fewer dominant bigs. The global game is changing and there must be a focus on skills and mental acumen further adopted in our grassroots and collegiate experience.
In sticking with the theme of future WNBA expansion numbers (16), we chose a top 12 regardless of class (the number of picks there were in the 2024 draft) plus four more players of mention for a total of 16 – projecting the number of first round picks by 2028. Rather than focusing on a ranking with this more in-depth look, the list is alphabetical. Their respective future development will be very impactful on their basketball futures.
Let’s take a look at the players who currently project from high school to college to the WNBA most favorably:
*Special thanks to Jason Key and “Basketball Bob” Corwin and numerous college coaches for the discussion and debate plus the wisdom of a few WNBA GM’s as the thoughts were formulated for this article.
Sienna Betts
2025 ESPN 100 ranking: 2 | P/F | 6-foot-4 | Grandview HS (CO) | UCLA
Betts is a new-age five player. No longer do they just roam the paint on both ends running rim to rim and wrestling inside. They are asked to do more now in a more spaced-out game – trailing the break and making decisions upon ball reversal or shooting the three, to ball screen coverages away from the rim defensively to the occasional switching as well. Betts can do all of these things. She is the most dominant post-up player in the country and not only can she score it down low, she reads the defensive schemes and double-teams of opponents and passes well out of those situations. She is adept in the face up game and has one on one moves to prove it. She thinks the game well, sees the floor, and of course controls the glass and the paint on both ends. In her high school and club play, she is in triple-double range game in and game out.
What can she add?
In looking to the future and anticipation of playing against other bigs from all over the world, Betts will have to learn to counter to her right hand on different finishes around the rim. The scouting report now says to sit on her right shoulder/left hand and often she is pretty insistent on getting back to that left hand predictably. She will gain some experience in different defensive coverages too – nuanced things to be effective and learning how to avoid fouling away from the rim when asked to do those things. Although it is clearly developing, she can add consistency outside the three-point line as a spacer to really reach her best.
Kaelyn Carroll
2025 ESPN 100 ranking: 15 | W/F | 6-foot-3 | Tabor Academy (MA) | Kentucky
Carroll has worked to become one of the most versatile players in the country. Her footwork, handle, and ability to get to the rim are a very unique combination. She hunts threes and gets them off from relocation or even creating space off the dribble. She can receive the screen or be the screener in the pick and roll game. She has become physical in her takes to the rim and finds ways to finish over defenders or gets to the free throw line effectively. She plays the game with a joy and a fearlessness that will serve her well as she elevates to new levels going forward. She is a savvy defender and solid passer because she reads the floor well.
What can she add?
Carroll will need to continue to add strength as part of versatility is that she will match up with a variety of players, including extremely strong and athletic forwards. She has added some wiggle to her play off the bounce, but she will become even better of a scorer when she adds more mid-range attack to her game. With a little footwork, understanding of angles and body placement, and elevation – she can add some very lethal face up game from the post to the pinch post and also force indecisive close out situations.
Aaliyah Chavez
2025 ESPN 100 ranking: 1 | G | 5-foot-11 | Lubbock Monterey HS (TX) | Uncommitted
Chavez is one of the premier shot makers in the country. No matter the moment, she is beyond prepared to take the big shots – closing seconds, momentum swings, and heat checks alike. She has a gritty presence on the floor and is not afraid to take the bumps and physicality that come with being high on the opponent’s scouting report. She has the range on her threes to keep the defense honest just beyond half court, the skills to create mid-range shots for herself, and the touch to finish in the paint in several ways. Almost as impressive as her threat from deep is her free throw making consistency which is very valuable as a scorer.
What can she add?
There are some defensive concerns when talking projection beyond talent with Chavez. A lot more attention gets paid to that end of the floor as players level up and the responsibility is more than on ball defense or getting steals in presses. Offensively, she will have to pick and choose her moments a bit better while being intentional about setting up teammates or making them better on the floor.
Jasmine Davidson
2025 ESPN 100 ranking: 3 | G | 6-foot-1 | Clackamas HS (OR) | USC
Davidson is the most complete perimeter player at the high school level right now. And the scary thing is as she gains more physical strength, there is still more room to grow. Bouncy, long, agile, and super skilled, Jazzy is the whole package. She is smooth slashing to the rim, knows how to create space for her jumper all the way out beyond the three, and sees the court like a floor general. Maybe most impressively is that in the last year she has become a lock down defender – using her physical tools and her high IQ to do what it takes to maneuver and guard the opponent’s best guard. Davidson talks the game well, processes information, and has the drive to be great – huge assets.
