NATIONAL HARBOR, Md.—It’s said time and again and it continues to hold true year after year. You simply don’t need too many specifics when you’re talking about the nation’s longest running and highest regarded open event of the club basketball season. You could say ”USJN National championship” but, why bother? Simply say “D.C.” and everyone from recruiters to clubs, players to parents and from fans to media will know exactly what event you’re talking about.
In its 31styear, the USJN National Championship returned to the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center to kick off the second segment of the NCAA July Evaluation Period. With a much appreciated and very manageable 30 floors under the same roof where the large majority of the teams were staying, the National Harbor setting may well be one of the most convenient and productive settings on the club calendar. Over 380 teams made their way to the nation’s capital this time around. Clubs from 27 different states, two provinces in Canada and even one squad from England made up the 65 pools and eight brackets of competition.
When all was said and done Wednesday the ultra-competitive Diamond Division came down to a barnburner between Boo William’s EYBL team and the deep and talented Sports City U team out of Ohio. Boo’s eight point halftime lead disappeared in the second half of play but a late run had them in control down the stretch. SCU wasn’t done however and clawed their way back within reach across the final minute. Rickea Jackson (2019 – Detroit, Michigan), who’s play separated herself from the crowd even further throughout the event, got a final look at a game winner for Sports City as time ran out but aggressive defense and some debatable contact saw the ball roll out and the hardware head home to Virginia.
Top honors in the Platinum bracket did head home to the Buckeye State as the Ohio Future State Shumate edged in state rival Cincy Swish 49 – 46. BSY Constandine from New York got by New Jersey’s Team Miller 49 – 45 for the Gold crown while the New Jersey Freedom nipped the Bay State Jaguars 56 – 54 for the Silver. In the Bronze final the Philadelphia Belles Steidle continued their successful summer getting by another Pennsylvania squad in the Runnin Rebels McDonough Jr 61 – 51. Copper bragging rights belong to the WNY Lady Lakers Blue with their convincing 63 – 38 win over the Blue Wave from Maine. The Hoosier State of Indiana gets in on the winning as the Always 100 Wilmont team got by another Philly Belles team, this one coached by Andrea Peterson, with a 53 – 30 final margin. Pennsylvania got even in the Quartz final as the Comets Genther rolled past Ohio’s Team Huddle Cousy by a 58 – 33 score.
To see complete results, pool All-Stars, lists of participating teams and college recruiters in attendance, follow the link below to the post event page on the USJN web site for the 31stAnnual National Championship from National Harbor.
https://www.usjn.com/xtm_post_event_new.php?which=510
With an easy navigable playing site and a depth of both known and evolving talent, the crown jewel of USJN’s over 50 events in 2018 provided plenty for recruiters, evaluators and media to take in across four days. As always, it would be impossible to see every team play but here are some quick looks at some of many eye catching performances in D.C. this year. They’re in alphabetical order and represent no rankings or assessment of recruiting prospects. We’ll leave that to the folks who have their jobs on the line with their evaluations.
