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Joyce Edwards leads the way in 2024 hoops recruiting rankings

Joyce Edwards debuts as the No. 1 overall recruit in the Class of 2024 after an impressive summer with AAU powerhouse FBC United. (Mina Park/Just Women’s Sports)

Prospects in the Class of 2024 are set to embark on a new chapter of high school basketball as they enter their junior seasons.

Coaches from the nation’s top programs have had an eye on these recruits for quite some time. Just Women’s Sports presents the first round of recruiting rankings for the 2024 girls basketball prospects, a mere two seasons away from joining the college ranks.

Click here to see the latest top-25 rankings from the Class of 2023.

1 | Joyce Edwards, Camden (S.C.)
6-foot-2 forward

Edwards is the reigning USA TODAY HSSA Girls Rising Star of the Year and is a fixture on the court for both Camden and AAU powerhouse FBC United. Edwards can navigate her way around the rim better than any member of her class. During this summer’s Under Armour Association Finals, she ensured that FBC United advanced to the championship by standing out in a crowd of many of the most elite players in the high school ranks.

2 | Olivia Olson, Benilde Saint Margaret (Minn.)
6-foot point guard

Olson is the only player on this list with a verbal commitment. Sold on Kim Barnes-Arico’s vision after a Labor Day visit, Olson is one of the highest-ranking commits in Michigan women’s basketball history. She chose the Wolverines over UConn, Duke, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Minnesota, Oregon, Stanford, Tennessee and Vanderbilt.

3 | Jaloni Cambridge, The Ensworth School (Tenn.)
5-6 point guard

Another FBC United standout, Cambridge was named National Sophomore of the Year by MaxPreps after averaging 17.3 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game. Cambridge started every game this summer for the U17 national team, leading the squad with 16 points and nine assists in the gold-medal game.

4 | Kendall Dudley, Sidwell Friends School (District of Columbia)
6-1 wing

Kiki Rice, Jadyn Donovan and now Dudley. A member of this summer’s inaugural Team Durant Girls 17U roster, Dudley is among the star upperclassmen for Sidwell’s powerhouse program. Those who followed the Quakers’ undefeated run will remember her 18-point, eight-rebound performance at the inaugural State Champions Invitational in April. She also served on this past year’s Jr. NBA Court of Leaders.

5 | Taliyah Parker, South Grand Prairie (Texas)
6-1 guard

Parker is a new addition to South Grand Prairie this year after transferring from Putnam City West (Okla.). One of the most versatile guards in her class, she has offers from 30 schools around the country, including from each of the Power 5 conferences.

6 | Kiyomi McMiller, Life Center Academy (N.J.)
5-7 point guard

Originally from the talent-packed DMV area, McMiller has an unmatched handle as a rising junior. During her sophomore season, she backed it up with 27.1 points per game. Her speed and ball awareness are already advanced, and wherever she lands at the next level will be able to use her unique skill set right away. McMiller’s creativity as a guard separates her from competitors and high-level recruits alike.

7 | Sarah Strong, Grace Academy (N.C.)
6-2 forward

What a year it’s been for Strong, who won a Class 1A state title with Grace Academy in the 2021-22 season. During that campaign, she averaged a double-double with 25.5 points and 17.6 rebounds per game while shooting 42 percent from the 3-point line. The daughter of Danny Strong, the former NC State star and international player, and Allison Feaster — who played in the WNBA for the Charlotte Sting, Los Angeles Sparks and Indiana Fever — is having a tremendous 2022, having also won a gold medal with the Team USA U18 3×3 squad in August.

8 | Adhel Tac, South Grand Prairie (Texas)
6-5 post

Another formidable member on the South Grand Prairie roster, Tac is the total package — her height is only a fraction of what makes her an intriguing prospect. On both ends of the court, the paint belongs to her. In Tac’s sophomore season, she averaged 14.1 points per game on 63.4 percent shooting.

9 | Blanca Thomas, Charlotte Catholic (N.C.)
6-5 post

Thomas possesses both size and skill. As a sophomore, she averaged a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds per game. Her hustle and dominance beneath the rim have earned her plenty of attention, but in late August, she narrowed her list of schools to 10: Duke, Louisville, Michigan, North Carolina, NC State, Notre Dame, South Carolina, Stanford, Tennessee and Virginia Tech.

10 | Britt Prince, Elkhorn North (Neb.)
5-11 point guard

Prince also runs on the cross country and track and field teams, excelling in both sports. Countless athletes benefit from playing multiple sports, but endurance goes a long way on the basketball court. In 2021-22, Prince helped lead Elkhorn North to its second straight state title, averaging 24.1 points, seven rebounds, 4.3 assists and 4.4 steals per game and shooting 40.4 percent from beyond the arc and 83.7 percent from the charity stripe. Oh, and she also picked up a state title in the 800m with a time of 2 minutes, 17.43 seconds.