What can she add?
As mentioned, Davidson will have to add some strength to her frame as she climbs the levels of basketball. Opponents will get in her feet and be physical with her so adding some muscle to her base as well as core strength will be key – very controllable things. As a lefty she has a tendency to want to get back to her dominant hand (not uncommon) that she will need to balance out a bit. And, this sounds maybe counterintuitive but, sometimes she needs to keep things simpler than she does. For example, as a tall bouncy guard sometimes she can just rise up and shoot the jumper rather than trying to force her way all the way to the rim. She can and will become more consistent from the three (solid as is) and when these things happen – Jazzy will play this game for a long time.
Oliviyah Edwards
2026 ESPN 100 ranking: 4 | F | 6-foot-3 | Elite Sports Academy (WA) | Uncommitted
Edwards is as physically gifted as any player in the country and with an intriguing skill set. This makes her comfortably projectable into the future of this game. From the viral two-hand dunks to the side-step pull up jumpers, Edwards can do things not many can do on the basketball court. Agile and elite athletically, the potential is undeniable. She rebounds ferociously, blocks shots with either hand, drives the ball to the rim – and balances it out with the ability to shoot the ball from range. Defensively, she is a versatile asset with the talent to guard any position on the floor. Her fundamental instinct to play off two feet around the rim is far advanced and helps her with consistency around, and above, the rim.
What can she add?
Consistency and assertiveness. It takes five minutes to notice the talent in which she possesses. But sometimes, as quick as that is to identify, she can float and become a non-factor for portions of a game. Now, some of this is due to other players not having the experience or knowledge to help make her better or put her in position to dominate – some of that is on them and some of that needs to be demanded by her coaches. However, there are many ways to impact a game and even if she is not being set up to do so, she must still do the controllable things to stay engaged – activity level, rebounding on both ends, sprinting the floor – and to affect winning, the ultimate measure of a player.
Saniyah Hall
2026 ESPN 100 ranking: 1 | G | 6-foot | Montverde Academy (FL) | Uncommitted
Hall walks, talks, and acts like a hooper in everything she does. She just looks like she’s in the right place with the ball in her hands. A big guard with a creative handle, Hall is the ultimate scorer. She can create off the bounce, catch and shoot the three, and glide to the rim or power finish with contact. She is savvy and gets to the free throw line well, and even has some post-up game and an old school fadeaway jumper to add to all of that. Hall’s length and strong base and her ability to get down in a deep defensive stance help her on the other end. She made the decision to transfer to Montverde Academy to face a more challenging schedule and day to day routine, which should sharpen her all-around game.
What can she add?
Consistency is key and Hall can occasionally float in matchups that do not challenge her much. She is very comfortable with the ball in her hands, but there is a lot of game to be explored in the details of learning things about playing without the ball in her hands. Just like many young players, there is a way to go defensively – in terms of her reaching her potential. She can crank things up in the intensity department and the move to Montverde will help her in that regard.
Kate Harpring
2026 ESPN 100 ranking: 2 | G | 5-foot-10 | Marist School (GA) | Uncommitted
Like Agot Makeer in the 2025 class, Harpring had the most impressive stock rising year in the 2026 class. She has been a powerful and aggressive guard since she came on the scene, but her detailed growth in the last year has been masterful. Harpring is strong and physical at the guard position allowing her to take contact both as an offensive player and as a defender. She is able to get down in stance, move her feet, and “chest up” to ballhandlers going to the rim or trying to use ball screens to avoid fouling and keep them in front of her positionally. Offensively, she has added wiggle to her handle and subtle change of pace moves that help her to counter her defender in a variety of ways. She is patient and poised around the rim and will get to the cup or pivot for a turnaround jumper. Her combination of speed in transition plus her ability to hit the three at a high percentage now make her a very tough cover. Her competitive will and love for the game really stand out. She has the potential to play a combo type of role on any team – attacking as a scorer or facilitating as a lead guard. The bottom line is she gets the assignment done.
What can she add?