Destiny Adams – 2021 – 6-2 – Wing – Jersey Warriors Basketball Club– Agile with a lean build…Can create off the drive…Slashes into traffic…Form is there…Hesitation move works well…Has the length and mobility to make an impact defensively
Ashlee Austin – 2019 – 6-1 – Forward – Atlanta Cagers– Size and strength combine with a good skill set…Active…Works hard to make herself an option…Gets out in transition…Good presence on the offensive boards…Anticipates off the ball defensively
Maggie Besselink – 2020 – 6-1 – Forward – Team Ontario– Nice size and frame…Solid lower body strength serves her well…Active with and without the ball…Looking to get to the rim…Struggled some with traffic…Length is a plus on defense as well…Good hands
Sydney Bowles – 2022 – 6-0 – Guard – Georgia Pearls– Physically strong with size for age…Aggressive with the ball…Sharp skills in creating both shots and passes…Improves her options as well as those of teammates…Good vision and passing in transition…Gets to the rim…Handles contact…Willing to work on defense
Jada Boyd – 2019 – 6-3 – Forward – Boo Williams EYBL– Consistency is finally coming…Size and strength combine with a mix of skills…Active…works to be an option…Can slash from the high post…Gets on the glass at times…Will get out in transition…Handles the physical game
Dajanae Brannon – 2019 – 5-10 – Forward – Central Pa Elite– Power player…Physically strong…Assertive and aggressive on both ends…Deceiving…Made some plays on both ends…Got on the boards
Tailor Broussard – 2019 – 6-1 – Forward – UTLB Elite Jacobs– Athletic forward…Exceptional vertical…Played with intensity…Made plays on both ends…Got on the glass…Decent form with time…Had moments
Jordan Brown – 2019 – 5-8 – Point Guard – Team Miller Lightning– Quick and attacking…Penetrates…Hesitation move is sharp…Narrow base on perimeter shot…Anticipates defensively
Kalaya Buggs – 2021 – 5-9 – Guard – Arizona Select– Strong and explosive with the ball…Aggressive to the rim…Speed off her moves leaves defenders scrambling…Throws her body into rotating defenders with efficient results…Decent form and range on the perimeter…Anticipates well defensively
Jessica Clarke – 2020 – 6-2 – Forward – BC United Blue Star– Nice size and frame…Agility is there for size…Works hard…Runs the floor…Posts up aggressively…Some ballhandling is in place…Has been coached
Jada Claude – 2019 – 6-1 – Forward – Hoop Dreams Athletics– Length with impressive athleticism…Assertive on both ends of the floor…Plays with effort…One and two dribble drives allow her to create…Got on the glass…Could be an impact defender
Makira Cook – 2020 – 5-6 – Point Guard – Angels basketball Club– Speed and quickness serve her well…Beginning to take command…Solid decisions on the break…Can be a scoring threat herself…Improves options of those playing with her
Cailee Crawford – 2021 – 5-11 – Guard – New Mexico Clippers– Strong and solid in the backcourt…Ballhandling is sharp…Reads on the catch…Develops and improves options for both her and her teammates…Competes…Could be more assertive defensively
Mia Davis – 2023 – 5-11 – Guard – Arizona Premier– Promising top tier prospect…Good size and athleticism at a young age…Can develop and create her own looks…Impressive acceleration off her moves to the rime…Form and stroke are sound and effective…Navigates traffic off penetration…Watch closely
Caroline Ducharme – 2021 – 6-1 – Wing – MCW Starz– Continues to add to her game…Reads and reacts on the catch…Good instincts…Pull up had some moments…Not hesitant about taking it into traffic on the break or in the halfcourt…Makes herself available even with pressure…Physicality will come with added strength
Sania Feagin – 2021 – 6-4 – Post – Georgia Pearls– Strong and aggressive young post…Dynamic athlete for the interior…Works for position…Has strength and not afraid to use it…Cuts hard looking to make herself an option…Goes up with authority on the catch…Can clean the glass…Does show her frustration at times…Elite possibilities
Jess Finney – 2021 – 5-9 – Guard – Arizona Select– Wiry and lean…At the same time feisty and competitive…Active with and without the ball…Gets out in transition…Some ballskills work well for her…Has promise with physical growth and strength
