The state of Illinois the Land of Lincoln continues to prove why it is one of the premier hotbeds for girls high school basketball in the Midwest. 

The Class of 2027 is loaded with elite prospects who are already drawing major college attention, stacking scholarship offers, and competing on the biggest AAU and high school stages. 

The depth of talent is undeniable. 

From Chicago to the suburbs and throughout the state, these young standouts are showcasing advanced skill sets, high basketball IQs, and the kind of competitiveness that translates to winning programs.

What separates this group is not just raw ability, but polish. 

These players understand pace, space, and how to impact the game on both ends of the floor. 

They defend, they score efficiently, and they elevate teammates. 

College coaches are already making regular appearances in Illinois gyms because the future is unfolding in real time. 

The exposure is national, the recruiting interest is heavy, and the ceiling is extremely high. 

Every player on this list projects as a next-level athlete with the tools, mindset, and work ethic to compete beyond high school basketball.

Top 10 Players – Class of 2027 (Illinois)

Addison Bjorn attends Benet Academy in Lisle, Illinois. She is a poised scoring guard with advanced shot-making ability and deep range. Bjorn thrives in transition and is comfortable creating her own offense in half-court sets. Her feel for spacing allows her to get downhill or pull up effectively. She competes defensively and plays with confidence in big moments. With her scoring instincts and overall polish, she projects as a high-major guard with long-term upside.

Kate Koval attends Kenwood Academy in Chicago, Illinois. Koval brings elite size, length, and rim protection to the floor. She alters shots, rebounds outside her area, and finishes efficiently around the basket. Her footwork continues to improve, and she runs the floor extremely well for her size. Koval’s defensive presence alone impacts games, but her offensive development makes her even more intriguing. She has clear high-major potential as a two-way post.

Jordyn Palmer attends Whitney M. Young Magnet High School in Chicago, Illinois. Palmer is a dynamic perimeter playmaker with speed and creativity off the bounce. She thrives in space and can collapse defenses with her quick first step. Her passing vision stands out, especially in transition. Palmer competes on defense and understands tempo. As her shot consistency continues to develop, she projects as a strong next-level combo guard.

Mia Holloman attends Bolingbrook High School in Bolingbrook, Illinois. Holloman is a physical guard who plays with strength and toughness. She attacks the rim with authority and embraces contact. Defensively, she pressures the ball and competes on every possession. Her leadership qualities are evident, and she brings energy that fuels her team. With continued perimeter shooting growth, Holloman projects as a college-ready backcourt piece.

Aaliyah Guyton attends Peoria High School in Peoria, Illinois. Guyton is a skilled guard with natural scoring instincts and smooth mechanics. She reads defensive coverages well and can operate in ball screens effectively. Her confidence shows in late-game situations. Guyton’s versatility allows her to play on or off the ball. With her blend of scoring and feel, she has strong Division I upside.

Saniyah Hall attends Kenwood Academy in Chicago, Illinois. Hall is an explosive wing with size, length, and shot-creating ability. She can score from all three levels and thrives attacking mismatches. Her athleticism stands out immediately, and she rebounds well for her position. Hall’s defensive tools give her two-way value. As she continues to refine decision-making, her ceiling remains extremely high nationally.

Jasmine Brown attends Fremd High School in Palatine, Illinois. Brown is a high-IQ floor general who controls pace and makes winning plays. She sees the floor exceptionally well and delivers accurate passes under pressure. Her outside shot stretches defenses, and she competes defensively. Brown’s ability to manage games and elevate teammates makes her a valuable long-term college prospect.

Taylor Smith attends Homewood-Flossmoor High School in Flossmoor, Illinois. Smith is a versatile forward who can step out and knock down perimeter shots. She rebounds aggressively and runs the floor hard. Her motor and toughness give her consistent production. Smith’s positional flexibility allows coaches to use her in multiple frontcourt roles. She projects as a strong mid-to-high major prospect.

Ava Heiden attends Lincoln-Way West High School in New Lenox, Illinois. Heiden is a skilled post with soft touch and strong interior footwork. She finishes through contact and rebounds effectively in traffic. Her size and presence anchor the paint defensively. Heiden continues to expand her offensive range, which adds versatility. She has clear potential as a reliable next-level interior contributor.

Sydney Affolter attends Marist High School in Chicago, Illinois. Affolter is a tough, multi-dimensional wing who impacts every statistical category. She rebounds, handles the ball, and defends multiple positions. Her competitiveness separates her, especially in high-pressure moments. Affolter understands how to win and plays with purpose. With continued growth, she projects as a dependable college-level wing.

Closing Conclusion 

Illinois continues to solidify its reputation as one of the Midwest’s premier pipelines for elite girls basketball talent, and the Class of 2027 is a powerful reminder of that reality. 

