WESTFIELD, Ind.—Some strategic moves by the good folks from Nike altered the landscape and focus of the July NCAA recruiting period right out of the gate this summer. As the gold standard for travel and club basketball, USJN certainly doesn’t need a “shot in the arm” to maintain the credibility it’s experience and schedule of events brings to the table. However, the addition of the Nike EYBL and 16 of their 32 team lineup guaranteed that the 14th Annual USJN Premier Showcase in Indianapolis would provide an extensive roster of college recruiters and a prime setting to maximize opportunities for any program or players in the gym.
A total of 284 teams made their way to the Hoosier capital city representing 27 states and Canada. Well over 400 college coaches roamed the sidelines for three days watching five divisions as well as the entire second round of play for the Maya Moore and Elena Delle Donne divisions of the EYBL.
To see a complete list of those teams and coaches in attendance as well as Pool All-Stars and results follow the link below to the post event page for 2017 USJN Premier Showcase.
http://usjn.com/xtm_post_event_photos_new.php?which=438
Also, for a look at our initial coverage of the EYBL action in Indianapolis follow the link below to Blue Star Media.
http://www.bluestarmedia.org/eybl-stage-chicago-nike-nationals/
As always there was way more talent in the gym than we could possibly see but here’s 20 athletes who offered up some moments that caught the eye of our evaluators in Indy beyond the Nike crowd. Keep in mind they’re in alphabetical order and are not a statement or reflection regarding status, rankings or collegiate potential. Any other interpretation would be inaccurate and inappropriate.
Dezmonea Antwine – 2019 – 5-7 – Guard – (Aurora, CO – Boulder Rockies 17 Blue Star) – Aggressive, high-motor two guard showcased aggressive on-ball defense and impressive open-court speed…Attack mentality serves her well against bigger guards…Penetrator who knows when to rise up and when to dish…Improved outside shooting will compliment her game
Caily Bolser – 2020 – 6-4 – Forward/Center – (Roann, IN – Indiana’s Best 17 Red) – Solid-framed forward with good length and mobility showed off impressive touch in the paint, scoring over same-sized defender…Runs well…Called for the ball in good low post position and released to ball on catch…Keep eye on
Anna Camden – 2019 – 6-2 – Forward – (Downingtown, PA – Philadelphia Belles 15 EYBL) – Improved post prospect battled her way out of previous face-up only evaluations by showing good toughness and nose for ball…Dangerous on rim runs…Trail 3 threat from TOK…Called for ball and set up defender nicely…On the cusp
Neveah Dean – 2020 – 6-2 – Forward – (Hamilton, OH – Sports City U 17 7.0) – Dangerous offensive weapon showed advanced feel and scoring ability…Smooth catch and shoot ability from both long range and two-point territory…Can bury a jumper and then bury defender in paint on next possession…Must-watch for top tier recruiters
Maddie Doring – 2018 – 5-11 – Guard/Forward – (Sayreville, NJ – NJ Belles 17) – Lean, athletically framed small forward with some slide-four ability…Strong north-south runner; perhaps a bit slower laterally…Hard-nosed and mixes it up in the paint battling for rebounds…Won’t wow you with any one single skill set but plays maturely and composed
Sienna Durr – 2018 – 6-0 – Forward – (Grinnell, IA – Kingdom Hoops 17 Elite Davis) – Long, rangy forward runs the floor hard and is active on both ends of the court…Natural four-player intent on improving perimeter skill set…Slasher ability on perimeter catch with long first step…high-energy teammate
Chloe Dworak – 2018 – 5-6 – Point Guard – (Lincoln, NE – All Nebraska Attack 17 Elite) – Sparkplug point guard runs team with maturity…Outstanding floater game has clearly been practiced…Can drill three if left unguarded…Compact frame