Kate Garry – 2020 – 5-10 – Wing – Cincy Swish Baltimore– Lean with some size on the perimeter…Nice stroke and range…Sound ballhandling…Active defender
Aaliyah Gayles – 2022 – 5-8 – Guard – Vegas Elite Blue – Dynamic athlete…Ballhandling is refined for ages…Handles traffic with ease…Speed and quickness set her apart…Pushes the ball off makes and misses…Can make moves at full speed…Elevates on her jumper
Bree Hall – 2021 – 6-0 – Guard – Sports City U– Steady and strong growth in her game…Added size and strength are an asset…Playing with more intensity…On ball defense is becoming an impact asset…Can be a physical challenge for defenders trying to limit her off the dribble…Only going to continue to improve…About to move into another level
Mckenzie Holmes – 2019 – 6-2 – Post – Maine Firecrackers– Indiana commit…Textbook and productive in the post…Schooled younger opponents…Smart, active and aggressive…Understands what she’s looking for…Post moves are refined…First step gets her past defenders…Gets the ball out quick to trigger the break
Rita Igbokwe – 2019 – 6-5 – Post – Hoop Dreams Athletics– Plenty of size with a solid frame…Good strength and a willingness to use it…Deceptively quick first step…Showed a jump hook a couple of times…Works hard for position…Will get physical defensively…Not raw but rough edges with plenty of promise
Rickea Jackson – 2019 – 6-3 – Wing / Forward – Sports City U– Without peer in D.C…Took over multiple games in multiple ways…Impact player on both ends…Not just what she does but how she does it…Can defend any spot on the floor in any scheme…Attacks the boards with a vengeance…Focus is there regardless of score…Elite among the elite
Diamond Johnson – 2019 – 5-5 – Point Guard – Boo Williams EYBL– Speed and quickness to spare…Almost impossible to stay in front of…Can duck among the trees on penetration…Decent spot up shooter…Forces defenders to close out…Pushed the ball off misses and turnovers…Quick hands and feet defensively
Maddie Krull – 2020 – 5-11 – Guard – All Nebraska Attack– Improves each time we see her…Plays with intensity and focus…Deceptive speed with sharp ballskills…Sees the floor on the break and in the halfcourt…Finds way to get to the rim…Lots of effort
Rashaya Kyle – 2020 – 6-5 – Post – Always 100 Wilmont– Has all the physical tools…Size, length and frame are all there…Moves well…Lots of agility for size…Lateral footspeed is there defensively…Active player on both ends…Goes up strong in traffic…Can be imposing herself defensively…Got on the defensive glass but offensive boards need more consistency
Katelyn Levings – 2020 – 6-3 – Wing / Forward – Oklahoma Swarm– Depth to skill set is exceptional…Tools to work inside or out…Can develop or improve her own looks off the dribble…Reads and understands match-ups and mismatches…Length and a good first step serve her well defensively…Physical strength with come with time
Kayla Lezama – 2022 – 5-9 – Guard – New England Crusaders– Strong summer continues…Confidence is evolving…Speed and quickness are finding their spots…Can push it in transition with few peers…Step back covers some ground…Fluid stroke…More judicious with putting it on the floor…Evolving attack
Caroline Lau – 2022 – 5-9 – Point Guard – Connecticut Impact– Continues to advance and mature…Attacks quickly…Sharp ballskills allow her to create shots and passes…Plays with confidence for age…Pushes the ball in transition…Hesitation and crossover are sharp…Has both the stroke and range to force tight closeouts
Alisha Lewis – 2019 – 5-7 – Point Guard – Philadelphia Belles EYBL– Got to the rim more often…Pushed the ball from makes, misses and turnovers…No reservations about going in among the bigs…Change of speed served her well…Efficient on ball defender…Anticipates with both hands and feet…Had some moments
Aniya Matthews – 2020 – 6-3 – Forward / Post – Spooky Nook Lady Raiders– Size and build…Good athleticism…Runs the floor…Drop step is efficient and sound…Active without…Wingspan serves her well defensively
Kiyomi McMiller – 2024 – 5-3 – Point Guard – OSA Sharpshooters– Well known for age…Dynamic ballskills finding good application…Picking her spots more efficiently…Lots of quickness on the attack…Surprising ability to finish in traffic and with contact…Spotted up well at times…Active hands and feet defensively
