Two years ago, Megan Walker was instilled as the No. 1 sophomore prospect in the nation. She went on to lead Monacan (Chesterfield, Virginia) to a state title. Last year, she was the No. 1 junior in the nation. She went on to score her 1,000th point and lead Monacan to a second straight state title.
Care to guess who the No. 1 senior in the nation is?
Walker, a 6-foot-1 undeclared guard, is staying put as the top prospect in her class as the espnW HoopGurlz rankings expand to a Top 100 for 2017, the Super 60 for 2018 and the Terrific 25 for the 2019 class.
But don't let that fool you. The shuffle is real.
Here are 10 things you need to know about the updated espnW HoopGurlz player rankings.
1. A new No. 1 junior
Olivia Nelson-Ododa, a 6-4 post player at Winder-Barrow (Georgia), takes over the top spot in the 2018 class. Over the summer, she did her level best to take over the top spot on the planet. Playing on the USA Basketball U17 team at the FIBA world championships in Zaragoza, Spain, Nelson-Ododa averaged a team-high 12.0 points and 9.4 rebounds, second best on Team USA. We weren't there to see it, but we know how she did it: Quickness. Crazy quickness. She also has superb hands and basket-to-basket speed in transition. Her brother, Alonzo, played at Pitt, and her dad, Sebastian, played on Kenya's national team. All the big-time schools are knocking on Nelson-Ododa's door, but she has remained grounded, to the point that she doesn't take calls on Sunday, which is family day at home.
2. The stat-filling sophomore
The No. 1 thing you need to know about Samantha Brunelle is that she's the No. 1 sophomore prospect in the nation. Here's the second: In one game last season as a freshman at Monroe (Stanardsville, Virginia), she scored 52 points and grabbed 28 rebounds. After dropping that bundle of wonder, it probably goes without saying that Brunelle is versatile. But we're going to say it anyway: She can battle in traffic under the rim or step out to the arc and hit the 3. She was the only member of the 2019 recruiting class who made Team USA's U17 team.
3. There's something about Virginia
Now that you're up to speed on Walker and Brunelle, allow us to introduce you to another Virginia superstar, Malury Bates. Never heard of her? There's a good reason. Unranked coming into the summer, the 6-3 senior forward at William Fleming (Roanoke, Virginia) has risen all the way to 68 in the Top 100. Ultra-athletic with superb footwork, Bates has the ability to deliver points in the paint as well as provide a defensive presence. Versatile enough to play with either her back to the basket or facing the rim, Bates is coveted by many of the power programs that you see in late March and early April.
4. There's more about Virginia
Shakira Austin, a junior center at Colonial Forge (Stafford, Virginia) who is pushing 6-5, skyrocketed up the charts this summer to No. 5 in the 2018 class. She's a shot-blocker supreme and she runs the floor like a guard. She has great hands and superior quickness. If it sounds as if she's destined to make a difference at the next level, it's because we think she is. Not to open the floodgates, but Austin has yet to limit her list of schools.
5. Meet the top freshman
DeYona' Gaston is interested in becoming an architect one day. For now, schools across the country are hoping to build around her. The 6-3 center will make her high school debut later this year at Pearland (Texas), but the book on her is already thick. Chapter 1: Quick. Chapter 2: Strong. Chapter 3: Versatile. Chapter 4: Smart. "Her basketball IQ is much higher than most kids her age," Pearland coach Lauren Martens said. "She can bring the ball up and break a press. She shares the ball. Her rebounding, her shooting -- everything is on point." Colleges are lining up.
6. Shoot, don't spike
Papillion, Nebraska, is known across the country as a hotbed for volleyball. Junior Payton Brotzki, who calls Papillion home, is hoping to put it on the map for basketball. Tough, physical and consistent, the 5-11 forward at Platteview (Springfield, Nebraska) puts up first-rate numbers in the heartland. A first-team Super State selection as a sophomore, Brotzki has positioned herself right in the thick of things in the Super 60.
7. Washington in July
Taya Corosdale, a 6-2 senior forward at Bothell (Washington), was a force over the summer and therefore rises in the fall. Producing results on both ends of the floor, Corosdale gives a consistent offensive game to the arc as well as a capable inside game. The Pac-12 seems to be of the most interest to her. She has narrowed her possible destinations to Arizona, Arizona State, Washington and UCLA. First stop, Arizona this weekend.
8. Center stage
Aliyah Boston, a 6-4 sophomore center at Worcester Academy (Massachusetts), sprouted more than 3 inches in the past year and has become a prominent target on the national scene. On top of the physical growth, Boston's game has grown as well. She's already a double-double machine, and she still has plenty of room to improve on offense. The secret is already out, and the power-5 programs are circling.
9. Sister act
Don't do a double-take, but meet Myra Gordon, a 5-10 freshman shooting guard at L.D. Bell (Hurst, Texas). A spitting image of sister Lexi Gordon, a Connecticut commit in the 2017 class, the younger Gordon brings size to the backcourt and an adept scoring ability. Sound familiar?
10. Swish
One of the premier prospects in the class of 2020 can be found in the backyard of Nike headquarters. Cameron Brink, a 6-4 freshman forward at Southridge (Beaverton, Oregon), is very long and, yes, very skilled. The sky is the limit, and she already has a cool connection with stars. Her mom, Michelle, played basketball at Virginia Tech (1985-88) and happened to be roommates with Sonya Curry, who has a fairly talented son. Yup, that Stephen Curry.