LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Once again the Derby City of Louisville was one of several hubs for girls’ basketball during the first half of the July evaluation period.
Headlined by two staple events, the Run 4 the Roses and Battle in the Boro, over 1,000 club teams jammed the Kentucky Expo Center’s almost overwhelming maze of courts. Everywhere you turned, there were teams from every region of the country. It was indeed impossible to see every team play, but conversely, it wasn’t difficult to find talented players either.
The week opened with the Run 4 the Roses, which also featured half of round two of the Nike EYBL game schedule with16 teams. Then, beginning on the 10th, it was time for the Boro to get rolling.
All in all, we evaluated over 700 players from these two events combined. Below are some of the players, young and old, known and up and coming, from each event who stood out in the sizeable crowd.
Follow the links below for other July coverage posted thus far on Blue Star Media.
Indianapolis EYBL
https://bluestarmedia.org/eybl-round-two-sets-up-chicago-nike-grand-finale/
Indianapolis USJN
https://bluestarmedia.org/15th-annual-usjn-premier-showcase-indianapolis/
Chicago Nike Nationals
https://bluestarmedia.org/all-iowa-edges-cal-storm-in-eybl-finale-thriller/
Cincinnati Rising Blue Star Nationals
https://bluestarmedia.org/4th-annual-rising-blue-star-nationals/
RUN 4 THE ROSES
Bailee Adkins – 2020 – 5-7 – Point Guard – WV Thunder 2020 Johnson – Tight with the ball…Standout passer in transition…Can get to the rim or pull up before she gets there…Solid, complete player…Great energy…Leadership through the roof
Azana Baines – 2019 – 6-0 – Guard/Forward – Books and Basketball 17U Elite – Lefty with a great, athletic skillset…Can drive from the wing or high post all the same…Like the crossover…Several trips to the line
Yaubryon Chambers – 2019 – 6-1 – Forward – Team B Wright 2019 Gold – Shot from deep has improved since April without…Handling it with more confidence and fluidity in the open floor as well…Pokes the ball away often on defense…Continues to show improvement
Taylen Collins – 2020 – 6-1 – Forward – Arkansas Banshees Elite 17U – Long, strong, and athletic…15 foot jump shot is falling…Soft touch on the baby jumper…Big time leaper…Lots of rebounds…Lots of tools
Shayeann Day-Wilson – 2021 – 5-6 – Point Guard – Sisters Keeper – Deep three range at the point guard spot…Gets to the rim…Pull up game is another level…Surveys the floor well…Delivers passes on the money…Major glide through the air to finish…Buckets and assists
Aalyah Del Rosario – 2023 – 6-4 – Post – Exodus 2023 – Strong young big…Gets up to board…Makes some exceptional outlet passes…Good mobility in the half court…Tip in put back…Can keep it high and finish…Already prepared to play at the varsity level
Madison Greene – 2019 – 5-7 – Point Guard/Guard – WV Thunder 2019 Johnson – Tough driver…Hard to bump her off the ball…Unphased…D’s up and gets in to players…Standout guard play
Hannah Hidalgo – 2023 – 5-3 – Point Guard – NJ Sparks Orange – Handles the ball well…Nice takes…Finishes through contact…Good defensive instincts to get steals…Will even block a couple shots…Eye catcher on both sides of the ball
Stefanie Ingram – 2022 – 5-7 – Point Guard – FBG Hoop Dreams 8th– Strong for a youngster…Wants to put her head down and get to the rim…Makes you pay for putting her on the foul line…Shoots the three…Penetrates zone gaps…Nice first step…Can definitely go…Quietly good
Jaylyn James – 2021 – 5-9 – Guard/Forward – Tri-Parish Hurricanes – Long defender…Noticeable burst on the drive…Can face up and drive from the high post or wing…Gets to the rim…Works fine in the post but would need to grow to stay there…Nice baller
Sophia Jones – 202 – 5-4 – Point Guard/Guard – FGB Team Delicia Washington – Can shoot and handle the ball at the highest level of competition…Nice deny defender…Can match her up with opponent’s top offensive player…Pull up is nice, compact, and efficient
RaShaya Kyle – 2020 – 6-6 – Post – Always 100 Wilmont 2020 – Long strong legs to get up off of two feet…Stroke at the foul line is there…Gets up to swat shots away with both hands…Great move options off the offensive boards…Pull up jumper in the lane…Averages four or five blocks per game
Latasha Lattimore – 2021 – 6-5 – Post – Sisters Keeper – Strong post presence…Great shooting stroke foul line extended…Huge shot blocker in the lane…Move set is ready for the next stage…15 footer and free throw is silky smooth
