University of Minnesota Athletics
Photo by: Brady Paitrick
Kylee Paben and Natalie Kussow Garner Gatorade State Player of the Year Awards
3/13/2026 10:58:00 AM | Women's Basketball
The pair will join Minnesota's squad as freshmen for the 2026-27
MINNEAPOLIS - Kylee Paben (Omaha, Neb.) and Natalie Kussow (Hartland, Wis.) have won Gatorade State Player of the Year honors for their respective states. The signees will join Minnesota's squad for the 2026-27 season.
Kylee Paben
The senior forward led the Wildcats to a 21-5 record and the Class A semifinals this past season. Paben averaged 19.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.5 steals per game, including a 30-point effort along with six rebounds and five steals in a 63-52 win over Millard North.
The leading scorer in Class A this past season, as well as the 2025 state tournament Most Outstanding Player, she is ranked as the state's No. 1 recruit in her class by PrepGirlsHoops. She concluded her prep career with 1,176 points and 584 rebounds.
Natalie Kussow
At the time of her selection, the senior guard had led the Warhawks to a 26-2 record and a berth in the Division I state tournament semifinal. Kussow averaged 26.9 points, 7.6 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 3.0 steals and 1.1 blocks through 28 games.
The state's returning Gatorade Player of the Year, Kussow is ranked as the nation's No. 26 recruit in the Class of 2026 by 247Sports. She entered the state semifinals with 2,736 points in her prep basketball career.
Kylee Paben
The senior forward led the Wildcats to a 21-5 record and the Class A semifinals this past season. Paben averaged 19.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.5 steals per game, including a 30-point effort along with six rebounds and five steals in a 63-52 win over Millard North.
The leading scorer in Class A this past season, as well as the 2025 state tournament Most Outstanding Player, she is ranked as the state's No. 1 recruit in her class by PrepGirlsHoops. She concluded her prep career with 1,176 points and 584 rebounds.
Natalie Kussow
At the time of her selection, the senior guard had led the Warhawks to a 26-2 record and a berth in the Division I state tournament semifinal. Kussow averaged 26.9 points, 7.6 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 3.0 steals and 1.1 blocks through 28 games.
The state's returning Gatorade Player of the Year, Kussow is ranked as the nation's No. 26 recruit in the Class of 2026 by 247Sports. She entered the state semifinals with 2,736 points in her prep basketball career.
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