The 2016 Deep South Classic featured over 400 teams from across the country.  The Raleigh Convention Center played host to teams from almost half the states as well as a large contingent of college coaches.  The talent level featured prospects from and for every level of play.  Today we focus on some of the top performers on hand for the second of the NCAA Spring Evaluation Periods.  Below are some profiles as well as some quickhitters on some players you already know as well as some you don’t.

Aliyah Boston – 2019 – (Worcester, MA) iExcel Horton/Austin 16U: Boston, a 6-2 native from Virgin Islands, is an athletic forward who runs the floor extremely well with good hands and can finish off the fast break. She’s a good shot-blocker and rebounds well at both ends of the court. Offensively, Boston has a nice drop-step going left and a nice touch in the paint. She will either score or get fouled. She must continue to develop her low-post and face-up game as well as gain more upper and lower body strength. Boston is an active player with a nice frame and huge upside.

Zipporah Broughton – 2018 – (Wetumpka, AL) AL Southern Starz 2018 Elite: At 5-8, Zipporah Broughton is a Top 25 guard that does all the intangibles that coaches love.  She stroked multiple treys and finished well off the break.  Broughton also attacked the rim and either produced in the paint or dropped dimes to her teammates.  Defensively, she has the tools to be a lockdown defender.  Broughton is an all-around player with a knack for making big plays.  Keep a close eye on her.

Samantha Brunelle – 2019 – (Ruckersville,VA) BWSL Richmond 2018 16U: Samantha “Baby Dell” Brunelle is a very skilled 6-2 prototype forward. The nickname is a reference to her idol and WNBA star Ellena Delle Donne. Brunelle played extremely well showing herself to be a low post presence at both ends of the floor. She has a strong interior game with is a nice blend of athleticism and power. Brunelle also showed that she has a smooth face up attack and an effective midrange jumper that extends out to the three point line. The rebounding is there and with the ability to put the ball on the floor she does a great job initiating the fast break.  With all the tools and skills and continued advancement she’ll continue to be a top 10 presence in the 2019 class.

Khalis Cain – 2020 – (Durham, NC) Carolina All-Stars 2020 14U: The 6-2 Cain has a long athletic build, long arms and nice wing span.  She defended the post like a lioness protecting her cubs.  The 2020 prospect was blocking shots and battling for every rebound. Additionally, she ran the floor well, and showed ability to finish in paint with either hand. Like a fine wine, she’ll get better with time.  

Maia Caito – 2018 – (Cranston, RI) Boston Showstoppers Blue 15U:  Caito, a 6-4 post, has a WNBA body. She’s a true center and has a strong presence in the paint at both ends of the court. Caito moves and runs the floor well. She does a good job hitting the boards at both ends. On the offense she is an effective low post scorer in the paint. Caito showed the ability to attack off the dribble and knock down the short jumper. Caito needs to further develop her low post and face up game. Definitely a major D-I prospect with a huge upside.

Chloe Chapman – 2019 – (Mitchellville, MD) MD Lady Terps 17U: Chloe Chapman AKA “Baby AI” has all the tools to be a special player. The athletic, quick and speedy 5-8 point guard has excellent command of her dribble and attacks the basket with either hand. Chapman has great court vision and a high basketball IQ. She loves to push the ball. She is a very good leaper and rebounds well for her size. Chapman creates havoc for opposing teams living in their paint. Chapman is a great on-ball defender and loves to jump into the passing lanes. Already a top 10 prospect.

Mikayla Coombs – 2017 – (Buford, GA) FBC Mo 2017: Coombs is ultra-athletic 5-11 guard with a smooth mid-range shot and sweet stroke from beyond the arc to help compliment her attacking style. She does a great job of penetrating looking to score or drop dimes to spotting up or slashing teammates. Coombs has very good ball handling skills while going right and left equally well. She uses her long arms and athleticism to be a force on the defensive end creating a great deal of havoc for her opponents. A top 10 prospect…special.

Cailyn Crocker – 2019 – (Cypress, CA) SO Cal Select 15U: A 5-8 point guard with an athletic frame who played extremely well.  Crocker used a killer crossover coupled with her explosive first step to attack the paint looking to score or dish to slashing teammates.  She is a real floor general and will make all the right passes.  Crocker used her speed and quickness to create havoc at both ends of the floor with in your face on ball defense. Crocker is future star on the horizon.

Kaitlin Davis – 2019 – (Norwalk, CT) CT Basketball Club 17U: A quality athletic wing is always a commodity and 6-1 Davis has the chance to be just what everybody seems to be looking for.  The 2019 standout has a long athletic college body.  She rebounds the ball at highest point, runs the floor and finishes well in the paint.  Davis has a nice mid-range shot plus a low post and face up game.  She also has a good command of her dribble along with great court vision and precision passing. Davis has the potential to be a dominate force at both ends. The potential is there for a tremendous upside for more. A can’t miss D-I prospect.

