BOWIE, Md.— Another July NCAA Evaluation period has come and gone and the Division I recruiters are grounded once more by Big Brother and the legislative process.  That hardly means that the gyms are empty and that there’s no talent to be seen anywhere.  The first Saturday in August has, for the past eight years, been a mainstay for evaluators and media looking to get a late summer sneak peek at the very promising generation of elite talent on the horizon.

The Rites of Passage Showcase presented by Lisa Bodine and the Godmother Sports Foundation has earned a spot as a mainstay on the calendar of any entity surrounding the game.  The hand-picked, invitation only roster features some of the top talent in the D.C., Maryland and Virginia area as well an ever expanding geographical base.  ROP alumni have played at the pinnacle of collegiate basketball, worn the red, white and blue of the USA and multiple players have had the opportunity to play professionally.

This time around 65 players representing 11 states and the District of Columbia took to the floor of the City of Bowie Gym for some always needed and much appreciated instruction as well as some 3 on 3, 4 on 4 and 5 on 5 action in front of a bevy of individuals with rosters and pen in hand.  Also, for the first time, the full court action was streamed live providing an opportunity for those campus bound coaches, relatives and fans to see those prospects climbing to the top tier of their respective young classes.  One 2025 graduate was among the mix this year as were six in the 2024 class and 25 more set to walk the stage in 2023.  The remaining athletes were 2022 class members making up a diverse, talented and very impressive field.

As always in a one-day event, it’s a challenge to see everyone and to catch them at their best when we do get that chance.  Multiple players impressed us with moments that provided just a quick glimpse of things to come in their very bright futures.  Here are some of those athletes you’ll be hearing more from over the coming years both scholastically and collegiately.  They’re young and still evolving so these are just quick snapshots. Once again, we’re passing on listing heights based on their youth, potential for growth and the very wishful thinking of some of the numbers provided up front.

Cori Barnes – 2022 – Perry Hall, Maryland– Solid guard…Makes good choices…Can get to the rim…Form is there on the shot…Some strength

Kayla Beckford – 2022 – Paterson, New Jersey– Evolving more as a guard…Stronger…Ballhandling serves her well…Sees the floor…Got on the boards…Had moments

Gianni Boone – 2022 – Washington, D.C.– Long and wiry build…Active…Works well among help on the drive…Passing skills are there…Evolving

Paris Clark – 2022 – Huntington, New York– Navigates traffic…Improves her options…Has some speed with the ball…Gets to the rim…Vision and passing are there…Makes plays…Assertive and impact defender

Jaedyn Cook – 2023 – Richmond, Virginia– Size and frame for age…Good agility…Showed flashes…Stepped out a time or two…Young with promise

Gia Cooke – 2022 – Clinton, Maryland– Vision is there…Sharp passing…Acceleration off the move…Crossover and back gets her by defenders…Potential to grow is there…Efficient on the drive…Continues to advance

Kendall Dudley – 2024 – Centerville, Virginia– Size and athleticism for age…Active with the ball…Good length serves her on both ends…Elevates…Can slash…Creates shots and passes

Kennedy Fauntleroy – 2022 – Upper Marlboro, Maryland– Reads the floor…Looking to push the ball and attack…Works to be an option…Interior passing off the drive

Saniyah Glenn – 2022 – Staten Island, New York– Lots of length and athleticism…Made plays in the halfcourt and transition…Can get to the rim…Has the tools to be an impact defender…Plays with lots of effort

Leah Harmon – 2024 – Saddle Brook, New Jersey– Quick and agile…Effective ballskills…Hesitation and crossover serve her well…Pushes the ball at opportunity…Got past defenders

Hannah Grace Hidalgo – 2023 – Merchantville, New Jersey– Quick…Slashing…Lots of speed in transition…Behind the back fake to a lay-up…Slight build at this point in time

A’riel Jackson – 2022 – Brooklyn, New York– Physically strong and attacking guard…Looking to develop and improve options…Gets to the rim…Crossover works well…Efficient in traffic…Made plays at speed…Big steps forward

Anaiah Jenkins – 2023 – Odenton, Maryland– Strong and attacking…Mixing up interior and more perimeter options…Physical…Uses body to create space…First step is there…Mid-range is there…Somewhat forward motion on shot

Hope Masonius – 2024 – Spring Lake, New Jersey– More and more size…Can create off the dribble…Sees the floor on the drive…Upright to a degree…Knows her options…No reservations going among the bigs

Gisella Maul – 2023 – Round Rock, Texas– Can create…Lefthander…Keeps defenders guessing mixing both speed and direction…Turned the corner well on penetration

Madisen McDaniel – 2024 – Upper Marlboro, Maryland– Young and attacking…Strong ballskills…Mixes pace and keeps defenders guessing…Protects the ball well on penetration…Has tools

Nile Miller – 2022 – Woodbury, New Jersey– Has some size…Good length…Moves well without the ball…Can get herself into traffic…Possibilities

Ayanna Patterson – 2022 – Fort Wayne, Indiana– Length…Athleticism…All the tools…Looking to create…Aggressive with the ball…Elevates in traffic…Goes up with contact…Active in making herself available…Crashes the glass…Assertive defender…Already among the elite

Alana Powell – 2022 – Haymarket, Virginia– Attacking guard…Penetrates…Works well as help rotates her way…Nice crossover move

Ny’Ceara Pryor – 2022 – Baltimore, Maryland– Smaller point guard…Plenty of speed with the ball in her hands…Handles contact well on the way to the rim…Assertive defender

Sydni Scott – 2022 – Prospect Park, Pennsylvania– Quick and athletic…Makes plays with and without the ball…Active…Lots of speed and quickness…Strong on ball defender

Sameera Smith – 2022 – Greenbelt, Maryland– Has some length…Wiry build…Quick to attack…Decent ballhandling…Hesitation move is sharp

Zakiya Stephenson – 2023 – Virginia Beach, Virginia– Quick…First step is there…In and out at full speed…Step back created space…Explosive to the hole…Made plays time and again

Fadima Tall – 2023 – Silver Spring, Maryland– Nice size…Athleticism is evolving…Should grow…Tools to work interior and on the perimeter…Had moments

Yonta Vaughn – 2022 – District Heights, Maryland– Ball skills…Crossover is low and quick…Ballhandling sets up attack…Deceptive passer

Sammie Wagner – 2023 – San Antonio, Texas– Added size and strength…Works for her options…Develops looks off the dribble…Change of speed…Pull up is there…Gets up on the shot…Drifts on occasion…Offensive boards…Next level

Marley Washenitz – 2022 – Fairmont, West Virginia– Lean guard…Can slash and create options…Deceptive at times…Shot is a one hander…Strength will come

JuJu Watkins – 2023 – Los Angeles, California– Exceptional highly regarded prospect already…Aggressive on the attack…Looking to improve her looks…Slashes and goes up strong…Floater is there…Sweeps to clear space…Strong on the offensive boards…Makes plays on both ends