Kissimmee, Fla.— When you simultaneously host four separate showcase events you’ve got logistic challenges, scheduling nightmares, brackets and web sites to tend to and, oh yeah, plenty of talent on hand. The 2013 AAU Super Showcases provided plenty of competition for the army of college recruiters courtside to identify, evaluate, re-evaluate and babysit prospective talent for the next level. In our second offering from the ESPN Wide World of Sports we take a look at some of the other standouts on hand beyond those highlighted previously.
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Please keep in mind the very limited time frame of this summer’s NCAA evaluation period and the sheer number of teams in many certified events limits our opportunity to see many deserving players. Additionally, please understand that the players we include in our coverage are not always the “best” players on hand or even the best that we saw in action. Often we choose players who represent potential and promise at the next level or just happened to catch our eye when we were in the gym. Obviously many accomplished and high profile athletes were on hand in Florida that are not mentioned in our coverage. We look forward to seeing them in action again down the road.
It’s not often you can call a highly regarded and ranked prospect “under the radar”. Shakayla Thomas of the Alabama Southern Starz is hardly a secret and the 2014 graduate has offers on top of offers. At the same time, it’s a safe bet if you haven’t looked closely or seen her often enough, you can hardly appreciate just how good she is. At 6-0, the swing player sees time at both the small forward spot and on the wing. Her explosive athleticism allows her to create off the dribble and challenges defenders of any size to stay in front of her. There’s a relentless approach in her play at times and a fluid movement in all she does. Thomas is very effective in transition with and without the ball plus offers up defensive nightmares against halfcourt man to man opposition. Zone still takes some of the wind out of her sails negating elements of her attack that will need bolstered by more perimeter consistency. At the same time you would be challenged to find a better presence on the glass inside or out. Keep watching and you’ll like what you see…even more.
If you’re looking to film an instructional video on the fundamental skills of perimeter play, you might want to utilize the services of Carlie Wagner of the Minnesota Stars for demonstration purposes. The Minnesota commit plays the game just about as “textbook” as you’re going to find and for good measure…she does it on par with the top players in the 2014 class. You could classify Wagner as a “combo” guard but she’s more a straight up shooting guard with good size at 5-10. The ability is there to connect from long range with a smooth, quick release and she’s more than proficient at finding her own looks off the cut. Throw in some smart and efficient use of both a change of speed and direction and you have a good explanation for the productive scoring she consistently provides on both the club and high school level. Wagner is a sound defender but the only real question mark might be her ability to lock up some of the ultra-quicks she’ll find in Big Ten backcourts down the road.
Easily one of the more versatile players and more effective performances in Kissimmee was that of Ring City’s Aliya Huland El. Combining size, skills and athleticism with a multifaceted game that few players in the rising senior class possess, Huland El has already chosen Virginia and the ACC for her future. At 6-1, the tools are there to play any position on the perimeter but she’s most likely best suited for the wing. A 2014, her first step is lengthy and explosive serving her well against defenders of any size or quickness. She can navigate traffic once she gets into the paint and shows no hesitation in taking on the bigs that might come her way in a helpside effort. The pull up is reliable and benefits by some eye catching elevation that comes off an ability to stop on a dime. Deeper on the perimeter the form is there though she did drift a time or two. That same size and athleticism makes her a top tier defender and effective in both man and virtually any pressing scenario.
One of the more complete efforts in the 10th grade Showcase came courtesy of CBC-Watts 2015 point guard Stephanie Watts. Despite coming up one game short of the Crystal Ball trophy and gold medal, the 5-9 Watts was consistently delivering on the break or in halfcourt sets. At her best in the open court she can be a defender’s worst nightmare after getting a quick outlet. The ability to create leads to penetration, pull ups and the development of scoring opportunities for teammates. From the perimeter the form and touch are there to force opponents to close out or pay the price. On both ends of the floor her movement is smooth and fluid. Defensively Watts has the length to corral smaller match ups or contest the efforts of opponents on the wing with more size.
