24′ G Madisen McDaniel – Team Takeover EYBL / Bishop McNamara (MD): There may not be a player who’s taken up more slack from TTO’s plethora of last season’s departed offensive assets than McDaniel. Strict and high-pressure defense has remained consistent in her production, including multiple halves with 4+ steals alone, but improved speed and reaction time on that end of the floor have burst open her scoring in transition. Assertive play in the half-court has also increased her overall scoring drastically behind complete shooting performances..
24′ C Kate Koval – Exodus NYC EYBL / Long Island Lutheran (NY): The level of activity from Koval this weekend was rather impressive. Continuing to elevate her production and efficacy on the court, the LuHi product made shot after shot in the paint under circumstances of heavy traffic. She brought physicality and touch to finish over shot-blockers, but more noticeable was how fluid and present she was in transition. Koval’s overall play separated her significantly from the other bigs at the event..
24′ G Shaelyn Steele – WV Thunder UAA / Russell (KY): Steele only gets better with each viewing. Stout defensive footwork and acceleration push ball-handlers into turnovers, even 94 feet from her team’s basket. Her offensive game continues to thrive off of downhill penetration and the ability to finish through bigger defenders. Her mid-range pull-up is no less potent and is an aspect of her game that can be heavily relied on..
25′ ZaKiyah Johnson – WV Thunder UAA / Sacred Heart Academy (KY): Shot selection or usage weren’t rushed, but Johnson hit from everywhere this weekend. Tailoring the game to her matchups, she stayed adaptable and knocked down shots as they presented themselves. The defensive end wasn’t any different, as Johnson provided effective and timely rotations to contest shots, clog passing lanes and tie up ball-handlers..
25′ G Kamryn Kitchen – Team Curry UAA / Independence (NC): Deep range and a consistent release, Kitchen is a reliable threat behind the arc. Her footwork getting shots off looks quicker than a year ago, but she’s also showing more dynamic creation of this shot OTD against prominent defenders. She had no issues putting this sequence together and maintaining neutral and balanced body position to consistently hit shots on the move..
25′ G Caliyah DeVillasee – Elevate Elite 3SSB / Our Lady of Good Counsel (MD): DeVillasee’s poised and productive pick-and-roll play was on full display again. She makes great reads, draws in defenders and gets the ball where it needs to go to score. While screen usage was effective, she aggressively generated opportunities for herself to score through paint touches and crafty defender manipulation from ball-fakes. Her defensive pressure was consistent and she frequently broke away for transition buckets..
26′ G Jordyn Jackson – Team Takeover EYBL / Sidwell Friends (DC): Jackson’s continued emergence as an elite prospect in the 26′ class was evident in Pittsburgh. Relentlessly attacked the paint OTD, fought through contact and kept her dribble alive with counter moves to get shots off and draw fouls. Offensive focus was highlighted by strong awareness off-ball and cutting behind the backline to put home layups. Also brought home a lot of value cleaning up the defensive glass and initiating the break herself..
Committed Prospects:
24′ W Kendall Dudley – Team Durant EYBL / Sidwell Friends (DC) / UCLA: Rebounding is typically a great jumpstart for Dudley’s play on the court and she’ll always find a way to produce for her team. This weekend pointed to focused performances however, notably her presence to not settle for jumpers and attack the rim any chance she had the ball in scoring position. It rewarded her with consistent buckets around the paint and frequent trips to the FT line. With that approach she’s lethal..
24′ F Lauren Gerken – Always 100 3SSB / Liberty Benton (OH) / Bowling Green: Gerken’s offensive game continues to pay dividends. The forward holds her own on the block and in the paint, but her shooting ability is a big asset on that end of the floor. Range from the perimeter to the FT line proved particularly effective this weekend, but also projects her potential contributions as a freshman could come early even with limited opportunities..
25′ G Lanie Grant – WV Thunder UAA / James River (VA) / UNC: Grant’s perimeter contributions were notable this weekend, as they typically are in any game, but she showed high levels of success putting the ball on the floor. She pivoted off her 3-point successes and closing defenders to blow-by them off shot fakes. Ended up knocking down multiple mid-range attempts relocating off-the-catch. Not to go unmentioned, but Grant’s footwork on the defensive end and anticipation are promising areas of development..