Hazley Matthews – 2023 – 5-5 – Point Guard/Guard – West Virginia Dynasty 2023 –Flashy handles in traffic…Nice euro finishes…Obvious she’s thinking of ways to score…Has a chance to be special if she continues to develop
Trinity McDowell – 2019 – 6-1 – Forward – Team Huddle Black – Tools combine with a great engine to make plays…Physical and competitive…Pulled down some rebounds…Scores in the paint and can dribble some too…Bit of a sleeper
Caitlin McGee – 2020 – 6-1 – Guard/Forward – FGB Team Delicia Washington – Electric performances…Has added another step with the ball…Refined her offensive game…A problem attacking basket…Many big blocks and steals
Iyana Moore – 2021 – 5-9 – Guard – Team B Wright 2021 Gold – Utilizes the jab…Handles are among the best on any court she plays…Good passer in pick and roll game…Handful on the drive
Fujika Nimmo – 2019 – 5-8 – Guard – FGB Central Florida 11th– Weaves her way through the defense…Compact jumper that she gets off quickly…Sinks them from the arc and mid range…Nice big hedge and switch on a ball screen for a guard
Ayanna Patterson – 2022 – 6-3 – Forward – Always 100 Wilmont 2020 – Dominant playing two years up…Works on the wing or in the post equally well…Reaches up and robs the air of the basketball…Big time combination of versatility and athleticism…Mind and body are on the same page…Plays up around the back board
Taliyah Parker – 2024 – 5-9 – Guard – BTR 2024 – Advanced physically and athletically…Puts those traits to work on the court…Handles the ball well…Step back three is a big time weapon
Jailah Pelly – 2023 – 5-7 – Guard – St. Louis Eagles 2023 –Developing as a sharpshooter from beyond the arc…Has the body and tools to be much more…Feisty defender who will shoot the gap in the passing lanes…Gets to the hole some, but could do it even more without issue…Very bouncy…Nice touch passes in traffic
Kelsey Ransom – 2020 – 5-8 – Guard/Forward – New Jersey Panthers Gold – Athletic so she can do a little of everything…More of a wing…Will post up some too…Effective on the drive…Fast and strong off the bounce…Great body control… Willingness and ability is there to work inside when appropriate…On ball defense is standout
Kendall Renard – 2020 – 6-3 – Forward – Wisconsin Purple Aces 2020 – Four player stretches defense with her three point shooting ability…Likes the trail three up top especially…Long and strong…Good motor…Can be a high volume rebounder
Sania Richardson – 2025 – 5-2 – Point Guard/Guard – BTR 2024 – Among the youngest players…Dangerous…Shoots the three like a high schooler already…Some big time assists in transition
Shayne Sellers – 2021 – 6-2 – Point Guard – SMAC Ballers – Great length and size …Combines with the skill and understanding of a lead guard…Smooth and fluid…Gets rid of the ball quickly…Makes sound decisions…Intercepts passes like a free safety…Fiery competitor
Kiya Thompson – 2019 – 5-7 – Guard – Team Slink Pink 2019 – Shooter…Can score in bursts including from deep…Athletic off the dribble as well…Caught some eyes with her performance
Hailey Weaver – 2021 – 5-11 – Guard/Forward – SMAC Ballers – Versatile and lanky…Rim runner in transition…15 foot range is there…Flies around on defense…Better off the dribble than she knows…Drawing more atention
Imani Williams – 2022 – 5-6 – Point Guard – SC Future – Left handed stroke from three…Has some glide with the ball…Keeps her head up…Court vision is there…Elevating her game
BATTLE IN THE BORO
Amirah Abdur-Rahim – 2020 – 6-3 – Forward – FBC United Hunt – Athletically gifted…Can defend all five positions…All arms and legs…Patient with the ball…Will become bigger problem once the face up game clicks
Sydney Bowles – 2022 – 5-11 – Guard/Forward – GA Pearls 2021 National – Build is nearly college ready…Has gotten good with the basketball…Experience has sharpened her mind for the game…Utilizes the jump stop to find an opening to score two points
Madison Brady – 2020 – 6-2 – Post – East TN Pyro – Big but light on her feet in the post…Gets position and makes herself a terrific target…Will face up to score inside…Not hesitant to make passes in the paint
Hevynne Bristow – 2019 – 6-0 – Guard/Forward – New Heights 17U – Elite athletic tools…Physical and looks the part…Big hands…Ability to defend different positions…Plays to win
Jaloni Cambridge – 2024 – 5-3 – Point Guard – FBC The Family 2023 – Showing great patience…Gets to rim when she wants…Throwing pinpoint lobs to her posts…Developing good defensive instincts…Providing textbook point guard play
