CHANDLER, Ariz.—Each year the Nike Tournament of Champions is the holiday gift that seems to just keep on giving. Of course that stands to reason when you consider its premier lineup that featured 84 teams from 16 states and Canada that took the floor last week in Chandler. With so many high powered programs on hand it’s a given that there are going to be plenty of underclass players who’s performances we’ll be enjoying for several seasons to come. Our day one posting (see link below) included evaluations of two promising players, freshman Ayanna Clark of Long Beach Poly and sophomore Alli Rosenblum of Mater Dei who ultimately met in Saturday’s Smith Division final.
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Adding to our coverage we now take a look at some of those promising prospects who took their already recognized game to another level as well as a few who made a statement about their inclusion in the national conversation. No player is ever a lock for success at the next level based on their performance at a single event but it’s a safe bet these young ladies and plenty of others who competed in the 2013 TOC made a down payment on a bright colligate future.
No conversation about any players in Chandler this year would be legitimate without starting with Smith Division MVP Katie Lou Samuelson who led her Mater Dei (California) teammates to their second consecutive TOC title. The versatile 6-3 swing standout has a virtual stranglehold on the top spot in any class rankings and her play did nothing to loosen that grip. The offensive focus now seems to include an intensified attack off the dribble that was already a nightmare for defenders to contain. The deceptive ability to slash through traffic and helpside defenders is on par with any player on the high school level. Add that to the already well-established, long range family tradition and it’s hard to figure out the best way to dig in for a stop. Playing head coach Kevin Kiernan’s vaunted defense is just frosting on the cake of a well-rounded game and for the lottery winner of her recruiting sweepstakes. Samuelson also demonstrates a willingness to mix things up and hit the floor which in turn might reveal a possible weakness…durability. Still on the lean side, the sound of bone on wood isn’t uncommon for the junior but doesn’t keep her from being there for the very next play.
The long list of talented prospects that have suited up for Coach Tom Gonsalves at St. Mary’s in Stockton, California is impressive and junior guard Brijanee Moore is deservedly beginning to be included with those notable alums. The 5-6 point guard is still refining her game but the combination of productivity and promise is something to look forward to. Moore is physically strong and a challenge for any defender who has illusions about preventing her from reaching the paint. There’s an explosive first step that is effective and the ability to recognize, read and react often provides some sharp interior distribution or finishes of her own. She’s looking to push the ball from makes, misses and turnovers leading to a transition game that exploits even a moment of relaxation on the part of opponents. The on ball defense is assertive and physical but the same focus on the weakside of the floor is not there yet. Still a work in progress, the best is yet to come.
Sabrina Ionescu continues to prove why the folks at the USA Basketball trials were including her name when the final rosters were announced last June. The 5-9 guard from Walnut Creek, California and Miramonte High School offers up a combination of skills, concepts and physical talents that even her peers on the high school level should emulate. Standing out beyond the obvious is an active approach to her play that has defenders chasing her in both the halfcourt and transition. Catching Ionescu standing still would be a rarity and most likely a set up for her next move. There’s really nothing “flashy” to her game unless you consider results flashy. The ability to play both the point and off guard adds to her ability to contribute with and without the ball in her hands. Defensively you can see a smart approach and solid vision that makes her efficient two passes away. The wiry physical build is filling out with maturity and there may be a little more length still coming her way.
It’s hard to stand out in any lineup that includes high profile seniors Gabby Green and Mikayla Cowling but St. Mary’s College (California) junior Maane Mosley found a way to do just that. Sporting one of the most cut and athletic builds you’ll find, this guard has the tools to compete against virtually any backcourt match up that might be thrown at her. At 5-11 she has plenty of size but the added caveat is explosive quickness and speed as well as a vertical that has her playing at the rim. Right now you would define her as a true off guard but her effectiveness from the perimeter will have to continue to evolve to keep opponents honest in their closeouts. She got to the rim multiple times and even rose above the crowd with a sound pull up. Few perimeter prospects offer up her rebounding attack and she’s more than willing to mix things up defensively to get a stop on the other end. Despite an eye catching performance, you still have to believe she’s just beginning to scratch the surface.
Head coach Kathy Richey-Walton might qualify as a day care provider when you consider the youth of the Southwest Dekalb team she brought to the Valley of the Sun. With just three seniors on a 13 player roster the future is bright for this group from Georgia. Junior guard Tynice Martin is going to catch your eye regardless of what position you’re looking for, what class you’re interested in or if you’re just a fan of promising basketball. Playing on the wing at 5-11, she has the build, athleticism and strength that college coaches love to find. Martin has lots of speed to add to that package plus sound ballhandling and passing allowing her to create her own or for teammates off penetration. She’s active without the ball which is a commodity in today’s less than fundamental recruiting market. On the boards she can be a force as well with the ability to get off the floor and do so quickly. As with most high school defenders, there’s plenty of on ball effort but a tendency to come out of her stance or lose sight on the weakside of the floor.
Homewood-Flossmoor (Illinois) is making plenty of noise early this season and new head coach Tony Smith has plenty of options to call upon from his 17 player roster. Just two underclassman suit up for the Vikings and freshman Nadia Green is going to catch the eye of any recruiter worth their salt. A 5-8 guard, Green is physically strong and plays with much more assertiveness than most players in their first season of varsity competition. Strong ballhandling skills are in place and her first step leaves most on ball defenders pivoting to recover. She’s fluid in most of her movement and shows plenty of promise both on the break and in halfcourt sets. The ability to finish in traffic is there and the form looks to be in place on her perimeter stroke. You can’t play for a Smith coached team and not defend like your life is on the line and Green seems to have already embraced the concept.
