RALEIGH, NC .— The 2015 Deep South Classic had 396 teams from across the nation. The Raleigh Convention Center played host to teams representing almost half of our 50 states in front of over 500 college coaches. Several highly regarded prospects like 2016 point guard Destiny Slocom, who scored 5 points in less than 12 seconds which included a deep three pointer and in bound assist to herself via the defenders backside for the lay up forcing overtime. We always enjoy watching the known studs but the focus this weekend is on the newcomers along with some quick hitters. All of these young ladies put their best foot forward in front of a large contingent of college coaches.
Below are a few of the athletes worth keeping an eye on for the future.
2018
Zipporah Broughton (Wetumpka, AL) AL Southern Starz 2018 Elite: At 5-7, Zipporah Broughton is a feisty and crafty point 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. She also displayed a nice mid-range touch. Defensively, she aggressively defended the opponents point guard forcing them into multiple turnovers. Broughton likes the physical aspects of the game and uses them to her advantage. Simply put, she finds a way to make plays to help her team win. Broughton is an all-around player with a knack for making big plays. The incoming freshman has a tremendous future. Keep eyes on.
Ajah Wayne (Birmingham, AL) AL Southern Starz Looney 15U: Wayne, the 5-9 prospect is a very athletic wing with explosive leaping ability and she plays with a ton of energy. She has a high motor at both ends of the floor. Wayne 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. Wayne has a nice shot that extends out to 17 feet. Works extremely hard both ends sky is the limit.
Trinity Lee (Knoxville, TN) Tennessee Fury Munday 15U: This 5-8 speedy point guard played extremely well. Lee 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. Lee 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. Lee demonstrated the ability to be a lockdown defender by forcing turnovers and converting them into buckets. She’s definitely a guard on the rise and with continued development has a chance to very good. Keep your eyes on this one.
Maia Caito (Cranston, RI) Boston Showstoppers 14U: Caito, the 6-3 post, has a college-ready body. She’s a true center and has a strong presence in the paint at both ends of the court. Caito is a smart enough low post defender with the ability to block shots but doesn’t pick up silly fouls, a trait that plagues a lot of young centers. Caito is a decent athlete, she moves and runs the floor well. She boxes out and hits the boards at both ends. Caito could improve on her offensive rebounding production. On the offensive end 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. She is a good free-throw shooter. Caito needs to further develop her low post and face up game and continue to gain strength. Definitely a major DI prospect with a a huge upside.
Elizabeth Dixon (Germantown, TN) AL Southern Starz Looney 15U: Dixon standing 6-3 with a lean and athletic build she has the physical tools to play at the next level only time will tell. There’s plenty of agility and quickness 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 both her size and quickness on rotations from the weak side of the floor with the ability to block shots. Dixon will have to add strength and continue to develop her offensive skills. Continue to watch.
Brooke Moore, (McDonough, GA): Its true size doesn’t always matter. Moore 5-6 speedy guard loves to push the ball up the court and get out into the open court where she has great vision. She likes to penetrate and attack off the dribble, looking to score on dish to the open teammate. Moore is a good passer and clutch scorer. Moore showed she can knock down the trey but needs to become a more consistent shooter from mid-range. Moore is a tough on ball defender works extremely hard both ends. Like a fine wine Moore will only get better with time.
Nadege Jean, (Richton Park, IL) Illinois X-Citement Joi 16U: The 6-2 Jean is an athletic post who runs the floor extremely well with good hands and can finish off the fast break. Jean is a good shot-blocker. She rebounds well at both ends of the court. Offensively, Jean has a nice drop-step going left and a nice touch in the paint. She will either score or get fouled. She is a decent free-throw shooter. She must continue to develop her low-post and face-up game as well as gain more upper and lower body strength. Jean is an active player with a nice frame and huge upside.
Caitlyn Hose (Hazel Green, AL.) AL Southern Starz Looney 15U: Hose the 5-7 point guard is player to keep eyes one. She is a good spot up 3-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 combined with her speed and sheer grit and determination makes her one solid prospect. Although Hose doesn’t have the body type her style of play closely resembles Minnesota Lynx point guard Lindsay Whalen. Hose is a must see prospect.
2019
Skyla Knight (Birmingham, AL ) AL Southern Starz Looney 15U: The 2019 5-7 guard game resembles that of Chicago Bull star Derrick Rose. Knight is a smooth point guard that played extremely well all weekend. She had her entire repertoire on display. Knight used a killer crossover coupled with her explosive first step to attack the paint looking to score or dish to her slashing teammates. Knight 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. Knight demonstrated the ability to translate her speed and athleticism into spelling out trouble for opposing offenses forcing turnovers and converting to buckets on the other end. She’s definitely a point guard on the rise and with continued development has a chance to be special.
Cailyn Crocker (Cypress, CA) SO Cal Select 15U: The five foot eight, combo guard with an athletic frame, played extremely well. Crocker caught the attention of several ACC, PAC-12 and SEC programs. 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 can and will be 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. She also showed that she can consistently stroke the midrange jumper as well as be a threat from beyond the arc. Crocker also 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. Crocker is future star on the horizon.