Chloe Clardy – 2023 – 5-8 – Point Guard/Guard – AR Dazzlers 2022 – Effective playing on or away from the ball…Shoots the three off the bounce…Gets to the rim at a high rate…Patient in the screen and roll game…Understands and reads
Olivia Cochran – 2020 – 6-2 – Post – FBC United Hunt – Absolute beast in the paint…Productive and efficient on the catch down low…Smart and patient…Continues strong spring and summer
Terri Crawford – 2019 – 6-1 – Forward – All-Alabama Roadrunners Kirk – Face up in the post…Nice 15 foot face up jumper…Throws her weight around on the boards…Will post on low block as well…Pull up jump shot is there…Jumps around with some strength
Reychel Douglas – 2023 – 5-10 – Guard/Forward – Carolina Dream – Young athlete…Natural movements…Defends perimeter well…Perfect wing size and skill set…Can make an impact on either side of the ball
Janiya Downs – 2019 – 5-10 – Guard – NC Team Xpress Heggie – Athletic shot blocker…Has more potential to be a better attacker off the bounce…Rebounding effort on both ends…Likes the spin to finish on drive…Mid range game has a chance to pick it up
Aaliyah Gayles – 2022 – 5-9 – Guard – Vegas Elite –Big time athleticism on the wing…Elevates to finish with long arms to help out…Gets to the rim at will…Can hold her own with elite older competition right now…Jumper will improve with age and work
Emily Jones – 2020 – 6-0 – Guard/Forward – TN Flight Navy – Do it all player…Lots of rebounds…Takes it on her own in transition…Hits the three…Likes to play a faster pace…Versatile defender
Aubrie Kierscht – 2022 – 5-5 – Point Guard – OHLDE Elite 2022 – Sharpshooter from three…Quick, tight shot…Follow through is text…Very comfortable with the ball…Impressive young shooter…Watch
Gabrielle Martin – 2023 – 5-9 – Post – All Ohio Xpress 2023 – Handing out that post work inside for now…Back to the basket move set serves her well…Will need to grow some to stay down there
Mali Morgan-Elliott – 2019 – 6-0 – Guard/Forward – Ohio Elite Black – Shoots the ball from the perimeter…Size and versatility to play the wing or the #4 spot…Hits the contested trail three…Can rebound and score in the paint…Boxes out bigger kids without issue
Lor Mputu – 2021 – 6-1 – Forward – MD Lady Terps – Raw but noticeable wingspan…Can run, jump, and move her feet…Good and instinctual on defense…Played well versus older competition…On track
Sophie Nelson – 2022 – 5-10 – Guard – WV Thunder 2022 White – Smooth driver with some length…Moves with the ball at a different pace…Will knock down the pull up jumper
Shaniah Nunn – 2022 – 5-11 – Point Guard/Guard – All Alabama Roadrunners 2022 – Physical stature is impressive…Fast with and without the ball…Hustles on the court…More scoring ability in there
Kenyal Perry – 2020 – 6-7 – Post – Texas Phenoms – Runs and jumps without issue…Goes up and gets the lob to score two…Awesome wingspan…Consistent ability from 15 feet is eye catching for size…Well on her way
Elizabeth Privett – 2022 – 5-8 – Guard – All Alabama Roadrunners 2022 – Makes heads up, savvy plays…Shoots the three…Ball handling is refined…Gets to the rim…Finisher with either hand on either side
Emma Risch – 2023 – 5-11 – Guard – East Coast United 2022 Futures – Big time scorer on the wing…Length and advanced skill level…Puts the ball through the net at all levels
Emma Theodorsson – 2022 – 5-11 – Guard/Forward – WPA Bruins 2022 Black – Great build already…Good set of ball skills…Likes to drive it to the rim…Good defender…Solid contributor all around
Jaiden Thomas – 2022 – 5-8 – Point Guard – AR Dazzlers 2022 – True point guard prospect…Plays at a level beyond her years…Sets the tone and tempo…Picks your pocket defensively
Payton Verhulst – 2021 – 6-1 – Guard – Next Level Eclipse 17U Blue Star – Knows how to play the game…Special scoring and playmaking prowess…Three ball off the bounce is deadly…Advanced ball handler but no wasted dribbles…Rebounds amongst the big kids no problem…Established prospect who continues to advance her game
Brianna Woolridge – 2022 – 6-2 – Forward – Illinois Elite Black 15U – Mobile and physically inclined…Handles the ball some…Can freeze defenders with the hesitation…Able to bring up the rebounds on her own…Still growing her game
Arayana Young – 2021 – 6-1 – Forward – I-90 Elite 9thGrade – Has the look and level of play…Drives from the high post or connects on the high-low…Catch and finish on the roll…Fights for position on offense…Finishes with either hand… Hard to shoot over her when she’s outstretched
