Suwanee, Ga.—In an era where tournaments dominate the non-scholastic basketball landscape it’s nice every once in a while to check out the talent at an individual event. Additionally, it’s good to know that the participating athletes are getting some skill instruction as well as an opportunity to put those fundamentals into action come game time. Last weekend, for the fourth consecutive year, the EBA Super 64 brought together 240 athletes from 29 states ranging from rising seniors all the way down to the class of 2019. Hosted at the Suwanee Spots Academy just north of Atlanta, a few “name” prospects were on hand as well as quite a bit of young talent that’s destined to make a splash this summer. Here are some of the individuals who had moments that caught our eyes.
Older Division
Not many guards fit the bill as “do it all” threats but Rachel Bell comes awful close. The lean 5-9 native of Cumberland Furnace, Tennessee has long been on the radar among the upper tier 2014 perimeter players but continues to sharpen and refine her already extensive skill set. The ability to penetrate is there and she handles it in transition with the best of them but more often than not you would want her on the receiving end of entry passes rather than making them. Over the weekend she highlighted her ability to score off the dribble from deeper on the perimeter. Time and again she created separation with an array of moves and connected with a quick release and textbook form.
Assertive and aggressive forwards are a commodity among recruiters and ones who embrace physical play can almost write their own ticket to the next level. We’ve seen Dekeiya Cohen multiple times over the last few years and each time out she impresses more. At 6-1 she’s got a solid build, good strength and a willingness to use them at either end of the floor. There’s a relentless approach to her play and her efficiency and productivity continue to rise. She’s creating more of her own opportunities and getting good looks at the rim as a result. The Charleston, South Carolina product also hits the boards with a passion that is challenging to find in a prospect, let alone teach.
Despite an early commitment to Duke, Erin Mathias has been a work in progress and now as she prepares to enter her senior year may be on the edge of putting it all together and making a statement. The 6-4 Pittsburg, Pennsylvania native has the size and frame that all recruiters covet and there even appears to be the potential for some additional growth. She works at her play plus it’s obvious she’s been well coached and put in the repetitions. That being said there still is need for greater consistency in her ability to finish around the rim. She showed off some good moves on the catch but the return on that effort will have to evolve. One aspect that may be underestimated with Mathias is her ability get off the floor and make plays at rim level. Potential and reality are coming together.
From the time we first got a look at Gabbi Ortiz way back in eighth grade the 5-6 point guard has played a game that has her solidly among the floor leaders in the 2014 class. Now as she moves into her final season of club and scholastic basketball she appears primed to stake a claim as one of the most productive. With the ball in her hands on the break or in halfcourt settings she’s constantly on the attack and will exploit any defensive letdowns or mistakes. Her ability to read the floor isn’t just efficient in the results but also in the ability to make those reads quickly. The Racine, Wisconsin native is a versatile scorer in her own right but just as content to create better options for teammates. Playing with a colligate level maturity she’s mastered the use of both a change of speed and change of direction on par with anyone on the high school level.
Stephanie Watts of Monroe, North Carolina appears to be coming into her own with the club season on the horizon. The 2015 5-10 wing/guard has a lean build that she combines with some smooth, fluid athleticism. Her first step gets her past defenders and there are no reservations about taking it deep in traffic. Watts uses a hesitation dribble that is hard for opponents to resist and stay in their stance. The acceleration she uses once they come up leaves them standing and allows her to create scoring options. Problem is that the best ones aren’t always her own and she’ll need to make better choices on when to put it up and when to give it up.
It’s hard not to be impressed by 6-1 2016 swing player Erin Whalen. At first look you think small forward but keep watching and you’ll see the ballhandling and instincts marking her future on the wing. Active both with and without the ball she’s a factor in transition or the halfcourt. Her size and build comes with some deceiving speed and mobility which allows her to be effective on the other end of the floor as well. The biggest red flag at this point would be her perimeter shot. Simply put, it doesn’t go hand in hand with the rest of her skills and will need some serious attention to keep defenders honest and allow her to make the most of the her attack.
