As freshman year draws to a close, it's time for our first look at the elite players in the 2028 class.
I cannot make this more clear: I still have a lot to learn. Most freshmen are playing smaller condensed roles, or barely at all, on their school teams. It's hard to get a read on athletes' full capabilities. One of my goals in the coming months of AAU is to watch some of the 2028 teams and see who stands out. You should expect this list to look different when we update it at the end of the summer (check out the 2026 watch list, where I explained a bit of my thought process).
That being said, I'm confident in a strong group of freshmen who have either excelled with significant responsibilities early or shined in their roles on great teams. Most of these standouts have succeeded against older opponents in school or on the travel circuit. We'll touch on Ella Peper, who needs no introduction. Beyond her, I really like the potential from the top guards as lead creators and feisty perimeter defenders.
Get these 10 names, listed alphabetically, on your radar.
MORE WATCH LISTS: 2026 girls | 2027 girls
