SAINT LOUIS, Mo.–The 6th annual USJN Gateway Challenge was another big success this past weekend with 76 teams from 7 different states on hand. Plenty of well-established prospects as well as some great young talent was showcased over the course of the event. The caliber of competition was evidence of extensive depth of talent in the Midwest. Here are a few athletes that had performances worth noting.
2014
One player who has already established herself as one of the top point guards in the 2014 class is Nakia Bell (Florissant, Mo. – Missouri Red Knights 17U). Don’t let her small stature throw you off. At 5-5 she’s one of the feisty competitors in her class. Bell has tremendous basketball IQ and can create for her self or her teammates. She’s extremely quick with the ball and loves to push in transition. The vision is there to see the floor and she’s a great passer in the open and half court. Bell is not afraid of bigger defenders and loves the floater over top of them. Look for her to pull up if given a half a step or to knock down the three with deep range. Her game isn’t all offense though as she’s also one of the top on ball defenders in her class.
Tia Weledji (Overland Park, Kan. – Kansas Les Chats 17U) is a versatile 5-10 floor general. She’s a verbal leader who backs up her voice with a complementary style of play. A combo guard, there’s an extremely strong physique and a college ready body. Weledji loves to push the ball in transition and has the ability to create for herself or her teammates. There’s no fear about knocking down the pull up jumper with defenders in her face, attacking the basket and finishing with contact or to dumping it off to her 6’2 counterpart Marleah Campbell. Deep three point range is also there with a nice consistent stroke.
A 6’2 post that has a great frame and impressive mobility is Marleah Campbell (Lenexa, Kan. – Kansas Les Chats 17U). She’s fundamentally sound and can finish on both sides with contact. Campbell is a great asset in the high post and can knock down the 12 foot jumper or pass out of it to the guards cutting back door. Also, don’t leave her open beyond the three point line since she’s more than capable of knocking down the open look.
Danielle Brewer (Coatesville, Ind. – Indiana Flight Duke 16U ) is a 5’10 guard/forward that is deceivingly quicker than she looks. Additionally, Brewer has the confidence and leadership to will her team to victories. She has 3 point range, can put it on the floor with decent handles, or will look to post up smaller defenders. There’s a great basketball IQ and the ability to create for herself and others. Additionally, Brewer is not afraid to grab a rebound and go coast to coast. She isn’t all offense though as she is also among the top on ball defenders in her class.
2015
Comfortably established among the top tier of her class is Napheesa Collier (O’Fallon, Mo. – Red Knights 17U). At 6’2 there is not much this guard/forward cannot do. With amazing athleticism, a long lean stature, and a great wingspan, there is no lob that she’s not going to catch. Collier finishes on both sides with players draping on her. Her soft touch around the rim and her ability to knock down the 12-foot jumper with ease is evidence of her long established BCS caliber potential. The ability is there to grab a rebound and take it coast to coast with speed faster than most guards who are not dribbling a ball. Once she improves her 3 point shot and knocks it down with more consistency, watch out.
A big body who can do a little bit of everything from the center position is Tyler Johnson (Leavenworth, Kan.) Missouri Valley Eclipse 17U Red. She uses her 6-2 body effectively to gain position and is not afraid to be physical. When Johnson gets the ball in the paint she has a nice turnaround jumper to compliment a strong drop step that gets to the free-throw line time and again. Additionally, she’s not hesitant to shoot the high post jumper. The Kansas native is also a great rebounder who runs the floor well.
2016
Alecia Sutton (St. Louis, Mo. – St. Louis Team Adidas 14U) is a quick and athletic combo guard who can do it all. She will attack both sides of the floor, has a nice pull up jumper and utilizes the euro hop to get through bigger defenders. The 5-7 standout can create for herself and others plus has a quick release on her 3 ball.
An extremely quick and athletic combo guard, Rachel Thompson (St. Louis, Mo. – St. Louis Team Adidas 14U) loves to push the ball in transition. She will attack the rim hard and isn’t afraid of contact. Thompson, 5-7, has a good basketball IQ with lots of potential.
Ivana Easley (St. Louis, Mo. – St. Louis Team Adidas 14U) is a strong wing with a great college body already in place. The 5-7 Easley is a slasher who gets to the rim at will. Once she develops more of her mid range game she is going to be special.
One of my favorite young players on hand was Maddie Raley (Haubstadt, Ind. – Indiana Elite Swish 15U). A 2 – 3 guard with great size and athleticism, she’s a slasher who can finish with contact. Raley, at 6-2, will also look to post up smaller defenders and utilizes the turnaround jumper well. She has the range to step out and knock down the three with a quick release. Tremendous versatility and potential.
Mikayla Gilbert (Corydon, Ky. – Indiana Elite Swish 15U) is a long athletic guard/forward with a strong physique. A 5-10 slasher who can put it on the floor, Gilbert can also post up smaller defenders to exploit a mismatch. She’s not afraid to body up but can step out and shoot the three as well.
2017
A promising young athlete with a great body playing the 2/3 position is Grace Fortmann (Dardenne Praire, Mo. – Gateway Basketball Club 17U). She has decent handles and sees the floor plus has deep three point range with a quick release. Fortmann really understands the game and at 6-1 can get the rebound and push.
Madison Treece (St. Peters, Mo. – Gateway Basketball ball Club 17U) is another great young talent who plays center. She runs the floor well and can finish with contact on both sides. Treece uses her body to seal and gain position and has soft hands.