This group is not only talented they are driven, polished, and battle-tested. 

They are competing in high-level high school conferences and on national AAU circuits, gaining exposure against some of the best prospects in the country. 

College coaches are already investing time, building relationships, and tracking development closely.

What stands out most about this class is versatility. 

Guards can score and facilitate. 

Wings defend and stretch the floor. 

Posts protect the rim and run in transition. 

There is no one-dimensional prospect here. 

Each player brings a defined skill set while continuing to expand her game.

The future of Illinois girls basketball is in strong hands. 

As these athletes continue to mature physically and mentally, expect recruiting attention to intensify and scholarship lists to grow. 

The Land of Lincoln is loaded and the Class of 2027 is only getting started.

Phoenix Select Basketball in Austin, Texas has quickly established itself as one of the premier girls AAU programs in the country. 

Competing throughout Central Texas and beyond, the program serves athletes from grades 4th through 12th with a clear and consistent mission: develop complete players prepared for the next level. 

Phoenix Select is known for its high-level training environment, disciplined structure, and commitment to long-term player growth.

The program consistently places athletes in college programs because of its emphasis on skill development, basketball IQ, strength training, and exposure opportunities. 

Coaches demand accountability, toughness, and attention to detail while creating a culture that promotes confidence and leadership. 

Just as important, Phoenix Select prioritizes academic excellence, ensuring its student-athletes are prepared in the classroom as well as on the hardwood.

College recruiters trust the program because its players are fundamentally sound, well-conditioned, and mentally prepared for the demands of higher-level basketball. 

The results speak for themselves: Phoenix Select athletes compete, succeed, and continue advancing. 

This is not simply an AAU program, it is a development system built to elevate young women both on and off the court.

Ellie Mae Lester is a high-IQ Class of 2029 point guard from Gonzales, Texas who thrives on pace control, elite conditioning, and decision-making under pressure. Ellie Mae Lester directs traffic with confidence, keeps teammates organized, and embraces defensive assignments with toughness. Her ability to manage tempo while attacking gaps makes her a natural floor leader. With strong academics and relentless work ethic, she embodies the disciplined culture Phoenix Select demands from its guards.

Peyton Griffin is a 5’11” Class of 2027 combo guard from Round Rock, Texas who blends size, leadership, and scoring versatility. Peyton Griffin can stretch defenses from the perimeter, attack mismatches off the bounce, and defend multiple positions with length. Her varsity-ready presence and elite academics make her a complete prospect. She competes with poise, communicates consistently, and elevates teammates in big moments.

Katelyn Olds is a 5’11” 2027 guard from Austin who impacts games with length and polished shot-making ability. Katelyn Olds reads defenses patiently, makes advanced passing decisions, and uses her frame effectively on both ends. Her maturity stands out, especially in late-game situations where she remains composed and efficient. With strong academic focus and competitive drive, she represents the type of versatile wing colleges actively recruit.

Kaitlin Paiva competes with toughness and relentless energy for the Class of 2027 at Mason High School. Kaitlin Paiva rebounds outside her area, embraces physical play, and defends with purpose every possession. Her motor separates her, as she consistently outworks opponents on loose balls and second-chance opportunities. Combined with academic excellence and coachability, she projects as a dependable program player at the next level.

Flora Appleton is a 6’2” 2027 shooting guard from Mason, Texas who brings length, shot-making range, and defensive instincts. Flora Appleton alters passing lanes, contests shots effectively, and stretches the floor with confident perimeter shooting. Her size at the guard position creates matchup problems, while her discipline and academic strength enhance her college-ready profile. She combines upside and production in a way that demands attention.

Closing Conclusion 

Phoenix Select Basketball continues to raise the bar for girls AAU development in Central Texas. 

The program’s consistent college placements are no accident; they are the product of structure, discipline, and intentional skill progression. 

From fundamental ball-handling and shooting mechanics to advanced defensive concepts and strength training, Phoenix Select prepares athletes for the physical and mental demands of collegiate basketball.

The culture emphasizes accountability, leadership, and academic performance alongside on-court production. 

That combination builds trust with college coaches who value reliability as much as talent. 

Players from this program arrive prepared, fundamentally strong, and ready to compete immediately.

With standouts like Ellie Mae Lester, Peyton Griffin, Katelyn Olds, Kaitlin Paiva, and Flora Appleton leading the way, the future remains bright. 

These young women reflect the program’s identity: skilled, tough, intelligent, and driven.

Phoenix Select is more than a travel team. 

It is a development pipeline that consistently produces confident student-athletes ready to succeed at the next level and its impact will continue to grow nationally.

Ellie Mae Lester is a Class of 2029 point guard out of Gonzales High School in Gonzales, Texas, standing 5’4” with a 4.0 GPA and a résumé that includes 2025 Cross Country State Qualifier honors. 