Unique Drake – 2019 – (Columbia, SC) SC Future 15U: Drake is the type of player that catches your eye because of her hustle and talent.  The 5-6 point guard left everything she had on the court. Diving for loose balls and relentlessly breaking the other teams presses with her impressive command of her dribble. Drake attacks the paint with a reckless abandon creating for herself and teammates.  She also showed the ability to make big shots and played hard-nosed defense. With continued develop expect big things from Unique Drake, she has the tools to be special.

Kaitlyn Gilbert – 2018 – (Indianapolis, IN) Best Choice United 17U: Gilbert was consistently attacking and finishing in traffic as well as dropping dimes to cutting teammates.  Gilbert has excellent command of her dribble plus she attacks with either hand equally.  At 5-11 she uses her size and great court vision to her advantage dishing out no look passes. Gilbert also has the ability to stroke the jumper be it midrange or out beyond the three point arc. On the other end you can count on lock down defense. Gilbert has an explosive game with big time potential.

Madison Greene – 2019 – (Pickerington, OH) Cincinnati Angels: This 5-9 athletic guard played extremely well. Greene showed that her all-around game was on point.  She used a killer crossover coupled with her explosive first step to attack the paint looking to score or dish to slashing teammates. Greene used her speed and quickness to get out and finish off the break while weaving in and out of traffic handling the rock equally well with both hands. She also showed that she can consistently stroke the midrange jumper as well as be a threat from beyond the arc. Greene demonstrated the ability to translate her speed and athleticism into dividends on the defensive end by forcing turnovers and cashing in on the ensuing possession. Looking forward to her continued development. Keep your eyes on this one.

Caitlyn Hose – 2018 – (Hazel Green, AL.) AL Southern Starz Looney 15U: Hose, a 5-9 point guard, is player to keep eyes one. She is a good spot up three point shooter, excellent ball handler, has good court vision, and is a good passer. Hose is aggressive and likes to attack the basket, looking to score or draw the foul. She’s a good free-throw shooter and gets to the line because she has the ability to break down defenses. Hose rebounds well for her position. Hose is a hard-nosed tough defender.  That, combined with her speed, sheer grit and determination, makes her one solid prospect. Hose style of play closely resembles former NBA MVP Steve Nash. Hose is a must see prospect.

Dynah Jones – 2018 – (Avondale, LA) Kenner Angels 17U: This 5-9 speedy point guard played extremely well. Jones had her entire repertoire on display. She used a killer crossover coupled with her explosive first step to attack the paint looking to score or dish to slashing teammates. Jones used her speed and quickness to get out and finish off the break while weaving in and out of traffic handling the rock equally well with both hands. She also showed that she can consistently stroke the mid-range jumper as well as be a threat from beyond the arc. Jones, a lockdown defender, gave the opposing guards fits. She’s definitely a guard on the rise and with continued development has a chance to be very good. Keep your eyes on this one.

Brooke Moore – 2018 – (McDonough, GA) FBC Mo 2017: Moore, a 5-6 speedy guard, loves to get out on the break and get out into the open court.  She likes to penetrate and attack off the dribble, looking to score or dish to the open teammate. Moore is a good passer and clutch scorer. Moore showed she can consistently knock down the mid-range and was flat out filling it up from beyond the three point line.  Moore is a tough on ball defender works extremely hard both ends.

Anaya Peoples – 2019 – (Danville, IL) Best Choice United 17U: This 5-10 guard is cooler than the other side of the pillow. Peoples played extremely well all weekend. She had her entire repertoire on display.  Peoples used a killer crossover coupled with her explosive first step to attack the paint looking to score or dish to slashing teammates. She used her speed and quickness to get out and finish off the break while weaving in and out of traffic handling the rock equally well with both hands. She also showed that she can consistently stroke the mid-range jumper as well as be a threat from beyond the arc as well as play some lockdown defense.  Peoples was a joy to watch and is definitely a prospect on the rise.

Sydnee Roby – 2019 – (Milwaukee, WI) Milwaukee Lady Spartans 15U:  Roby, standing 6-3 with a college build, has the physical tools to play at the next level…only time will tell.  There’s plenty of power and finesse to go with that size and it makes her a difficult match up.  She’s active without the ball and on the catch is quick to attack the rim.  She runs the floor extremely well and did a nice job on finishing in the paint.  Defensively she’s a presence with her size and is a space eater in the paint. Show the ability to block shots from the weak side of the floor. Looking forward to tracking Roby’s continued development. Tremendous upside.

