Athlete Spotlight
Top High School Girls Basketball Players In The Country & Impact of NIL Opportunities
Over the past decade, girls’ high school basketball has experienced remarkable growth, both in talent level and visibility. Increased media coverage, social media platforms, and expanded opportunities for exposure through elite camps, grassroots circuits, and national tournaments have helped propel the sport to new heights. As a result, top high school athletes are now gaining national recognition at an earlier age, leading to increased recruitment opportunities and, more recently, groundbreaking Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals.
Top High School Girls Basketball Scorers:
- Tionna Pettus – Bessemer City (NC): Leading with an outstanding 45.6 pts per game.
- Iyanna Wade – Clairton (PA): Averaging 41.9 points per game.
- Serinity Metcalfe – Shorewood (WI): Contributing 40.4 points per game.
- Ameerah Grant – Brown Deer (WI): Recording 39.9 points per game.
- Eryn Brown – Istrouma (LA): Delivering 37.3 points per game.
- Aaliyah Chavez – Monterey (TX): Contributing 35.4 points per game.
- Amyah Robinson – Culpeper County (VA): Averaging 35 points per game.
- Janiyah Boyd – Monroe (NC): Contributing 34.1 points per game.
- Averie Zinn – Genesee (MI): Recording 33.1 points per game.
Top High School Girls Basketball Rebounders:
- Hannah Rice – MCCA (NC): Leading with 577 rebounds, avg 23.1 per game.
- Ava Castro – Cardinal Newman (FL): Rebounds 275 with avg 21.2 per game.
- Jadore Hayes – North Miami (FL): Contributing 370 rebounds with avg 20.6 per game.
- Emma Broadbent – South Summit (UT): Recording 471 rebounds with avg 20.5 per game.
- Sophie Henry – Ovilla Christian (TX): Delivering 529 rebounds with avg 20.3 per game.
- Abby Brothers – CCA (KY): Contributing 281 rebounds with avg 20.1 per game.
- Aniyah Bufford – Burbank (CA): Contributing 353 rebounds with avg 19.6 per game.
- Corshell Vaughn – Marquez (CA): Contributing 428 rebounds 19.5 per game.
- Layla Watson – Tarkington (TX): Recording 513 rebounds per game.
Top High School Girls Basketball 3pt Shooters:
- Aaliyah Chavez – Monterey (TX): Made 169 three-pointers out of 447 attempts, averaging 4.7 per game with a 38% success rate.
- Alejandra Idrogo – United (TX): Made 146 three-pointers out of 449 attempts, averaging 4.3 per game with a 33% success rate.
- Yasmeen Schmidt – CCHS (TX): Made 140 three-pointers out of 391 attempts, averaging 4.0 per game with a 36% success rate.
- Adyra Rajan – Fairmount Prep (CA): Made 138 three-pointers out of 364 attempts, averaging 4.9 per game with a 38% success rate.
- Lauren Harris – Faith Christian (CA): Made 131 three-pointers out of 392 attempts, averaging 5.7 per game with a 33% success rate.
- Marissa Holder – Piedmont Academy (GA): Made 127 three-pointers out of 356 attempts, averaging 4.9 per game with a 36% success rate.
- Sophie Zirkin – Park School (MD): Made 124 three-pointers, averaging 5.4 per game.
- Jamie Solomon – Wheatley (TX): Made 113 three-pointers out of 266 attempts, averaging 4.7 per game with a 42% success rate.
- Payton Sugar – Brentwood School (CA): Made 113 three-pointers out of 306 attempts, averaging 4.0 per game with a 37% success rate.
The Evolution of Girls’ High School Basketball
The sport has evolved significantly, with top programs competing on national stages and elite players gaining exposure through major platforms like ESPN, MaxPreps, and grassroots circuits such as Nike EYBL and Adidas 3SSB. More schools are investing in their girls’ basketball programs, leading to better training facilities, coaching, and overall development. Social media has also played a crucial role, allowing young athletes to build personal brands and showcase their skills to a global audience.
The rise of NIL deals has added another layer to this transformation, providing female athletes opportunities that were previously reserved for their male counterparts. The ability to profit from their personal brand while still in high school has changed the landscape, allowing young women to capitalize on their talent and influence before they even step foot on a college campus.
Pioneers of NIL in Girls’ High School Basketball
Among the trailblazers in this new era of NIL deals are Kiyomi McMiller and Kaleena Smith, two standout high school athletes who made history by securing sneaker endorsements with Jordan Brand and Adidas, respectively.
- Kiyomi McMiller became the first female high school athlete to sign a NIL deal with Jordan Brand. Known for her elite ball-handling skills, flashy playstyle, and scoring ability, McMiller’s dynamic presence on the court, combined with her marketability, made her a perfect fit for the Jordan Brand legacy. Her deal signaled a shift in how brands view young female athletes, proving that they have the ability to move merchandise and inspire the next generation just as much as their male counterparts.
- Kaleena Smith, another rising star, followed suit by becoming the first female high school athlete to sign a NIL deal with Adidas. Smith’s versatility, athleticism, and leadership made her an ideal representative for the global sports brand, further solidifying the importance of women’s basketball in the NIL era.