With the 2022-2023 high school basketball season underway, we are answering the question of who the top girls basketball players and recruits are in Florida, including the leading players in the class of 2023 and some in 2024 as well.
Florida is typically loaded with top basketball talent for both boys and girls teams, thanks in large part to powerhouse programs such as Montverde Academy and IMG Academy consistently churning out some of the highest-ranked recruits in the country. There’s no shortage of top-tier talent, and that’s just as true for girls basketball as it is for boys. Let’s take a look at some of the top players in Florida this season.
1. Taliah Scott, G, St. Johns Country Day School
When talking about female sports, St. Johns Country Day is best known for its women’s soccer program, a team that has won 11 state titles in a row, but there’s no lack of talent on the hardwood, either. The Spartans’ best hoops player this year is Taliah Scott, a guard who is ranked as the 11th overall player in the country on ESPN’s 100 list.
Scott is rated as a 5-star player and is committed to play for the Arkansas Razorbacks next year. She’s No. 1 on our list of top girls basketball players in Florida for the 2022-2023 season.
2. Chloe Kitts, F, Faith Christian Academy
The 6-foot, 3-inch forward for Faith Christian Academy is also a five-star prospect and is ranked as the No. 17 player in the nation. Kitts is committed to play collegiately for the South Carolina Gamecocks, whom she chose over schools such as Duke and Louisville.
In her junior season Kitts averaged 18.7 points and 8.2 rebounds per game. She was also a member of the 2022 USA Basketball Women’s U18 National Team, which went undefeated and won a gold medal at the 2022 FIBA WU18 Americas Championship.
3. Emma Risch, G, Palm Bay Magnet HS
Another top prospect in a loaded recruiting class from Florida, Risch is also rated as a 5-star recruit and is listed as the number 20 overall player in ESPN’s top 100 list. She is committed to play for Notre Dame. A year ago the Palm Bay standout averaged 20.5 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists per game.
4. Letycia Vasconcelos, C, Montverde Academy
No high school basketball list would be complete, regardless of boys or girls, without mentioning the ever-dominant powerhouse of Montverde Academy. Vasconcelos is the standout player for the Eagles this year. She’s a native of Brazil and has a four-star rating by ESPN.
Standing at 6 feet, 7 inches, Vasconcelos is the tallest player in all of girls high school basketball on the ESPN 100 list. The Eagle star is rated as the number 36 overall prospect and is committed to Baylor.
5. Sahnya Jah, G, Montverde Academy
Not far down the list from Vasconcelos, at 40th overall in the country, is teammate and guard Sahnya Jah. Jah moved to Monteverde after playing three seasons in Maryland and hopes to help the Eagles girls basketball squad repeat as high school national champions, a feat the boys team has accomplished three times in a row. Like some other players on this list, she is committed to play for the South Carolina Gamecocks in college.
6. Olivia McGhee, G, IMG Academy
Much like Montverde, IMG Academy was a lock to produce players who would show up on this list. McGee is ranked as the 45th overall player in the country on ESPN’s list. Last season she averaged 22.8 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game. After receiving 27 scholarship offers, McGhee has committed to play at the University of Virginia when her high school career closes.
7. Sarah Rambus, F, IMG Academy
Another IMG product, Rambus is listed as the 66th overall prospect in the nation. As Rambus, who’s originally from Michigan, began to climb the ranks as a top-rated player, she chose to move to Bradenton and join the IMG girls basketball squad. A season ago she averaged 16.8 points, 6 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game. Rambus is committed to play for Oregon.
8. Mjracle Sheppard, G, Montverde Academy
Mjracle is another prospect from Montverde who ranks as one of the top girls high school basketball players in Florida and nationwide. The 5-foot, 10-inch guard is ranked as the 86th best overall player in the country and is committed to play for the Mississippi State Bulldogs.
9. Alexandra Blue (’24), G, Lake Highland Prep
Although not graduating in 2023, Blue is the next highest rated player in girls basketball for this season. She’s a 6-foot guard for the Highlanders who has yet to commit to a college team. She is ranked 30th in ESPN’s 2024 recruiting class and helped lead Lake Highland to a state championship last year.
10. Eris Lester (’24), G, Orange Park
Another 2024 prospect, Eris Lester is as talented as anyone on this list of top girls basketball players in Florida. ESPN ranked her as the number 36th overall player in the country for the class of 2024. Lester has averaged 20.8 points per game and 8.3 rebounds per game for Orange Park over the last two seasons. She is currently uncommitted to any colleges.
