CINCINNATI, Ohio—For the 11th year USJN helped kicked off the summer recruiting tour with the Premier Invitational held in metropolitan Cincinnati. This year 202 teams representing 22 states and Canada tipped off the evaluation period over the first three days of the NCAA July evaluation period. A testament to the depth of talent on hand would be the courtside presence of 292 individual recruiters including 187 representing Division I institutions.
For complete post event information including results, All-Stars and the schools and coaches on hand, follow the link below.
http://www.usjn.com/xtm_post_event_new.php?which=258
Our Kevin Lynch was on hand and offers up a quick look at a few of the standouts in the Queen City.
Sidney Cooks – 6-4 – 2017 – Wisconsin ABC Knights
Cooks is an athletic post player who plays hard. She runs the floor with determination looking for quick transition baskets. She has very good hands, posts low, and does a nice job demanding the ball. Defensively she is a major force disrupting drives to the hoop and altering any shots near the basket. Sidney has the ability to play at the highest level.
Tyasha Harris – 5-10 – 2016 – Best Choice United Ind.
Describing Harris’ game is not very difficult. She does everything well. Her strong frame allows her to penetrate with authority while her ball handling takes her where she wants to go. Her three ball range forces teams to walk up on her. Add a picture perfect pull up to her arsenal and you have a pretty complete player. Defensively she has outstanding instincts and gets her hands on many passes. She has Big-10 and Pac-12 schools knocking on her door.
Breanna Beal – 6-1 – 2019 – Rage 17u
Beal’s game certainly does not look like a player who has yet to enter high school. She is a fit, strong wing with a great feel for the game. Offensively she has three point range, as well as a good handle and a sweet pull-up. As the tournament went on you could see her older teammates deferring to her in key moments. Defensively, she has a way to go in understanding rotations and help side, but at her age, that’s understandable.
Nukiya Mayo – 6-3 – 2016 – N.Y. Belles- Catalanotto
When Mayo walks onto the court you see a long, slim player who you would think is a post player. But when the game starts you see her floating around the perimeter looking for openings around the three point line. Almost ready to dismiss her, thinking she was wasting her time, she unleashes a steady barrage on a sweet looking on target three ball that surprises her opponents…and old talent evaluators. She is certainly not a finished product, especially her strength and ball handling, but someone will be smart enough to figure out how to use her at the collegiate level.
Gabby Giacone – 6-0 – 2015 – Albany Capitals
Giacone is a very tough hard-nosed player who really enjoys banging and knows the game. Playing with her sister Jenna, a 5’11 2016 shooting machine, she does all the little things to help her team. She battles for every rebound and loose ball and sets screens that will stop a rhino. She has a nice touch from mid-range and will hit open three pointers. Defensively she is consistently communicating with her teammates and understands team concepts. Giacone will make some college coach happy for the next four years.