It’s not a coincidence that many of these promising young standouts play for established and successful coaches and Jessica Lewis of Regis Jesuit (Colorado) would be no different. Carl Mattei has sent more than his share along to the next level and four seniors on the current roster are D-I bound already. Lewis, a junior point guard, is skilled, measured and efficient with the ball in her hands. Standing 5-9, she’s got good size and a solid build allowing her to handle pressure as well as maintain the vision needed to deliver the ball. Athleticism isn’t a highlight but nor is it a deficiency. Her sound physical skills combine with a well-honed basketball skill set to create productivity on the break or in two and three man situations. Lewis reads the floor well and makes good decisions on both shot selection and passing. She understands spacing and gaps on defense which would be a rarity even on the colligate level! The right “fit” will be essential in terms of style and coaching for Mattei’s floor general.
We mentioned St. Mary’s of Stockton coach Tom Gonsalves and his track record with prospects including the afore mentioned Brijanee Moore. Coach Gonsalves also has the luxury of calling upon sophomore wing Kat Tudor. Long and lean at 5-11, Tudor is already showing glimpses of the things that the big dogs on the college level like to see. A deceptive first step allows her to create and her ability to slash once the rotations come leads to some good looks at the rim. Tudor can also call upon both a pull up and a floater to keep defenders guessing, both benefitting from full extension and a solid vertical. Opponents also have to contend with a quick release on the catch and a perimeter effectiveness that extends beyond the arch. The addition of more size and physical strength will come with age and should extend the recruiting line already at her door even further. How far she takes her game is entirely up to her.
Keeping with the theme of strong programs and coaches, Christ the King (New York) and Bob Mackey have seen their share of prospects through the years. Dominique Toussaint, a 5-10 sophomore, isn’t going to knock your socks off at first look but the more you watch, the closer you want to look. Physically strong with a lengthy first step, she virtually drives at will. Getting into the paint time and again she can handle the pounding from the bigs and will often find her way to the line. The decision making on penetration will need to evolve and she’ll have to mix up passes and shots to keep defenses on their toes. Toussaint’s stroke and form look to be sound but didn’t get much use with her ability to get to the rim. She made several strong, physical plays defensively and could be an impact on both ends of the floor down the road.
Katie Lou Samuelson is impressive to say the least but it takes depth on any roster to find the success that Kevin Kiernan and Mater Dei (California) have enjoyed. One of the standouts providing firepower beyond Samuelson is sophomore guard Jayde Woods. She has good length at 5-11 and a solid, athletic build that helps her match up with any opposing perimeter threat. With the ball in her hands she has the ability to create to a degree and uses a reliable shot fake to get defenders out of their stance. On the drive she tends to be upright somewhat but she gets from A to B effectively and can work well in a crowd once she hits the lane. Again, a Kiernan disciple, Woods is aggressive on ball and sees the floor well leading to some key defensive plays. With a promising future, it will be exciting to see what Woods adds to her game over the next couple of seasons.
Nazareth was led to the Blue Division crown by South Carolina signee Bianca Cuevas who grabbed MVP honors as well. The Kingsmen also benefited from the play of sophomore guard Niya Johnson. Stocky and strong at 5-9, Johnson is active both with and without the ball. Her first step surprises defenders and leaves them struggling to recover. She pounds the ball on penetration but is effective both in getting to the rim or drawing defenders to develop options for her teammates. Johnson gets out and runs the floor in transition and has no trouble handling physical play when things get tight in the halfcourt. She did take a backseat to seniors Cuevas, Yazmine Belk and Sofia Roma at times but also had her own moments that showed plenty of promise for the future. Keep watching.
Desert Vista (Arizona) took top honors in the White Division and had the interior presence of junior Kristine Anigwe to help get the job done. An early Cal commit, Anigwe stands 6-4 and has the frame that the Bear’s strength coach is going to love to get hold of. She moves well off the cut and is fluid getting up and down the floor. Her cuts away from the ball challenge other bigs and their lateral mobility plus create some open looks usually reserved for the perimeter folks. She can finish around the rim and called on a solid looking midrange jumper as well. There were some forced passes at times but she does see the floor which should lead to better decision making at the next level. A more physical presence on the boards and defensively would serve her well but is by no means a weakness.
QUICKHITTERS
Taekenya Cleveland – 5-11 – wing / guard – 2016 – Regis Jesuit / Aurora, Colo…Nice size and strength on the perimeter…Aggressive with the ball in her hands…Gets to the rim…Physical on boards and defensively
Jayla Jones-Pack – 6-3 – post – 2016 – St. Anthony’s / Melville, N.Y…Limited but promising performance before rolling her ankle…Length and athleticism…Good frame for adding strength…Wingspan…Rough edges but lots of promise
Taylor Kalmer – 5-8 – point guard – 2015 – Corona Del Sol / Chandler, Ariz…Skills and court intelligence…Effective use of changes in speed and direction…Creates both shots and passes…Lots of tools and potential
Lizzie O’leary – 6-1 – post / forward – 2017 – Archbishop Wood / Willow Grove, Pa…Nice post with good size and frame…Works hard…Gets up and down the floor…Can spot up with range
Michaela Onyenwere – 5-10 – forward – 2017 – Grandview / Aurora, Colo…Young and athletic…Explosive vertical…Makes plays at both ends…Assertive…Growth will determine ultimate position
Alyssa Ramlochan – 5-6 – guard – 2017 – Windward / Los Angeles, Calif…Young and wiry…Ballhandling and passing are there…Active on the break or in the halfcourt…One of five varsity freshman