Alexis Sykes – 2017 – (Brooklyn, NY) New York Lightning: We are always on the lookout for shooters and Sykes came off the bench raining threes. She hit multiple treys from three feet past the three-point arc. Sykes also showed good command of her dribble with excellent court vision. She played fundamentally sound on the defensive end. Sykes’ is much more than a shooter but shooting is definitely her main stay. Definitely worth watching.

Haley Troup – 2017 – (Gasden, AL) AL Southern Starz Bush 17U: Troup, a 5-10 top 25 prospect, reminds us of a female Larry Bird. For further reference feel free to YouTube him. Troup plays with a ton of energy. She has a high motor on both ends of the floor.  Troup attacks the paint with her dribble drive with reckless abandon.  She is a tenacious defender and attacks the defensive boards with the same vigor that you see on the offensive end.  Troup has a sweet shot that extends out to 20 feet. Works extremely hard on both ends…sky is the limit.

Kourtney Weber – 2019 – (St. Rose, LA): Kenner Angels 17U: Weber has a college body along with a college game.  This six footer reminds me of a young Tamika Catchings. Weber at times appeared to be everywhere with the ability to play multiple positions. She is a good ball handler and passer. Weber makes good decisions versus pressure defense. She is extremely athletic and has good command of her athletic frame. Weber likes to create off the dribble and has the ability to finish in the paint. She runs the floor extremely well and finishes off the fast break. Weber works extremely hard, a very good on-ball defender as well as helpside defender. She rebounds well at both ends of the floor. Weber has a smooth all-around game. Fun to watch.

Quickhitters

Celeste Akoro – 2017 – 6-3 – Forward / Post – O’Fallon IL – Strong in the paint…Posts well…Provides a wide target with decent hands…Good paint defender.. Mid major

Dominque Banks – 2017 – 6-4 Post – Forest Park, Ga. – Great length…Runs the floor well…Rebounds… Finishes in the paint …Good defender and shot blocker…Showed ability to match up on the perimeter

Ny’Sja Bradford – 2018 – 5-6 Guard Baltimore, MD –  Three point stroke…Great handles…Attacks…Loves contact…Tear drop floater… SWAG…Mid to High Major

Jessika Carter – 2018 – 6-5 – Post – Center Columbus, GA – Long…Athletic…Runs floor…Nice face up game…Rebounds well…Active…Shot blocker…Finishes in paint…Major D-I prospect

Me’ara Carter – 2018 – 6-4 Post – Dorchester, MA – Long and athletic…Runs the floor…Solid low post game on both ends…Rebounds…High energy

Ayanna Clark – 2017 – 6-3 Post – Long Beach, CA -Power and finesse…Beast on Boards…Nice low post moves…Match up nightmare…Unlimited potential

Taja Cummings -2017 – 5-5 Point Guard – East Point, GA . –  Sick crossover…Smooth hesitation dribble…Made good decisions…Three point stroke…Scrappy player….Good on ball defender…Patient and composed

Bianca Jackson – 2017 – 5-10 Guard – Montgomery, AL. – Long…Athletic…Great court vision…Solid on ball defender…Shoots well from 15-20 feet…Mature calmness…Ability to attack the paint…High basketball IQ

Makaela Kestner – 2018- 5-11 Guard – Bealeton, VA – Shooter…Strokes the three ball…Finishes at the rack…Solid defender

Eden Nibbelink – 2017 – 6-2 – Rollingstone, MN-  A shooter with good touch…Three point range…Good defender…Good handles…Court vision…Good passer

Javyn Nicholson – 2019- 6-3 Post – Lawrenceville, Ga – Great size…Rebounds well…Runs floor…Nice mid-range jumper…Communicates….Defends well…Finishes in paint.

Leah Sims – 2017 – 5-4 – Guard Chicago, IL -. Money from behind the arc…Scrappy defender….Good handles…Grinds

Jordan Strange – 2018 – 5-6 – Point Guard – Columbia, SC – Good command of her dribble…Sweet stroke…Attacks…Solid on ball defender….Good passer

Myah Taylor – 2017 – 5-8 Guard – Olive Branch, MS – Smooth mid-range shot…Sweet stroke from beyond the arc…Good ball handling skills…Went right and left equally well… Very athletic…Finishes…Strong in paint

Unique Thompson – 2017 – 6-2 Post – Mobile, AL – Long armed and athletic…Great body…Rebounds well…Nice face up game…Finishes well at the rack…Defends post…BCS prospect

Jutoreyia Willis – 2018- 5-10 Wing – Chattanooga, TN-  Great length…Runs floor…Communicates well…Tough…Battles on the boards…Good foot work…Strong defender…Finishes in paint…Huge upside