The Under Armour Next Elite 24 Showcase has officially begun, with the three-day showcase kicking off with practice on Thursday, a scrimmage on Friday and a nationally televised game scheduled for this Saturday on ESPNU.
The 2025, 2026 and 2027 recruiting classes will feature 24 of the best female high school prospects in the country, with over 75% of participants being five-star recruits.
Thursday was a relatively easy day with a lot of individual and three-on-three drills, but on Friday, both teams fielded 12 players each, and some of the best freshmen in the country competed in a grueling 40-minute battle.
Many players showed off their talents, but two stood out in particular: 2026 five-star guard Kate Harplin and 2026 five-star forward Olivia Edwards.
Kate Harprin
Harping was one of the first players to stand out on opening day Thursday, quickly demonstrating an ability to shoot from long distance during individual training sessions.
One of the better players we saw in the open shooting drill, Harprin was able to consistently make shots from numerous 3-point spots on the court, showcasing one of the most improved areas of her game.
That momentum carried over into Friday’s scrimmage, where the Atlanta native showed flashes of potential as a three-level scorer. Not only was he able to make shots, but Harplin also had a nice off-hand drive against fellow five-star Devine Burrows and got close to the rim for a layup.
But that’s not the only thing that stood out about the 5-foot-10 guard. Harprin also excels at physical defense, which has been one of her trademarks as she has developed into one of the top high school talents.
Although he was called for a few (questionable) fouls during the scrimmage, the five-star player showed no signs of losing his enthusiasm on the court.
“I was called two or three times. [fouls]”Maybe I could have let my arms go a little bit more, but we’re going to play hard defensively,” Harpring said after the scrimmage. “We’ve got some close fouls, but overall we’re going to continue to play hard.”
Harplin, who plays for Marist School in Atlanta, Georgia, aspires to be a point guard at the next level and wanted to prove himself against the best players at the position in the Under Armour Next Elite 24.
Harprin averaged 27.8 points and 7.8 rebounds per game as a sophomore at Marist last season while leading the team to the Class 6A state championship game, including a 45-point performance in the semifinals to lead the War Eagles to an overtime win over River Ridge and a 27-point performance in the championship game.
Heading into next year, the third-year student is looking to improve his game and become an even more effective scorer while maintaining his status as one of the top point guards in the country.
“I’m just trying to get better in every aspect,” Harprin said. “I want to work on my jump shot more. [the] Not just mid-range or anything like that, but maintaining my defense and being a three-level scorer, [and] Just keep playing.”
Olivia Edwards
At guard, Harpring was one of the standouts, while five-star 2026 recruit Olivia Edwards was one of the top big men in attendance during the first two days of the Under Armour Next Elite24.
Edwards was one of the taller players on the field at 6-foot-3, but on the offensive side of things, he stood out right from day one with his soft touch and consistency around the rim.
This is one area where the five-star player has developed, becoming a two-way player who can play well from the post.
“My stepdad coaches me, and when I first started playing I was known for being able to block shots and being a big guy,” Edwards admitted. “He didn’t like that. He was like, ‘She can do more.’ I played football and wrestled, so he already saw my athleticism and other sports.”
So he knew he could get that out of me, and so we started working on that. [the finishing] The origin is, [as well as] It’s about being able to dribble. Just practice a lot at home.”
Edwards is a strong defender, with excellent instincts as a rim protector, able to defend the paint well, block shots at a high rate and secure rebounds.
But overall, the five-star player, who is ranked as the No. 7 recruit in the 2026 class, has a good feel for the game both defensively and defensively, which is great for a big man, especially at her age.
“I think I just try to do what I feel is necessary in the game,” Edwards said, “so if I need to be in the paint to win the game, I’ll do that. If I need to be on the outside, I’ll pull a big out that’s guarding me and then I’ll go inside. That’s what I want to do. I just want to be available to do whatever the team needs me to do.”
The Elite 24 was a big test for Edwards, who continues to prove herself at the national level, competing against a host of five-star forwards and centers, but the moment didn’t seem to be all that big for her.
“It’s really all about the mentality and your mindset and how you view it,” Edwards acknowledged. “You can view it as, ‘Oh, the pressure is so much and the pressure is on,’ or you can view it as, ‘I’m a dog and today I’m going to show everyone what I can do.'”
I feel like my mom really helps me out when I have terrible anxiety, worrying about what other people think. She gives me pep talks and tells me, ‘Hey, you can do it. You’re the best. Go for it.’ That’s what I’m working on. Even if I’m not doing well in a game, I focus on the things I can control, like rebounding. So it’s just that mindset piece and how to change it.”
The soon-to-be junior revealed that mentality has affected her in past years, especially in the middle of games, but that area has grown during her sophomore season and helped her improve overall.
“I think my shooting has improved. I think my leadership has definitely improved. And I’ve been able to bounce back mentally,” Edwards said of last year.
“Before, I would think too much during a match and it would take away from my focus. But now, I feel like I can try again and bounce back even if I make a mistake. That’s a big part of it because that’s how I used to be. My mom always told me, ‘The only thing that can stop you is you.’ So I just focus on being able to bounce back even if I make a mistake.”
Heading into the 2024 season, Edwards is confident and looking to hone all aspects of his skills in order to have another strong season.
