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SuperPreps 365: Ranking the top 10 girls’ basketball players in Minnesota

By RON HAGGSTROM, Star Tribune , 10/28/20, 6:45PM CDT

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Plus Lindsay Whalen’s attempt to close borders in recruiting is starting to pay off.


Hopkins’ Maya Nnaji, pictured during the state tournament quarterfinals in March, tops the list of Minnesota girls’ basketball recruits. Photo: ELIZABETH FLORES • liz.flores@startribune.com

Gophers coach Lindsay Whalen landed two in-state recruits this month, which could set the program up for bigger future success. Click to read the story by the Star Tribune's Kent Youngblood.

One of Whalen's newest ones is in Star Tribune’s Ron Haggstrom's preseason ranking of the top 10 recruits in the state:

1. Maya Nnaji, Hopkins
6-4 forward, junior: A Top 10 recruit in the nation for the Class of 2022 with size and agility. (College: undecided)

2. Mara Braun, Wayzata
5-11 guard, junior: Wasn’t intimidated by head-to-head matchups with Paige Bueckers. (College: undecided)

3. Sophie Hart, Farmington
6-5 center, senior: A defensive stalwart in the paint that the Gophers were hoping to land. (College: North Carolina State)

4. Adalia McKenzie, Park Center
5-10 guard, senior: A versatile and multidimensional player who excels in the open court. (College: Illinois)

5. Mallory Heyer, Chaska
6-2 forward, junior: A physical, aggressive frontcourt player who is relentless. (College: Minnesota)

6. Amaya Battle, Hopkins
5-11 guard, junior: Knows how to change speeds and can play multiple positions. (College: undecided)

7. Taylor Woodson, Hopkins
6-0 guard, sophomore: Averaged over 14 points per game as a freshman in star-studded lineup. (College: undecided)

8. Jenna Johnson, Wayzata
6-2 forward, senior: Rebounding from a torn ACL after scoring at nearly a 23-point per game clip. (College: Utah)

9. Tessa Johnson, St. Michael-Albertville
5-11 guard, sophomore: Can hit the three as well as get to the rim. (College: undecided)

10. Katie Borowicz, Roseau
5-6 guard, senior: Lack of size overcome by leadership ability and competitive drive. (College: Minnesota)

• • •
SuperPreps 365, the Star Tribune’s expanded coverage of recruiting, has grown into a year-round, all-sports effort. The SuperPreps 365 brand will feature more stories and rankings in football, boys’ hockey and boys’ and girls’ basketball recruiting, as well as coverage of recruiting in other sports.

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