11 | Allie Ziebell, Neenah (Wis.)
5-10 guard

This summer, AAU team Wisconsin Flight Elite took home the 17U Nike Girls EYBL Louisville title after Ziebell dropped a 30-piece on 10-of-12 shooting. Ziebell is a pure shooter, unafraid of tough defenders. During her sophomore season, no girls’ basketball player in the entire state of Wisconsin averaged as many points as she did (30.2 points per game).

12 | Jordan Lee, Saint Mary’s (Calif.)
6-3 forward

Lee is often first in line to celebrate with her teammates, but there’s a lot to appreciate about her game. She’s one of the best players California has to offer, and last season she averaged 18.1 points and seven rebounds per game. A multi-sport athlete, Lee also holds her school’s track and field records in the 800m (2:17.03) and the 1600m (5:02.75).

13 | Kennedy Smith, Etiwanda (Calif.)
6-2 wing

Etiwanda consistently develops top talent with its emphasis on work ethic and embracing tough competition, and Smith exemplifies that. When she was younger, Smith operated in the post. However, as she’s expanded her skill set over the first half of her high school career, she’s adjusted. She can succeed anywhere her team needs her. Smith demonstrated that last year when she averaged 18.7 points, 9.3 rebounds, two assists, three steals and two blocks per game as Etiwanda went 29-1.

14 | Mikayla Blakes, Rutgers Prep (N.J.)
5-9 guard

Named to the Skyland Conference’s 2021 All-Division First Team in cross country, Blakes will give any player on the East Coast a run for their money, and she’ll most likely outrun them, too. On the court for Rutgers Prep, Blakes averaged more than 18 points and four rebounds over 32 games in her sophomore season. Guard skills run in the family, as she’s the younger sister of Duke guard Jaylen Blakes.

15 | Maddy McDaniel, Bishop McNamara (Md.)
5-8 point guard

An honorable mention to The Washington Post’s 2021-22 Winter All-Met Team, the deft McDaniel impacts games with her ability to facilitate against even the stiffest of competition in the DMV region. After she received an invitation to participate in Steph Curry’s summer camp and the UA Next Elite 24 game, it’s obvious that McDaniel is on the rise.

16 | Liv McGill, Hopkins (Minn.)
5-7 point guard

McGill is the next elite point guard to step up for Hopkins, and she’s equipped with all the necessary skills. A vocal leader with a relentless defensive motor, McGill runs the game with a level of enthusiasm that goes above and beyond most.

17 | Toby Lee Fournier, Crestwood Secondary (Ontario, Canada)
6-2 forward

In Team Canada’s U17 World Cup game against Korea, Fournier turned in a double-double of 32 points and 17 rebounds. She also had five assists, three steals and two blocks, not to mention a now-viral dunk after one of those steals. Fournier was a consistent contributor to the eventual fourth-place team.

18 | Katie Fiso, Garfield (Wash.)
5-10 point guard

Fiso handles business on defense and leads the charge at the point. She always seems to be one step ahead of her competition. As a sophomore, Fiso led Garfield to a Class 3A state championship.

19 | Mackenly Randolph, Sierra Canyon (Calif.)
6-1 forward

During her time with this summer’s Team USA U17 gold-medal team, Randolph finished with a team-high 60 percent three-point shooting percentage. She averaged 9.3 points and 5.6 rebounds across seven games for the national team. Randolph is also the daughter of two-time NBA All-Star Zach Randolph, who spent 18 years in the league. A true student of the Southern California basketball scene, Randolph played for Team Mamba, which was coached by the late Kobe Bryant.

20 | Justice Carlton, Seven Lakes (Texas)
6-2 forward

Carlton is truly a well-rounded forward. In her sophomore season for Seven Lakes, Carlton averaged 25.5 points and 2.9 blocks per game. She’s an effective scorer from all over the court, whether she’s behind the arc or driving into traffic beneath the rim.

21 | Kennedy Ume, McDonogh School (Md.)
6-4 forward

Ume was named a finalist for the U16 Team in 2021 but didn’t ultimately make a national team roster until this summer, when she won gold in Hungary after averaging 6.1 points and 6.1 rebounds per game with the U17 team. She also totaled 10 steals across seven games.

22 | Kate Koval, Long Island Lutheran (N.Y.)
6-5 post

Born in Kyiv, Koval helped Ukraine’s U18 3×3 team to the quarterfinals this summer. Koval is a strong, physical big with a high ceiling. Last season, she averaged a double-double with 18.7 points and 12 rebounds for Long Island Lutheran.

23 | Morgan Cheli, Archbishop Mitty (Calif.)
6-2 guard

Cheli is a disruptive guard who’s managed to make a name for herself both in Northern California at the storied Archbishop Mitty High School and on the global stage. In July, she joined her high school coach, Sue Phillips, and led the gold-medal U17 national team in steals, averaging 3 per game.

