KINGSPORT, Tenn. – Coming off the third rendition of the Blue Star 30 camp in Las Vegas, it was only fitting that we continue our search for the next rising stars in girls basketball. That never-ending quest led us once more to the mountains of East Tennessee and the AAU 7thGrade National Tournament.
As always with AAU National Championships, the level of play was fun and competitive in all three divisions. All of these teams had to qualify out of their states and regions to be here. This year 48 teams ventured to the Volunteer State to duke it out for the ultimate prize in each division. Here are some of the young standouts from this year’s tournament.
Editor’s Note: Graduation years were NOT included in the information provided to media at this event. While most players are generally the class of 2023, there were also some 2024’s on many of the teams as well. It is a tremendous disservice to the athletes not to provide their ages for accurate evaluation. Protecting their personal (address, phone, e-mail etc…) information is another conversation. Clubs, coaches and parents should be adamant that their athletes are not shortchanged in their efforts should recruiters/evaluators/media be in attendance.
Madison Booker – 5-11 – Guard/Forward – AL Southern Starz 2023 – Showing dynamic scoring ability…Perimeter skills continue to improve…Footwork and simple elevation on lay ups and jumpers is elite…Easily rises about defenders to finish
Jasmine Brown – 5-8 – Guard – IL X-CITEMENT – Super springy…Long arms serve her on both sides of the floor…Got up and sent some shots away…Drives to the rim with some authority…Look and maturity of an older player
Ashley Chea – 5-7 – Point Guard – SGV 7 Blue – Step back jumper off the spin move…Elite handles and body control…Knows where to go with the ball and gets it there…Floor general that a team can look to…One of the top all-around players in attendance
Ellie Chen – 5-6 – Guard – SGV 7 Blue – Can make it rain from beyond the arc…Advances the ball with some pinpoint passing in transition…Nifty off guard
Taylor Curry – 5-8 – Guard/Forward – IL X-CITEMENT –Body type…Scored early and often in several ways…Points in the paint…Nailed the trey ball…Moves without the ball to score…Defensive effort led to quick scores the other way
Monet Dance – 5-5 – Point Guard – Team Elite Sims 2023 – Crossover is sharp…Acceleration to the rim stands out…Pumps the breaks and then accelerates…Plays the lead guard position at this point…Sees some things other guards her age miss…Shot the ball well from multiple spots on the floor including deep
Taylor Farris – 5-7 – Guard/Forward – Dayton Lady Hoops Black 2023 –Baller…Buried the three both off the catch or off the bounce from behind screens…Effective posting smaller guards…Gets to the basket with defender riding her hip…Mid-range jumper is smooth and compact
Madison French – 5-7 – Guard/Forward – Dayton Lady Hoops Black 2023 – Makes hustle plays…Smart without the ball…Big enough right now to be physical with anyone
Kloe Froebe – 5-4 – Point Guard – Predators Froebe – Shot the ball well each game…Lights out even in the clutch moments…Got to the rim with either hand…Developing point guard skills but can score it well enough to play off the ball
Keylee Harrison – 6-1 – Forward – BWSL Norfolk Express – Size is noticiable…Elite movement and running…Boxes out…Effective on the offensive boards as well…Posts early, sealing and backing down defenders without the ball…Double-double threat…A force in the paint
Tomi Hinkle – 5-6 – Guard – WV Thunder Blue – Skill set…Understands how to play her position…Can hit the three ball, even a couple steps behind there…Fed the post with a nice step around bounce pass
Abby Houston – 5-7 – Guard – TN Stars – Strong build for her age…Three point threat including deep one off the dribble…Hustle plays on defense
Olivia Hutcherson – 5-9 – Guard/Forward – Team Elite Sims 2023 –Has speed and handles in the open court…Gets to the rack often…Lots of rebounds…Challenges passes…Big potential with athleticism
Kymora Johnson – 5-7 – Point Guard/Guard – Team Loaded 2023 – Can make plays look simple…Strong attacker…Splits defenders to finish…Makes smart basketball plays…Three ball still coming along
Madisyn Jordan – 5-10 – Guard/Forward – ABC Lightning – Lanky defensive standout…Can hit some nice runners in the mid-range…Three point shot shows signs of work being put in…Bright future withcontinued offensive development
Christa Lair – 5-7 – Guard – Team Elite Legacy Speaks 2023 – Scorer at the guard spot…Seems to understand the game…Enjoys playing…Foundation of skills is built on some physical ability
Erica Moon – 5-6 – Point Guard/Guard – Team Elite Sims 2023 – Quick, tight handles…Floater on the baseline drive…Gets airborne and wraps some nice passes around defenders…Can suffocate ball handlers defensively
Corynn Perkins – 5-10 – Forward – Greensboro Lady Gaters – Rim runner…Can catch and finish…Basic understanding of the high post game…Flashes without the ball…Lefty…Raw but getting coaching and experience at a young age
Samiah Puckett – 6’4 – Post – Team Elite Legacy Speaks 2023 – Athletically inclined with legitimate size…Arms and wingspan…Being taught a strong move set already…Creates scoring opportunities with her back to the basket…Sees the floor…Throws some zippy passes
Trinity Pulliam – 6-1 – Forward – MCLW 7th– Keeps it high inside…Finishes…Starting to pick up the basics…Can snatch some rebounds and pull it out of trouble…Impacts her share of shots in the paint
Aubri Spicer – 5-7 – Guard – Ohio Express – Grasp of the entry level skills…Already moving to the harder stuff…Puts the ball on the floor and attacks…Knows how to get scoring opportunities off the cuts as well…On the right path
Zakiya Stephenson – 5-7 – Point Guard – BWSL Norfolk Express – Jumps and slashes her way through defenses…Demonstrates ease and purpose…Quick handles in confined spaces…Creates multidimensional problems in the running game…Silky smooth…Has that extra step
Samyha Suffren – 5-6 – Guard – NC Lady Ballers – One of the more complete all-around players in the gym…Athlete…Lots of burst along with lanky frame…Blows past defenders…Slices her way through defensive help…Scrappy with a major competitive side…Hit clutch threes…Off penetration she can pull up or kick out to open shooters
Timya Thurman – 6-3 – Post – AL Southern Starz 2023 – Physically imposing in the paint…Above average mobility and flexibility…Already gets up around the backboard on her lay ups
Isabella White – 5-5 – Point Guard – TN Fury Navy – Quickness and toughness…Good decisions in traffic…Gets after it on both ends…Can hit tough runners in traffic…Lefty favors her strong hand but can go with either direction
Jamia Woolfolk – 5-9 – Forward – Team Loaded 2023 – Noticeable vertical for some strong rebounds…Solid footwork in the paint…Flashes some major athletic tools…Needs to develop jump shot but stroke at the foul line demonstrates a start