If we are discussing building blocks for the future, it takes some details to get there amongst the elite – a concept lost on many players, coaches, and trainers in today’s culture. Kate can add some comfort to the use of her left hand while dribbling – which is now fundamental, but can improve. She will add the ability to create space off the bounce to create the mid-range jump shot. Right now, its shot or drive to the rim mostly. The pull up is obviously there, but she can add the ability to create the middy jumper in small space to further manipulate defenses which can open things up for her and teammates on the floor. She can hunt the three-point shot a bit more too, something vital as she takes things to new levels. The shot is there, it’s the comfort and outright confidence that will come from deep.
Agot Makeer
2025 ESPN 100 ranking: 4 | W | 6-foot-1 | Montverde Academy (FL) | Uncommitted
Arguably no one in her class has had a more stock-rising year that Agot Makeer. In the summer of 2023 with several of her Kia Nurse Elite teammates gone playing for different levels of Canadian National teams, Makeer stood out as an ambitious slasher with an advanced handle at her size and length. She would make a couple of plays a game in transition that were noteworthy and demanded the monitoring of her development. Fast forward to the high school season and into the spring, and she had turned herself into a far more complete player on both ends – often times playing the lead guard for her high school squad and then turning around and guarding whomever necessary on the other end. The biggest improvement came in her perimeter shooting where, at times, it seemed like she was on a season long hot streak. She left a major impression this summer in the U17 World Cup event with Canada, and all signs point to her continuing her drive for improvement at Montverde Academy for her senior season.
What can she add?
Tall and long like Jasmine Davidson, Makeer will need to add strength in the same ways. This will allow her to take some of the physicality she will inevitably face at the rim and also will help her tighten up her handle. With her versatility, her future could see her play at multiple positions so a focus on some face up or pinch post game as well as rebounding effort will help her reach her potential as one of those do-it-all players.
Jerzy Robinson
2026 ESPN 100 ranking: 3 | G | 6-foot | Sierra Canyon HS (CA) | Uncommitted
Robinson is a multi-faceted perimeter player who steps on the floor with a primary focus: scoring. Physically imposing with her strong base and sturdy frame, Robinson plays the game with the utmost confidence and aggression. She finishes well with contact and has a mid-range pull up that she patiently gets to in the half court or in transition. Jerzy’s ability to shoot the three has improved over the last year and her post up ability is a unique skill. She pursues boards on both ends and bullies her way to extra opportunities in that fashion, particularly at the free throw line. She has also proven she can facilitate when she wants to. The drive to win should help her confront some things to invest in her future development.
What can she add?
As the game is becoming more and more perimeter oriented, facilitation and efficiency among the guards will be a separator. As mentioned, Jerzy has facilitation elements to her game and has shown it in different settings, but this has to become a bit more constant. Although aggressiveness is a strong trait, the volume of shots it takes to produce numbers sometimes needs to be examined and adjusted – there are just better shots on the floor when the ball moves and the offense is balanced (amongst the best players, sometimes in high school players do not have that luxury). Some of these things can be done through shot selection and some with some small tweaks to her shooting form allowing for more consistency. Much like many young guards who are a notch above the rest, trusting teammates and the flow of the game is something that has to be practiced like any other fundamental element of the game.
Kaleena Smith
2027 ESPN 100 ranking: 1 | G | 5-foot-6 | Ontario Christian (CA) | Uncommitted
Being a small guard with such huge production numbers makes Kaleena Smith immediately noticeable on the floor. The ball is in her hands a lot as she guides the way for her teams, navigating different defensive pressures and game plans. Although her shooting percentages and scoring averages are outstanding, it is the way she sets the table for others that makes her stand out to experienced observers. Smith has a high assist/turnover ratio: a cumulative 3.6 : 1 in this year’s 17U EYBL circuit stops. Players run the floor, post harder, and anticipate receiving the ball to finish easy plays because of her consistency in delivering the ball to them on time. She has the ball on a string, changes pace better than almost anyone in the country, and knows how to create her own offense from deep or close range.
What can she add?