Quickhitters From the Older Division
Kyla Allison – 5-9 – 2016 Guard – Orlando, Florida – Attacking, strong power guard with lots of tools including a reliable pull up.
Imani Atkinson – 5-10 – 2014 Guard – Greensboro, North Carolina – Slashing wing/guard with impressive individual skills.
Alexis Carter – 5-6 – 2014 Point Guard – Tigard, Oregon – Skilled point that reads the floor and can knock down her own looks.
Taryn McCutcheon – 5-5 – 2016 Point Guard – Washington, West Virginia – Small but strong and multi-talented point guard that makes play after play (Think young Tammi Reiss)
Younger Division
One look at 5-11 Blair Green and it’s obvious that she’s got plenty of growth still in front of her. Add in an impressive and advanced skill set for a 2018 prospect and it’s no surprise that she’s already making a name for herself among her peers. The ability is there to create off the dribble and making the Middlesboro, Kentucky resident even more effective is that she has a great concept of the game aiding her shot and passing decisions. Solid form is in place from the perimeter and she’s more than willing to cut effectively to free herself up on the wing or in the paint.
Easily the most dynamic performer among the younger group in Suwanee was Wylie, Texas’s Nyah Green. As a 2019 guard, she already stands 5-10 but still has the lean build you would expect out of someone just finishing sixth grade. Her ballhandling skills are well honed and allow her to create penetration or set up a step back that challenges defenders. On the drive she can take it to the rim but has a high rising floater that should keep rotating bigs pulling out their hair. Plenty of range is there and she connected from behind the arch on multiple occasions. Just for good measure, she made several eye catching passes and demonstrated an ability to play without the ball.
The most effective interior performance among the future stars came from active 2017 forward Keondra McKinney of Knoxville, Tennessee. At 5-11 she’s physically mature and isn’t hesitant about taking advantage of her size and strength. Her post moves are quick and well-read for her age leading to plenty of finishes around the rim. McKinney demonstrated the ability to shoot the mid-range jumper and from the elbows she put it on the floor effectively to develop penetration. Coaches will love her active play on the defensive end as well as her quick feet. Lots of effort is there on the boards and her outlet passes are quick and down floor.
Hopkins, South Carolina is home to athletic 5-6 guard Kameron Roach. Physically strong, she’s attacking and adept at using contact as an asset in her offensive effort. Defenders who respond by giving her space will pay as a result of a smooth jumper that comes with a soft touch and plenty of range. She offered up some sharp passing on the break and off penetration that should keep both coaches and teammates smiling. On ball defensively she’s assertive but will need to pay some attention to one pass away and the weakside as she comes out of her stance on the pass.
Recruiters look for point guards with more than just skills. Running the show requires instincts and the ability to read the floor. A 2017 prospect embodying all those attributes is Daly Sullivan of South Bend, Indiana. At 5-8 she’s already got decent size and there’s solid athleticism in place. Her crossover is difficult to contain and keeps her match up off balance. She penetrates repeatedly and makes smart, well thought decisions with the ball as opposing defenses react. Good form is in place from the perimeter and a soft touch provides results.
If you like the kind of point guard who defines up tempo and pushes the ball off makes, misses and turnovers then keep an eye on 2017 Nichel Tampa out of Jonesboro, Georgia. A diminutive (and wishful) 5-5, she’s a whirlwind on offense utilizing sharp ball skills combined with exceptional speed and quickness. As she attacks she’s reading both her defender and those of her teammates often finding cracks in their armor. The pull up is consistent but the perimeter can challenge her strength and will need to evolve. On the ball defensively she’s harassing with both quick hands and feet.
Quickhitters From the Younger Group
Gabby Burris – 5-10 – 2017 Wing/Guard – Baltimore, Ohio – Smart and versatile with some solid fundamentals.
Lauren Davenport – 5-8 – 2018 Guard – Dallas, Texas – Decent length and some evolving skills made for some moments.
Mykea Gray – 5-5 – 2017 Point Guard – Washington, D.C. – Attacking point guard with impressive one on one skills.
Desiree Oliver – 5-6 – 2017 Point Guard – Verona, Pennsylvania – Stocky, strong and consistently penetrating point guard.
