Since launching JWS Next earlier this year, we’ve had the privilege of immersing ourselves in the national high school basketball scene — the teams, players, traditions and rivalries.
As the 2021-22 campaign draws to close, we wanted to highlight some of the most impressive players we got to know. Below are our picks for the inaugural All-American teams (including their stat lines and college commitments), headlined by Player of the Year Kiki Rice.
First Team
G Kiki Rice, Sidwell Friends (D.C.), Sr.
15.8 PPG, 7 RPG, 5.1 APG, 2.6 SPG
UCLA
The best player on the nation’s best team, Rice has few holes in her game, which she’s modeled after the legendary Sue Bird. She helped turn Sidwell Friends into a national power, and for that, she’ll always be a local icon.
G Chance Gray, Winton Woods (Ohio), Sr.
26.7 PPG, 5 RPG, 3.5 APG, 3.2 SPG
Oregon
An elite combo guard, Gray helped Winton Woods capture its first conference title since 2011.
G Mikaylah Williams, Parkway (La.), Jr.
22.8 PPG, 8 RPG, 3.7 APG, 2.2 SPG
TBD
The top-ranked recruit for the Class of 2023, per ESPN, Williams will have her pick of prospective college suitors after a dominant junior campaign.
F Ayanna Patterson, Homestead (Ind.), Sr.
25.8 PPG, 11.8 RPG, 2.5 APG, 2 BPG
UConn
The winner of Indiana’s prestigious Miss Basketball award, Patterson led Homestead to a one-loss regular season. The all-around player is also known for her impressive dunks.
P Lauren Betts, Grandview (Colo.), Sr.
17.2 PPG, 11 RPG, 3.6 BPG, 3.5 APG
Stanford
The 6-foot-7 Betts is unmatched as a low-post talent. A two-time Gatorade Colorado State Player of the Year, Betts will join the reigning NCAA champions in the fall.
Second Team
G Ashlynn Shade, Noblesville (Ind.), Jr.
20.9 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 4.1 APG, 3.7 SPG
UConn
Shade capped a superlative junior campaign by scoring 31 points in the state title game, tying an all-time record.
G Aaliyah Gayles, Spring Valley (Nev.), Sr.
13.8 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 3.5 SPG, 3.3 APG
USC
A dynamic athlete with a scorer’s mentality, Gayles will be virtually impossible for Spring Valley to replace.
F Timea Gardiner, Fremont (Utah), Sr.
13.5 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 2.8 APG, 1.8 SPG
Oregon State
The-England born Gardiner led Fremont to the brink of a state championship with her dominant all-around approach.
F Janiah Barker, Montverde (Fla.), Sr.
17.6 PPG, 8.9 RPG, 1.7 APG, 1.5 SPG
Georgia
A multiple-time Team USA selection, Barker helped Montverde clinch a GEICO Nationals berth.
P Isuneh Brady, Cathedral Catholic (Cal.), Sr.
20.7 PPG, 12.8 RPG, 3.3 APG, 1.8 BPG
UConn
The big known as “Ice” was in a class of her own in the San Diego area, especially in the low post.
Josh Needelman is the High School Sports Editor at Just Women’s Sports. Follow him on Twitter @JoshNeedelman.