Although being a smaller guard has its physical limitations, Smith overcomes those things with skill, poise, and persistence. However, as she climbs the ranks and prepares for future levels, adding strength will be key as defenses will be physical with her. Also, learning and trusting how to get off the ball a bit earlier – and believing in the fact that the gravity she brings to the floor because of her shooting ability will help her teammates just the same, but will also allow her to take less of a physical pounding as when she constantly has the ball in hand. Also, as someone who has such a high understanding of the game and is a natural point guard with extraordinary scoring ability – she will need to find a voice on the court that will help guide her teammates as well.
Lara Somfai
2025 ESPN 100 ranking: 16 | F | 6-foot-4 | IMG Academy | Stanford
Somfai has the very unique combination of skills, physicality, and agility as any player in her age group in the world. Standing at a long and broad 6-foot-4, she has the coordination of a perimeter player’s handle and the strength of a post player inside. She has incredible footwork to couple with her handle that has more of a wiggle and shake to it than first meets the eye. Somfai has a nice touch out beyond the three-point line and the court vision to lead the break or create in the half court. Despite her advantageous size, she does not need much space to create a shot or drive to the rim. Her face up game footwork is superb and her deceleration and patience around the rim is well beyond her years. Defensively, she can play in a multitude of systems and guard anyone on the floor for a number of possessions. A native of Hungary who spent her formative years in Australia and playing in numerous FIBA competitions, Somfai has the basketball experience of a savvy veteran.
What can she add?
As she continues to climb the ranks, Lara will learn to maintain consistency in the elevation on her jumper – an added detail to an existing quality asset. As she adjusted to more play in the States early on, it was evident the speed was something in which to adjust, and occasionally, Somfai gets a little in a rush – particularly on perimeter actions. As she allows those moments of the game to come to her, she will make more shots and her production will increase.
Olivia Vukosa
2026 ESPN 100 ranking: 5 | F/P | 6-foot-4 | Christ the King (NY) | Uncommitted
Vukosa is a nimble forward/post that is comfortable in many facets of the game. She has an advanced handle for her size and is comfortable shooting the three. She does most of her damage on the glass and in and around the paint, but in games she will always show something that wows onlookers from the perimeter whether it’s a play off the bounce or pushing the ball off of a defensive rebound. She sees the floor well and can pass out of double teams effectively and facilitate as the trail in the break. Vukosa has played for Croatia in the past two summers in FIBA competitions and has been statistically dominant.
What can she add?
There are some technical aspects to her game that Vukosa must adjust as she prepares for the next levels. Defensive footwork and technique, particularly in post defense, are vital. Playing with high hands while moving her feet to avoid cheap fouls would help as well as her stance when switched on to smaller players on the perimeter. Although she has nice touch, her release needs to rise a bit to avoid the length of fellow bigs, but also so she can shoot over mismatches more effectively.
Four More for the Future
Caroline Bradley
2027 ESPN 100 ranking: 5 | P | 6-foot-5 | Oak Grove HS (LA) | Uncommitted
Bradley is already one of the most sought-after post players in the country. She has a physically imposing frame and a very fundamental base of skills – both offensively and defensively. Look for her profile to rise through next summer with USA Basketball opportunities and events throughout the club season. She has an incredible maturity and work ethic.
Jordyn Palmer
2027 ESPN 100 ranking: 4 | W | 6-foot-1 | Westtown (PA) | Uncommitted
Palmer is as savvy as they come on the basketball court. She is a smooth operator who never gets sped up – she stays poised and cool. She is strong to the rim with advanced footwork and is a fanstastic rebounder. As she continues to develop her comfort from the three and shows a dedication to the defensive end, watch her game continue to grow.
Deniya Prawl
2025 ESPN 100 ranking: 14 | G/W | 6-foot-1 | IMG Academy (FL) | Uncommitted
Prawl may have as much upside potential as anymore mentioned here. She has an array of skills off the dribble and is an elite athlete – particularly in her elevation for rebounds or finishing at the rim. She will need to continue to fine tune her shot and develop her left hand, but she has talents that just cannot be taught.
Emilee Skinner
2025 ESPN 100 ranking: 7 | PG | 6-foot | Ridgeline (UT) | Duke
Skinner is the type of point guard who plays this game for a long time. Standing a shade over 6-feet, she is long and athletic as she glides down the court and directs traffic. She can facilitate or she can turn up the scoring when needed. She has advanced mid-range game: pull up jumpers, but also footwork into runners and floaters that really sets her apart. She is a savvy defender and sees the floor in an advanced IQ fashion.