Standing at 5’11”, Naja Winston is a versatile and rapidly developing basketball standout representing North Central High School and TyHarris Elite 17U.
A proud member of the Class of 2026, Naja brings a unique blend of size, athleticism, and IQ to the floor, which allows her to impact the game in multiple ways.
Whether she’s defending the perimeter, pushing the ball in transition, or knocking down mid-range shots, Naja exudes confidence and maturity well beyond her years.
Naja’s game is rooted in discipline and work ethic.
Her motto, “Just trying to improve one day at a time,” isn’t just a quote, it’s a lifestyle she embodies every time she steps on the hardwood.
She consistently displays excellent defensive instincts, active hands, and court awareness that disrupts offensive flow.
Offensively, she thrives in the open court, showing flashes of explosive finishing ability and strong rebounding from the wing.
What makes her stand out most, however, is her ability to adapt.
She’s coachable, receptive to feedback, and shows clear improvements month-to-month.
Playing in a high-level AAU program like TyHarris Elite provides her the opportunity to compete against elite-level talent, and Naja never backs down from the challenge.
As she matures physically and mentally, she is showing signs of becoming a complete two-way player with major upside at the collegiate level.
With continued growth, Naja Winston has the potential to be one of the top wings in her class, not just in Indiana but nationally.
Her game is trending upward, and she’s just getting started.
Strengths & Areas for Improvement
Strengths:
Naja’s length and lateral quickness make her a highly effective on-ball defender.
She anticipates passing lanes well and converts turnovers into transition opportunities.
Her rebounding from the guard/wing spot is impressive, particularly on the defensive glass.
She also has a developing mid-range pull-up and uses her frame well to shield defenders when driving.
Areas for Improvement:
While Naja has great tools, refining her ball-handling under pressure will elevate her impact, especially when facing high-level defensive schemes.
Developing more consistency from three-point range will also stretch defenses and open up driving lanes.
Finally, learning to use her voice more on defense and offense, becoming a vocal leader, will help her command the court and elevate teammates.
Conclusion
Naja Winston is exactly the type of player that college coaches should be paying close attention to.
Her combination of size, effort, and upside make her a must-watch prospect in the Class of 2026.
She has the physical makeup to guard multiple positions, and she’s steadily improving on offense to become a more complete scorer.
Her performances with TyHarris Elite 17U have shown she can compete at a high level, and her steady progression is a testament to her work ethic and mindset.
She plays the game with quiet intensity, never shying away from physical play or big moments.
The consistency in her growth curve signals a high ceiling, especially once she fully develops her perimeter shot and tightens her handle.
With two years still remaining in high school, the best is yet to come.
If she stays locked in and continues to trust the process, Naja could be a name we see making noise deep into March Madness in a few years.
She is a rising star with next-level potential.