Chloe Chapman, (Mitchellville, MD) MD Lady Terps 17U: The athletic quick speedy 5-foot-8 point guard has excellent command of her dribble and attacks the basket with either hand. Chapman has very good court vision and a high basketball IQ. She loves to push the ball and get out in front of defense and once she does no one is going to catch her. She is a very good leaper and rebounds well for her size. Chapman has the ability to create havoc for opposing teams living in their paint. Despite playing up 3 grades she doesn’t shy away from contact; she played the entire tourney in the paint. She has a nice one-hand floater that she uses in traffic. Chapman is a very good on-ball defender and loves to jump the passing lanes. She has a killing them softly demeanor and she can hurt you from out to 20 feet so chose your poison but chose wisely. Chloe Chapman AKA “Baby AI” has all the tools to be a special player.
Leilani McIntosh (Phoenix, AZ) SO Cal Select 15U: Sometimes a player makes her presence known due to her talent and other times it is because of hustle. In the case of McIntosh hustle and talent came together this weekend for the 5-5 point guard left everything she had on the court. Diving for loose balls and relentlessly breaking the other teams press with her impressive command of her dribble. McIntosh attacks the paint with a reckless abandon creating for self and teammates. She also showed the ability to make big shots and played hard-nosed defense. With added strength and continued develop expect big things from the small but mighty package.
Sydnei Caldwell (Chandler, AZ): Caldwell, the 5-8 niece of LSU Head Coach Nikki Caldwell reminds me of a young Tamika Catchings. The younger Caldwell at times appeared to be everywhere with the ability to play multiple positions. She is a good ballhandler and passer. Caldwell makes good decisions versus pressure defense. She is extremely athletic and has good command of her athletic frame. Caldwell 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. Caldwell works extremely hard, a very good on-ball defender as well as help defender. She rebounds well at both ends of the floor. Caldwell has a smooth jumper her shooting mechanics are fundamentally sound. Caldwell has a nice upside and is fun to watch.
2020
DeJa Kelly (San Antonio, TX) South Texas Hoyas Blue 17U: Really enjoy watching the 5-8 Kelly play up in age group competing against kids that are 3 and 4 years ahead of her in age only. Kelly, the Texas commit, appears to keep getting better and better. Kelly’s cool, calm demeanor didn’t waver when she faced of older tough competition. She proceeded to turn up the defense and when the opportunity presented itself she made big shot after big shot. Kelly attacked off the dribble she used a soft floater on more than one occasion to score against taller opponents. Kelly looked to create opportunities for herself but she was more than willing to drop dimes to her teammates. Defensively Kelly is a good on-ball and does a great job jumping into the passing lanes. Kelly’s game continues to grow the sky is the limit. Rising star.
Quickhitters
Myah Taylor – 2017 – 5-8 Guard – Olive Branch, MS – Smooth midrange shot…Very sweet stroke from beyond the arc…Good ball handling skills…Went right and left equally well… Very athletic and finishes…strong in paint
Areanna Combs – 2016 – 5-11 Guard – Oklahoma City, OK – Long athletic and very scrappy at both ends…Good handles…Not afraid to attack…Excellent passer…Three point stroke…Solid defender…Huge upside
Tierra Wilson -2017 – 5-5 Guard – Winston Salem, NC –Great 3pt Shooter…Athletic frame…Explosive off the bounce…Great passer with excellent court vision…Good on ball defender…Good handles…Speedy
Bianca Jackson – 2017 – 5-10 Guard – Montgomery, AL. – Long and athletic…Great court vision…Solid on ball defender…Shoots well from 15-20 feet…Mature calmness…Ability to attack the paint…High basketball IQ
Naomi Van Nes – 2016 – 6-6 Center – Hamden, CT – Great length…Runs floor…Communicates well…Tough…Battles on the boards…Good foot work…Strong low post defense…Finishes in paint…Huge upside
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…Top 50 prospect
Tylia Gillespie – 2017 – 5-11 Guard – Norcross, GA – Smooth and athletic…Good handles…Has midrange jumper and three point range…Nice pull up off the dribble…Good defender
Tori Williams -2017 – 5-8 Point Guard – Boise, ID. – Handled the ball…Smooth hesitation dribble…Made good decisions…Smooth three point stroke…Scrappy player….Good on ball defender…Patient and composed…DI talent
Kasiyahna Kushkituah – 2017 – 6-4 Post – Austell, GA – Long and athletic…Runs the floor…solid low post game on both ends…Shot blocker…Top 5 talent
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
Cymone Goodrich -2017 – 5-10 Guard – Matteson, IL – Long athletic…Loves to attack..Good handles…Smooth finisher…Good on ball defender. ..Major DI prospect
Demeya Felder -2016- 5-6 Guard – Woodbridge, VA – College body…Attack with purpose…Great ball skills…Strokes the 3 ball…Finishes at the rack…Solid DI kid
Ayanna Clark – 2017 – 6-3 Post – Long Beach, CA -Power and finesse…Beast on Board…Nice low post moves…match up nightmare…Potential All-American