Diamond Miller – 2019 – 6-2 – Wing – Team Miller Lightning– Maryland commit…Length and athleticism are elite…First step is lengthy and challenges all defenders…patient on the catch…Reads defenders…Elevates with body control…Stroke and touch are there to keep opponents honest…Length is an asset on defense as well
Ellie Mitchell – 2019 – 6-1 – Forward / Post – Germantown Lady Panthers– Size and frame for the college level…Smart and skilled…Has depth to her attack…Can work the block or from the high post…Decent ball skills for size…Shot fake is there…Can create her own…Lots of tools
Aleah Nelson – 2019 – 5-5 – Point Guard – Philadelphia Belles McAleer– Cincinnati commit…Small but quick and aggressive at the point…Plenty of speed both in transition and off the drive…Pushes it at opportunity…Active without the ball in her hands as well…Shot is off the shoulder to a small degree…Assertive on ball defender
Jordyn Oliver – 2019 – 5-11 – Guard – Cy-Fair Elite EYBL– Event cut short with an ankle…To that point dominating and attacking…Explosive to the hole as in the past…Body control in traffic…Gets off the floor both on the drive and from the perimeter…Decisions and choices with the ball better each time out…Physical defender
Sydney Parrish – 2020 – 6-2 – Wing / Forward – Spiece Gym Rats– Adding depth to her game…Becoming a multifaceted scoring option…Shot opened up options off the dribble…Factor in halfcourt as well as transition…Cuts hard with intent…Works defensively…Strength will be an asset down the road
Ayanna Patterson – 2022 – 6-1 – Forward – Always 100 Wilmont– Athletic and active…Agility makes her a factor offensively and defensively…Tools are there to develop her own options…Can take it to the rim off the wing or from the trail spot…Vertical allows her finish in traffic as well as be a factor on the boards…Light on her feet defensively but somewhat ball oriented at times
Kateri Poole – 2020 – 5-9 – Point Guard – New heights NYC– Highly regarded…Physically strong and assertive with the ball…Explosiveness off the move…Change of speed is exceptional…Initiates contact to keep defenders off balance…Gets to the rim…Smooth touch with time…Consistency will keep closeouts honest
KiKi Rice – 2022 – 5-9 – Guard – Germantown Lady Panthers– Outstanding summer continues…Added length is an asset on both ends…Active in halfcourt and transition…Mixes up her speed…Crossover is developing…Elevates on the drive…Active without the ball
Bella Runyan – 2020 – 5-11 – Wing / Forward – Philadelphia Belles Steidle– Smart…Knows her role…Gets out and runs the floor…Attacked off the drive from the high post…Handled contact as rotations came…Lots of effort and focus
Adji Seck – 2019 – 6-4 – Post – Arizona Select– Plenty of size with lots of length…Rail thin at this point…Fluid and agile…Light on her feet for size…Long way to go for skills to catch up with physical assets…Showed off a short five footer…Tools but needs time
Hailey Sherrick – 2022 – 5-6 – Guard – NexElite Babson– Slight young guard…Good speed with the ball…Sees the floor on the attack…Quick release is there on her shot…Strength will have to come
Emma Shumate -2021 – 5-11 – Wing – Ohio Future Baker– Young and versatile…Ballskills and passing are advanced…Active both with and without the ball…Step back is in place…Narrow base on the perimeter shot…Well established with lots of promise
Keegan Sullivan – 2020 – 6-0 – Guard – Sky Diggs Elite– More strength…Ballskills allow her to improve her looks…Crossover is deceptive…Floater has a soft touch…Makes some plays…Learning close out gaps defensively
Jordan Wakefield – 2019 – 6-0 – Wing – Philadelphia Belles McALeer– Strong and agile on the wing…Has some size and the ability to put it to use…Handles contact on penetration…Nice touch to keep defenders honest…Made plays
Madeline Westbeld – 2020 – 6-2 – Wing – Angels Basketball Club– Added size and strength…Slow start but strong finish…Mixes her attack more efficiently…Range and touch open up penetration options…Can score in streaks…Challenging match up decision for opposition…Turnovers need to be reeled in at times
Cayla Williams – 2021 – 6-2 – Forward – Fairfax Stars McCormick– Athletic forward…has some size to put to use…Moves well…Active without the ball…Needs some refinement but some tools are in place