She is the engine behind Phoenix Select’s backcourt, bringing advanced conditioning, vocal leadership, and a natural feel for tempo. 

Lester plays with a chip on her shoulder and a clear understanding of how to manage a game. 

Her ability to stay composed under pressure separates her from many guards in her class.

Strengths

– Excellent pace manipulation; keeps defenders off balance.
– Strong handle with low center of gravity control.
– Accurate passer in drive-and-kick situations.
– Competitive on-ball defender with active hands.
– High stamina allows sustained pressure defense.
– Makes quick reads in ball-screen coverage.
– Plays unselfish but understands scoring windows.
– Vocal leader who directs teammates confidently.

Areas to Improve

– Increase strength to finish through length.
– Develop deeper shooting consistency beyond high school line.
– Continue embracing aggressive scoring mentality when defenses sag.

Projected Role

Ellie Mae Lester projects as a dependable rotational point guard at the collegiate level with upside to become a program stabilizer. 

Her conditioning and IQ give her long-term value.

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Ellie Mae Lester is a dynamic 5’4” point guard in the Class of 2029 who plays the game with poise beyond her years. 

Representing Phoenix Select and Gonzales High School in Gonzales, Texas, she combines high-level academics (4.0 GPA) with elite competitiveness as a 2025 Cross Country State Qualifier. 

That endurance translates directly onto the hardwood. 

Lester is a pace-setting floor general who understands tempo, spacing, and how to manipulate defenses with her handle.

She excels at pushing the ball in transition while maintaining control. 

Her change of speed is a weapon, allowing her to turn the corner and collapse to help defenders. 

In half-court settings, she shows advanced decision-making, consistently delivering on-time, on-target passes. 

Lester can knock down perimeter shots when defenders go under screens and is comfortable operating out of ball screens.

Defensively, she competes with urgency. 

Her lateral quickness and conditioning allow her to pressure opposing guards for extended stretches. 

She plays with a high motor, diving for loose balls and extending possessions. 

Her leadership qualities stand out; she communicates, organizes teammates, and sets the emotional tone.

Physically, she may not be overwhelmed with size, but her toughness and stamina compensate. 

She plays bigger than 5’4”, attacking gaps and finishing creatively in traffic. 

Ellie Mae Lester’s game is built on skill, IQ, and relentless effort traits that translate well to the college level.

Evaluation Summary:
Ellie Mae Lester impacts winning with pace control and decision-making. 

She sees plays develop early and anticipates passing windows. 

Her ball-handling is compact and efficient. 

She changes speeds well in space. 

She keeps defenders on her hip in ball-screen action. 

Her shooting mechanics are clean and repeatable. 

She thrives in transition situations. 

Her cross-country background fuels elite conditioning. 

She defends with toughness and discipline. 

She communicates effectively. 

She does not shy away from physical play. 

Her leadership is natural and steady. 

She understands situational basketball. 

Her feel for the game projects upward. 

Her intangibles elevate her overall value.

Key Development Areas:
– Continue extending three-point range off the dribble.
– Add strength to absorb contact finishing at the rim.
– Maintain assertiveness as the primary scoring option when needed.

Long-Term Outlook:
Ellie Mae Lester projects as a reliable, culture-setting collegiate point guard whose leadership, conditioning, and basketball IQ will make her invaluable at the next level. 

I would confidently stake my evaluation on her long-term impact.

Peyton Griffin is a 5’11” Class of 2027 combo guard at Round Rock High School in Round Rock, Texas. 

A Varsity Team Captain with a 4.93 GPA, Academic All-District honors in 2024 and 2025, and National Honor Society recognition, she represents the true student-athlete model. 

Griffin plays with maturity beyond her class year, operating comfortably on or off the ball. 

Her size immediately stands out in the backcourt, allowing her to see passing lanes and shoot over smaller defenders. 

She plays with calm control, rarely appearing rushed even against aggressive defensive pressure.

Strengths
• Positional size at 5’11” allows defensive versatility.
• Reliable perimeter shooting mechanics with range beyond the arc.
• Comfortable initiating offense in half-court sets.
• High basketball IQ in ball-screen reads.
• Vocal leadership presence as team captain.
• Strong rebounding instincts for a guard.
• Academic discipline translates to preparation habits.
• Composed decision-maker late in games.

Areas to improve
Griffin can continue developing first-step explosiveness to consistently create separation. 

Adding strength will help finishing through contact. 

Emphasizing scoring aggression each quarter will elevate her offensive ceiling.

Projected role
Griffin projects as a rotational combo guard at the collegiate level who can grow into a reliable starter within a structured system. 

Her versatility fits motion or read-and-react offenses. 

She profiles as a dependable two-way contributor who enhances team chemistry.

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