WASHINGTON, D.C.— There was Rain and there was Sunshine. We had the Promise of Faith and an Angel which led to an Excellanxt (Sorry!) day. Of course those are just some of the names of athletes on hand for the 5th Rites of Passage Showcase presented by the Godmother herself Lisa Bodine and a stellar supporting cast. St. John’s College High School was once again home for what become one of the nation’s premier development and exposure events for the “next” generation. Athletes from the 2019, ‘20 and ‘21 classes as well as a rambunctious 2024 point guard took part in both training and games while the parents had the opportunity to explore some of the mysteries of the recruiting landscape with a select panel.
Five states and the District of Columbia were represented by an invitation only group of 58 highly regarded prospects for the one day event in the nation’s capital. The on floor instruction included individual skills, two and three man concepts and some much needed defensive instruction. (The “much needed” description is the result of some elite up and coming players having absolutely no clue what the “shell drill” was all about…There are some coaches who should be hanging their heads in shame out there!) While young and bringing no guarantees to the floor, this group offered up a glimpse of the possibilities that the future holds for evaluators, media and most of all…themselves. In the end the Rites of Passage is not about what they do one day in a gym but what they take home put to use. Lots of folks will be watching closely.
Obviously with a single day and three courts in action it was impossible to see everyone to the degree we would have liked and no doubt a few maybe overlooked in this article. Because of their age and the length of the event we’re not going into too much depth on the following athletes, but here are some who had a moment or two Saturday in D.C.
Jenna Alam – 2019 – 5-5 – Guard – Daleville, Va. – Decent stroke…Solid ballhandling…Had moments…Shot selection is not a strength
DeKeithlyn Brown – 2019 – 5-10 – Wing – Washington, D.C. – Strong…Smart player…Solid build…Decent stroke…Made some plays defensively
Samantha Brunelle – 2019 – 6-2 – Forward – Ruckersville, Va. – Versatile and consistent performer…Nice size with perimeter game to challenge defenders…Smooth stroke but narrow base on shot…Quick release with range…Some ballhandling is there…Has shown an effective interior game in the past…Tired as the day went on but played virtually every set…Adds to her game each time out
Maddie Burke – 2020 – 5-9 – Guard – Doylestown, Pa. – Nice size and build with the potential to grow…Smart for age…Reads the floor and is willing to give it up…Smooth, fluid stroke with range
Allison Campbell – 2020 – 5-6 – Combo – Altoona, Pa. – Slight build but no reservations about taking it into the paint…Smart and instinctual player…Reads the floor…Cuts hard…Spot up shooter
Promise Cunningham – 2019 – 5-9 – Guard – Laurel, Md. – Plays strong…Effective off the drive…Good individual moves…Good on ball defensively
Brianna Forbes – 2019 – 5-8 – Guard – Frederick, Md. – Solid build and strength for age…Goes strong off the drive…Can get to the rim or shoot the pull up
Azzi Fudd – 2021 – 5-9 – Guard – Arlington, Va. – Solid build…Attacking mentality…Active with and without the ball…Nice mid-range pull up…Gets out intransition…Only going to get better
Rain Green – 2020 – 5-3 – Point Guard – Baltimore, Md. – Athletic and penetrating point…Creates with good side to side action…Handles traffic well…Jumper if there…Plenty of speed
Excellanxt Greer – 2019 – 5-5 – Point Guard – Crofton, Md. – Athletic lefty…Crossover is there…Strong one on one skills…Efficient with her pull up…Creates…Rebounds well from the perimeter
Lauren Hansen – 2019 – 5-7 – Guard – Setauket, N.Y. – Nice ballhandling…Went both ways…Uses a change of speed and directionwell…Interior passing…Good stroke on her perimeter shot…Makes plays
Kaniyah Harris – 2020 – 5-8 – Guard – Upper Marlboro, Md. – Moves well without the ball…Strong cutter…Good first step on the catch…Further refinement will elevate her game
Shanell Haskins – 2019 – 5-6 – Point Guard – Bowie, Md. – Solid…Strong ballhandling and passing…Change of speed and direction…Shot is across her body at this point
Mya Henson – 2020 – 5-8 – Wing / Guard – Edgewood, Md. – Solid build…Aggressive first step…Attacks…Gets out in transition…Good effort on ball defensively
Aziaha James – 2012 – 5-5 – Point Guard – Virginia Beach, Va. – Slight build with limited size at this point…Strong ball skills…Can create one on one…Change of speed is there
Elizabeth Martino – 2020 – 5-9 – Guard – Ianham, Md. – Creates off the dribble…Pull up is in place…Nice size on the perimeter for age…Fluid with the ball in her hands
Faith Masonius – 2019 – 6-0 – Wing / Forward – Spring Lake, N.J. – Continues to impress…Solid build with attacking mentality…Plays a strong, power game…Active in working for the ball…Can play the three and four at this point…Major upside
Kiyomi McMiller – 2024 – 4-11 – Point Guard – Frederick, Md. – Young and dynamic…Lots of ballskills and instincts well beyond her years…Offsets some of her youthful physical limitations with a genuine passion for the game…Plenty of time to explore the possibilities
Carole Miller – 2019 – 5-9 – Guard – Arlington, Va. – Has tools…Can attack off the dribble…Solid build helps her handle contact…Good awareness of defense off the drive…Will need perimeter consistency to keep defenders honest
Aleah Nelson – 2019 – 5-5 – Point Guard – Nottingham, Md. – Works off the drive…Shot fake is there…Hesitation move serves her well…Solid passing
Ashley Owusu – 2019 – 5-10 – Forward – Woodbridge, Va. – Thicker, solid build…Active in the halfcourt and even more so in transition…Uses her body well…Deceiving speed…Future position is still evolving…Watch
Lauren Park – Lane – 2019 – 5-3 – Point Guard – Wilmington, Pa. – Not much size but exceptionally quick and attacking…Pushes the tempo from makes, misses and turnovers…Gets deep off the drive…Good in traffic
Mariah Perez – 2019 – 6-2 – Forward – Harrison, N.J. – Nice size and frame…Offered up a few post moves including a well-read step through…Has tools and potential
Angel Reese – 2020 – 5-9 Guard – Randallstown, Md. – Athletic guard…First step is there…Gets deep…Can slash…Tools to make things happen…Perimeter shot needs attention
Anissa Rivera – 2019 – 5-11 – Wing / Forward – Dumfries, Va. – Lots of athleticism and size…Wiry build…Can create her own off the dribble or around the rim…Nice touch on her shot…Inside – Out potential…Impact potential
Celeste Taylor – 2019 – 5-10 – Wing – Valley Stream, N.Y. – Good length and athleticism…Fluid with and without the ball…Can get to the bucket…Passes well off the drive…Could play more physical
Malu Tshitenge – 2019 – 6-2 – Forward / Post – Germantown, Md. – Lots of size and length…Moves well…Quick lateral speed for size…Has some skills in place at the rim and from mid-range…Refinement of her skill set will help her take her game to an elite level
Jakia Turner – Brown – 2019 – 6-0 – Wing / Forward – Temple Hills, Md. – Lefty…Gets to the rim…Smart player who knows the game…Lots of versatility with the ball in her hands…Range is there to keep opponents honest…Length makes her a factor on the glass and on defense…Impressive vertical doesn’t hurt either
Deja Wentz – 2019 – 5-6 – Guard – Bronx, N.Y. – Physically strong…Nice form and range…Knows what she’s looking for…Shot selection needs refined