24 | Zamareya Jones, North Pitt (N.C.)
5-7 point guard

The third FBC United star in this round of recruiting rankings, Jones is a bold shooter who happens to score on most of her attempts. During her sophomore season at North Pitt, she averaged 24.3 points per game while shooting 61 percent from the field. Her social media bios all read “Heart over Height,” and those who have seen her play can attest to that fact.

25 | Tajianna Roberts, La Jolla Country Day (Calif.)
5-10 guard

A standout guard for hoops powerhouse La Jolla Country Day, Roberts is used to playing against high-level players. She averaged 14 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game while sharing the spotlight with 2023 standouts Breya Cunningham and Jada Williams. Roberts is a focused defender with a smooth shot and a high basketball IQ. She’s also the only player on this list to have delivered a TED Talk.

Caroline Makauskas is a contributing writer for Just Women’s Sports. She also writes about college basketball for Blue Ribbon Sports and covers a variety of sports on her TikTok @cmakauskas. Follow her on Twitter @cmakauskas.

New York Liberty Lead 2025 WNBA Power Rankings

New York Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu celebrates a three-pointer during a 2025 WNBA preseason game.
The New York Liberty lead the WNBA power rankings ahead of the 2025 season tip-off. (Ali Gradischer/Getty Images)

The New York Liberty will open the 2025 WNBA season at the top of the league's power rankings, drumming up high expectations despite a short-staffed roster.

Trailing the reigning champions at No. 2 are 2024 runners-up Minnesota, followed by 2023 champs Las Vegas at No. 3.

Fueled by this year's overall No. 2 draft pick Dominique Malonga, the Seattle Storm claimed No. 4 in the WNBA rankings, with the revamped Indiana Fever eyeing a 2025 turnaround at No. 5.

The betting market similarly reflects the league's latest forecast, with sportsbook FanDuel setting the Liberty's title odds at +210, followed by the Aces at +360, and the Lynx at +370.

The lines also support Indiana's promise, giving the Fever the fourth-best championship odds at +390 — far higher than the fifth-best Phoenix Mercury at +1,300.

On the other hand, the Dallas Wings, LA Sparks, Washington Mystics, Connecticut Sun, and Golden State Valkyries occupy the rankings' bottom half, as 2025's potential lottery teams prepare to prove themselves against top-line squads this season.

The up-for-sale Sun and brand-new Valkyries have the longest title odds on FanDuel, clocking in at +50,000 each.

While preseason action has provided some quality sneak peeks, Friday's opening tip-off represents a fresh start for the league, one where anything can — and likely will — happen.

Seattle Storm and France international teammates Gabby Williams and Dominique Malonga smile before a 2025 WNBA preseason game.
France's Gabby Williams and Dominique Malonga will skip the 2025 Eurobasket to stay with Seattle. (Scott Eklund/NBAE via Getty Images)

European WNBA stars drop out of 2025 EuroBasket

Several European WNBA standouts announced they will skip out on this summer's FIBA EuroBasket, opting to prioritize league play following a pivotal 2024 Olympics.

Reigning Olympic silver medalists Gabby Williams and Dominique Malonga both confirmed they will not represent France at the European tournament in June, opting to remain with the Seattle Storm.

The duo's France teammate Carla Leite is also forgoing the trip, instead remaining with the Golden State Valkyries for the entirety of the expansion side's debut season.

As a major international tournament, the 2025 FIBA EuroBasket is exempt from the WNBA's prioritization rule, meaning eligible players can miss regular-season league play to compete in the overseas contest without being in violation of WNBA protocols.

The 2025 regional FIBA competition between Europe's top national teams will tip off on June 18th.

Alex Morgan Rejoins San Diego Wave as Minority Owner

San Diego Wave minority owner Alex Morgan wears a pink suit and smiles while sitting in gray stadium seats.
Alex Morgan retired from professional soccer in 2024. (San Diego Wave FC)

US soccer legend Alex Morgan is back in the game, becoming a minority owner of her former NWSL club by investing in the San Diego Wave FC on Tuesday.

One of the 2022 expansion side's first signings, Morgan captained the Wave to their 2023 NWSL Shield win before retiring in September 2024 as the team's all-time leader in both goals (28) and assists (11).

"San Diego is where I've built my home, where I am raising my children, and found a purpose beyond my playing career," Morgan said in a club statement. "I believed in Wave FC before a single match was played, and I still believe this club has the power to change the future of women's sports."

Morgan joins an ownership group led by the Leichtman-Levine family. The Leichtmans purchased the team from founding owner Ron Burkle at a reported $113 million valuation last year.

