Minnesota has produced several standout girls high school basketball players, with Paige Bueckers being one of the most notable. A list of the ten best players in the state's history has been compiled, highlighting their impact on the sport.
Key points
Minnesota has a rich history in girls high school basketball.
Paige Bueckers is among the notable players from Minnesota.
A list of the ten best players has been compiled.
These players have impacted both college and professional basketball.
The state is celebrating its sports figures as part of a national recognition.
Mentioned in this story
Minnesota
Paige Bueckers
Women's basketball in Minnesota is often in the spotlight, with the Lynx and Gophers routinely making a splash at the sports' highest levels.
But it all starts with high school, and some of the sport's biggest names - ever heard of Paige Bueckers? - have come from the Land of 10,000 Lakes. So, who among them would land on a list of the state's ten best of all time?
As theĀ United States approaches its 250th anniversary, USA TODAY Sports will celebrate theĀ 250 greatest American sports figures of all time. Alongside that national recognition, the USA TODAY Network will spotlight the roots of the countryās sports culture:the high school athletes and sports figures who shaped communities and defined their states.
These are our selections for the girls basketball players who defined Minnesota. The 10 players (listed in alphabetical order) were all standout high school players before going on to play at both the college and professional ranks.
Did we miss someone? There's a spot for you to write in your own candidate who wasn't included on our list of 10.
Kicking things off is Banham, a Minnesota basketball star through and through. She led Lakeville North to a state title and a 32-0 record in 2010 before heading on to break Lindsay Whalenās all-time scoring record at the University of Minnesota.
Paige Bueckers, Hopkins
Bueckers has become one of the most prominent young faces of the WNBA after going first in the 2025 draft, and she was already a star back in her Hopkins days. Generating buzz from very early on, Bueckers was a McDonaldās All-American, the Naismith Prep Player of the Year and Hopkinsā all-time leader in points, assists and steals before heading off to success at UConn and the .
Q&A
Who are the top girls high school basketball players in Minnesota?
The list includes ten standout players, with Paige Bueckers recognized as one of the best.
What impact have Minnesota girls high school basketball players had on the sport?
These players have significantly influenced women's basketball, achieving success at both college and professional levels.
How is Minnesota celebrating its top sports figures?
Minnesota is part of a national celebration recognizing the 250 greatest American sports figures, focusing on high school athletes who shaped the sport.
What is the significance of high school basketball in Minnesota?
High school basketball serves as a foundation for many successful players, contributing to the state's strong basketball culture.
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Basketball runs in the Coffey family ā Niaās father is former NBA player Richard Coffey and her brother is current NBA player Amir Coffey. Nia cemented her own legacy when she led Hopkins to three straight state championships from 2014-2016, averaging 18.6 points per game as a senior before heading to a prolific career at Northwestern and a fifth overall pick in the 2017 WNBA draft.
Rebekah Dahlman, Braham
Dahlman sat on top of Minnesotaās record books for years, holding the all-time scoring record of 5,060 points for over a decade before it was broken earlier this year. Along with many of her list-mates, Dahlman was Minnesotaās Ms. Basketball as a senior, averaging a whopping 35.3 points per game that year.
Maddyn Greenway, Providence Academy
The most recent player on this list, Greenway has already etched her name in the history books. She was the one who broke Dahlmanās all-time scoring record back in March, ending her high school career with 5,621 points and five consecutive state titles. This fall, sheāll be heading south to play for Kentucky.
Tayler Hill, Minneapolis South
Hill is a staple among Minnesota girls basketball royalty. She ended her high school career with 3,888 points, making her the stateās leading all-time scorer at the time, and went on to go fourth overall in the 2013 WNBA draft.
Coco and Kelly Miller, Rochester Mayo
Itās two-for-one with this identical twin duo that took the state by storm. They were jointly named Minnesotaās Ms. Basketball in 1997 after leading Rochester Mayo to the state title, and both went on to be first-round picks in the 2001 WNBA draft.
Kelly Roysland, Fosston
Roysland was trophy-stacking during her high school years, leading Fosston to a state-record 78 consecutive wins and three state titles (with an extra two under her belt on the volleyball team). She went on to be a solid contributor at the University of Minnesota.
Carlie Wagner, New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva
State tournaments were Wagnerās playground. She finished her high school career as the record holder for state tournament career points, single-game points, and single-game field-goal attempts, helping NRHEG win back-to-back state titles.
Lindsay Whalen, Hutchinson
Last but certainly not least, Whalen is one of the names synonymous with Minnesota womenās basketball for decades. At Hutchinson, she led the Tigers to three consecutive conference championships and was a four-time all-state selection before a storied career at the University of Minnesota. She stuck around to lead the Minnesota Lynx to four WNBA championships before joining their coaching staff.