At this point it would be difficult to write an extensive evaluation of Tennessee Team Pride 2015 post Jazz Bond. At 6-4 she’s going to catch your eye the moment she walks on the court. She can get up and down the floor with gazelle like strides and has a deceptively quick first step that peers of her size can only wish for. There is an ability and willingness to put the ball on the floor leading to some impressive drives. She’s got good form and is comfortable from midrange out to the elbows. Obviously with her size and wingspan she’s a presence on the defensive end forcing passes and altering shots. The drawback at this point is her undeniably very lean build and underdeveloped strength. All the tools are in place but an investment in her game is long term. It’s also a no brainer with a big return coming down the road.
Prior to the spring and summer Anna Wilson’s exposure was limited but had already led to a much deserved reputation. Now that the Boo Williams–Richmond point guard has added the USA U16 trials to her resume’ and the first half of the July evaluation period is under her belt, her reputation is growing. Leading her BWSL–Richmond squad to the 10th Grade Showcase crown last week, Wilson demonstrated the ability to control the tempo of a game as well as some decision making that is well in advance of her 2016 classmates and peers. Those choices are in shot selection, passing and when to run or when to slow things down. Additionally her composure against both man and zone pressure makes her the point guard any coach wants to put the ball in the hands of come crunch time. While listed at 5-8 ½ she appears somewhat smaller at this point but size isn’t really an issue given her play at this point. Add in impressive quickness and strength and that evolving reputation is quickly defined as reality.
Quickhitters
Princess Aghayere – 2015 – 6-0 Forward – Fairfax Stars 15U (Va.) – Plays with lots of effort…Active cutter…Attacks inside
Shaylen Burnett – 2014 – 5-8 Guard – Mid State Magic (N.C.) – Scorer with range…Thicker build but skilled…Ball handling and passing are there…Makes plays
Batouly Camara – 2015 – 6-2 Forward – Ring City (N.J.) – Size, build, agility and strength…Can create from the high post
Ciani Cryor – 2015 – 5-5 Point Guard – Philly Triple Threat (Pa.) – Strong crossover…Can create…Shot selection needs attention
Kysre Gondrezick – 2015 – 5-9 Guard – Midwest Elite (Ill.) – Stronger…Change of speed and direction are sharp…Lots of acceleration…Decisions?
Paris Kea – 2014 – 5-9 Combo – Phoenix (N.C) – Lots of speed and acceleration with the ball…Ball skills…First step is there…Pull up works but has drift in it at times
Kristina King – 2014 – 6-3 Forward/Post – Phoenix (N.C.) – Size and lean build…Agility…Some ballhandling…Post moves?
Marina Mabrey – 2014 – 6-0 Guard – New Jersey Demons (N.J.) – Filling out and playing stronger…Reads and passes it well…Ballhandling is more refined but lateral at times…Playing with stress reaction in leg
Ionna Mckenzie – 2014 – 6-2 Forward – Central Florida Elite (Fla.) – Size, build and strength…Lefty…Posts up effectively
Maegan Mikkelsen – 2015 – 6-3 Fwd/Post – Fairfax Stars 15U (Va.) – Size and length…Strong lower body…Moves well and finishes…Tools
Kolby Morgan – 2014 – 5-8 Point Guard – Angels Basketball (La.) – Athletic with a good first step…Penetrates…Makes good decisions in traffic
Cierra Rice – 2015 – 5-9 Combo – All Ohio (Ohio) – Defends…Great lateral speed…Quick to the rim…Makes plays
Caliya Robinson – 2015 – 6-2 Forward – AOT Lady Rebels (Ga.) – Athletic with length…Some ballhandling…Can work in the paint…Passes it well
Erica Sanders – 2015 – 5-9 Guard – Team Xpress (Texas) – Extraordinary athlete…Makes plays at times…Gets out in transition
Azura Stevens – 2014 – 6-5 Post – Garner Flames (N.C.) – Duke bound…Lots of size…First step and drive are there…Some ballhandling…Can spot up
Tyra Whitehead – 2016 – 6-2 Forward – Boo Williams-Richmond (Va.) – Strong kid…Power game…Rough edges but has tools…Rebounds