"Alex has always fought to positively impact this game beyond the pitch," said Wave FC controlling owner Lauren Leichtman. "Her decision to invest is not only a continuation of her leadership but also a reflection of her belief in what we are building."

The two-time World Cup champion appears to be making good on her desire to shape the women's sports landscape after hanging up her boots, also buying into Unrivaled 3×3 Basketball ahead of the league's early 2025 debut.

"I was on board [with Unrivaled] from day one," Morgan told Boardroom in January. "Fans want to see what a player's personality is and who they vibe with, what drives them, and I think that being able to mesh that with competition, it already [is] a home run here with Unrivaled. So it would be really exciting to do something with other women's sports as well."

Minnesota Enters Game 4 with 2-1 PWHL Semifinals Lead Over Toronto

Defender Lee Stecklein celebrates a goal during the 2025 PWHL semifinals with her Minnesota Frost teammates.
Minnesota holds a 2-1 series advantage over Toronto. (Michael Chisholm/Getty Images)

The Minnesota Frost offense is ruling the ice, as record-setting scoring has the reigning PWHL champions on the brink of returning to the Walter Cup finals, entering Wednesday's Game 4 on a 2-1 series lead over the Toronto Sceptres in the best-of-five semifinals. 

Just two days after No. 4-seed Minnesota leveled the series with a 5-3 Friday win — recording the most combined goals ever scored in a PWHL Playoff game — the Frost found yet another gear, winning the highest scoring game in the second-year league's history in Sunday’s 7-5 Game 3 defeat of No. 2-seed Toronto.

In Sunday's barnburner, 21 players earned points across the two teams, but it was Minnesota who claimed victory, never relinquishing their early lead after netting a trio of goals in the game's first eight minutes.

"Minnesota's a great team," Sceptres head coach Troy Ryan said after the loss. "If you're putting yourself in a situation where you've got to chase them, it's an uphill battle."

"I think it’s a fan's dream and a coach's nightmare, a 7-5 playoff game," said Minnesota boss Ken Klee. "We found a way to win and that's the most important thing."

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Minnesota skaters now own the league's 2025 Playoffs stat sheet, with four Frost players topping the points race.

More eyebrow-raising, however, is that the league's postseason offensive leader is a defender, as the Frost's Lee Stecklein has burned up the ice with three goals and three assists in the playoffs so far.

Calling her "outstanding" and "world-class," Klee sang Stecklein's praises while acknowledging that the postseason means Minnesota must "find different ways to score goals and different people have to contribute."

"[Stecklein] knows that, she exemplifies that, and that's why she's one of our leaders and one of our best players."

How to watch Minnesota vs. Toronto in the PWHL Semifinals

The defending champion Frost will hope to secure their spot in the 2025 PWHL Finals while the Sceptres aim to stave off elimination in the pair's next semifinals game on Wednesday.

The puck drops on Game 4 of the best-of-five series at 7 PM ET, with live coverage streaming on the PWHL YouTube channel.

Marta Comes Out of Retirement to Join Brazil National Team Roster

Marta looks up before the 2024 Olympic gold-medal match between Brazil and the USWNT.
Despite her 2024 international retirement, Marta will return to the Brazil team this month. (Cao Can/Xinhua via Getty Images)

Soccer legend Marta is officially returning to the canary yellow kit, earning a Brazil national team call-up just over nine months after her planned retirement from international duty.

Brazil head coach Arthur Elias named Marta to the world No. 8 Seleção's roster on Tuesday, with the 39-year-old icon returning for the team's upcoming home friendlies against No. 5 Japan on May 30th and June 2nd.

"I was with Marta recently and spoke with her," Elias told reporters on Tuesday. "She said she is available to help the team while she is playing at a high level, as she is now."

Stellar club form fuels Marta's Brazil return

Marta, who hung up her international boots after snagging a third silver Olympic medal at the 2024 Paris Games, hasn't missed a beat since, captaining the Orlando Pride to the club's first-ever NWSL Shield and Championship last fall.

In the process, the scoring phenom claimed the league's Best XI First Team honors, as well as finalist nods for both the 2024 NWSL MVP and Midfielder of the Year awards.

Unsurprisingly, the Pride inked Marta to a two-year contract extension in January.

While Marta's consistently impressive form fueled Elias's request to lure her out of retirement, the manager is also hoping her unmatched leadership will bolster younger athletes as Brazil takes aim at a record-extending ninth Copa América title this summer — and, as the host nation, a deep 2027 World Cup run.

Joining the legend on Tuesday's roster are fellow Brazil veterans Lorena and Debinha, from the NWSL-leading Kansas City Current, and Marta's Orlando teammate Angelina.

"[Marta's] presence in some call-ups is very important for the younger players, for the renewal that is taking place in the national team," explained Elias. "We really want expectations to rise for the women's national team and for football in our country."

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