Isabelle Forsyth – 2021 – 6-0 – Forward — (Langley, British Columbia – BC United Blue Star 13) – Long, agile 4/5 competes hard on both ends of the floor…Excellent leaper and secures two-handed boards…Runs floor hard and well…Showed refined dribble drop-step move to jump hook with both hands on deep seal…Keep eye on
Kate Garry – 2020 – 5-9 – Guard – (Cincinnati, OH – Cincy Swish 15 Baltimore) – Lefty “strokeaholic” shooter gets hot and stays hot from deep…drilled multiple back-to-back triples from three…Running style makes her best suited for half-court game
Sha’lynn Hagans – 2019 – 5-6 – Guard – (Manassas, VA – Fairfax Stars 15 EYBL) – Athletic high-motor off guard combines still raw moments with natural playmaking instincts…Rim attacker with strong pull-up game…Excellent intensity on the defensive end; hawks ballhandlers and plays passing lanes…Strong upside
Josiah Lacey – 2020 – 6-0 – Wing – (Douglassville, PA – Philadelphia Belles 15 EYBL) – Long, lean off-guard/weak was in attack mode for much of the tournament…Excellent finisher with multiple Rondo/reverse counters to defensive positioning…Improving offensive arsenal…Showed three-point range
Julianna Lignowski – 2018 – 6-0 – Wing – (Middle Village, NY – New Heights 17 Blue Rosa) – Thin, super-rangy wing with unorthodox game…Moves like a soccer player and develops non-linear attack angles…High motor…Slasher game with developing perimeter ability
Silke Milliman – 2019 – 6-2 – Forward – (Mount Hermon, MA – NY Havoc 17) – “Silke” indeed; smooth operator demonstrated advanced offensive game both around the basket and from long range…GREAT touch; perhaps smoothest and most natural finisher at this event…Ball leaves her hands effortlessly from both rim-front and from 19’9”…ORB threat
Aleah Nelson – 2019 – 5-5 – Point Guard – (Nottingham, MD – MD Belles 15 McAleer) – Small guard with big personality elicits smiles from college coaches with intensity and electric demeanor…Can both run team and score when opportunity presents itself…Excellent yo-yo handles make her difficult to pressure…Midrange game developing
Ella Pope – 2019 – 6-0 – Guard/Forward – (Orem, UT – Colorado Premier 15 EYBL) – Big, heady, high IQ player showed off point forward skills to go along with post-up ability and willingness to mix it up in paint…Grabs defensive board and pushes in transition…Makes up for average footspeed with smart play and toughness
Carly Rivera – 2019 – 5-5 – Point Guard – (Arlington, VA – Fairfax Stars 15 EYBL) – High-energy go-go point guard delivers passes on-time, on-target…Can play in transition or run team in half court…Enough range to keep defenses honest…Can get bothered by defensive length
Brooke Schramek – 2020 – 6-2 – Forward – (Naperville, IL – Lady Lightning 17 Platinum Seberger) – Smart player taking advantage of role with older team…Face four ability and can dial it up from long range…Runs floor well…System player who knows when to shoot and when to pass
Koi Sims – 2021 – 5-11 – Forward – (Glen Burnie, MD – MD Belles 13 Johnson) – Do-it-all type makes it difficult to pin her to a position…Solid frame with plus athleticism…Finishes at the rim with both hands…Scorer mentality with a knack for putting the ball through the hoop…Easy stroke on jumper…ballhandling skills not quite prime-time ready but improving
Jackie Vargas – 2020 – 6-2 – Forward – (Maple Glen, PA – Philadelphia Belles 14 Lee) – Major shotblocker; protects the paint like Jonquel Jones…Excellent weakside rotation and times shotblocking with ease…Doesn’t over pursue blocks like a lot of young post players…Improving offensive game
Sydney Wilson – 2018 – 6-0 – Wing – (Overland Park, KS – Les Chats 17) – Slender, athletic wing continues to see stock rise with improved aggressive play…Slash game with Euro-step footwork yields consistent results on paint touches…Rangy frame has BCS school potential…Continued focus on perimeter shooting will determine level
