Miami, Fla. — For the Fall Evaluation Period I decided to take my talents to South Beach and checkout the Miami Suns Team Showdown and the Stars Under the Sun Exposure Camp. Both events showcased a variety of talented players of all ages. Here are several players that caught my eye.
2013
Combo guards are a coach’s dream; they get to fill two needs with one scholarship. High profile Raigyne Moncrief, a 5-9 athletic speedy combo guard from Fort Lauderdale, Florida was up to her usual tricks. Moncrief showed why she is considered to be one of the best guards in the 2013 class. She used her killer crossover coupled with her explosive first step to attack the paint looking to score or dish to slashing teammates. Moncrief relied on her speed and quickness to get out and finish on the break while weaving in and out of traffic handling the rock equally with both hands. Moncrief also showed that she can consistently stroke the mid-range jumper as well as be a threat from beyond the arc forcing opponents to choose their poison. Moncrief showed the ability to translate that same speed and athleticism to pay great dividends defensively as well forcing turnovers and cashing in on the other end. Moncrief is a top notch point guard with a big time game.
2014
Every team needs a quality floor general and point guard Haley Clark of Orlando, Florida demonstrated a stellar all-around game. Clark likes to attack off the dribble with either hand and looks to create contact as she finishs in traffic. She also showed the willingness to manufacturer her shot by attacking off the bounce but was just as comfortable draining the spot up jumper or three point efforts. Clark did a great job of pushing the ball up the floor on both made and missed baskets. She played aggressive at both ends of the court and showed a knack for being around the ball. She dropped several timely dimes at crunch time as well. At 5-9 she rebounds well for her position and has all the tools to be a big time point guard. Clark already has BCS offers on the table.
Khale’ann Cardon-Goudreau, a 6-3 guard/wing Canadian attending IMG Academy in the Sunshine State opened up several eyes this weekend. She battled with some of the best players in the country and more than held her own. Cardon-Goudreau rebounded effectively and defended well including blocking several shots. She’s a consistent threat from beyond the arc and she can play with her back to the rim as well. The versatile threat finishes well in the paint and has a nice step back jumper from midrange. Cardon-Goudreau handles the ball competently for her size, sees the floor and is a good passer. In transition she runs the floor well with or without the ball in her hands. In a word she is a competitor. Cardon-Goudreau is a BCS caliber prospect. Keep your eyes on her, you won’t regret it.
Every coach in America is looking for the prototypical basketball player. Well look no further than IMG Academy’s 6-3 Audrey-Ann Cardon-Goudreau. Audrey-Ann the twin sister to previously mentioned Khale’ann. Both are built much like WNBA and former Tennessee Lady Vol standout Sidney Spencer and fortunately for Audrey-Ann, the comparisons don’t stop there. Audrey-Ann’s game resembles a younger version of Spencer’s. She ran the floor extremely well, showed the ability to defend on the perimeter as well as in the post. Offensively she played well on the wing stroking several jumpers out to 18 feet and handled the ball like a veteran guard attacking off the dribble. She also has a nice low post game including a smooth reverse pivot baby hook. Audrey-Ann is a very athletic and multidimensional player. Expect BCS coaches to line up to sign her and her twin sister in a package deal.
Atlanta Dream star Lindsey Harding is the visual image that I have when I watch 5-6 Taryn Griffey from Orlando, Florida. Griffey showcased all of the attributes that I saw in an earlier viewing. Griffey used her blazing speed, quickness and jumping ability to blow past opposing defenders and finish at the rim against bigger stronger players. Despites Griffey’s size she finds a way to score and create for her team much like a young Harding. Griffey has added muscle and a consistent 3 point stroke to go with her excellent command of the dribble which she uses to attack the basket with either hand. She also has very good court vision and a high level basketball IQ. She’s at her best when she pushs the ball and gets out in front of defense and once she does, no one is going to catch her.
Keyanna Harris, a 5-foot-11 wing from Rivers Beach, Florida, appeared at times to be playing the point forward position while hinting at the ability to play multiple positions. She’s a good ball handler and passer while making good decisions versus pressure defense. Harris is extremely athletic and has good command of her long athletic frame. She likes to create off the dribble and has the ability to finish in the paint. She also runs the floor extremely well and finishes off the fast break. Harris is a good leaper, a very good on-ball defender and a top notch helpside rotation. The ability and effort are there to rebound well at both ends of the floor. Harris must develop a consistent jump shot, which should come in time as her shooting mechanics are fundamentally sound. Harris is a mid to high prospect.
2015
It’s always fun to watch a shooter knock down shots from long range and Ocoee, Florida native Destinee Walker has a sweet stroke from behind the arc. Walker is feisty and crafty and finds a way to get her shot off. She stroked multiple treys. Walker finished well off the break; attacked the rim; and either finished or dropped dimes to her teammates. The 5-10 guard also displayed a nice mid-range touch. Defensively, she played aggressive and physical on ball. Walker’s game has BCS potential written all over it.
Orlando, Flordia native Angela Jernigan, a 5-foot-8 speedy guard, loves to push the ball and get out into the open court where she has great vision. She likes to penetrate and attack off the dribble, looking to score or dish to the open teammate. Jernigan is a great passer and clutch scorer. She is a solid combo guard that defends extremely well. Down the road she’ll need to become a more consistent shooter from mid-range and beyond the arc. Jernigan has all the tools to be a BCS prospect and is worth keeping your eye one.
Long and rangy, 6-4 Beatrice Mompremier of Miami, Florida patrolled the paint producing several block shots and for good measure altered countless others. Mompremier’s presence and intimidation factored greatly in Team Fowles defensive pressure. Defensively, she’s a disruptive force throughout the game. However, her offensive skill set hasn’t caught up with her defensive prowess as of yet. Once Mompremier’s ball skills and post moves matche her defensive game, watch out. She needs to further develop her low post game and increasing her overall strength would go a long way in that department. Mompremier is an intriguing prospect with a huge upside.
2016
I always enjoy watching athletic young post prospects and 6-3 Naporsha Wright definitely fits the bill. Wright banged down low but ran the floor like a guard. I was impressed with her toughness and athletic ability. There’s a solid frame and college body and she didn’t shy away from contact. Wright finished well in the paint and used her long arms to rebound effectively. Wright has a nice touch around the rim and a smooth face up game. She played with a lot of emotion as she attacked the boards with reckless abandon. Wright needs to further develop her footwork and agility to take her post game further. She defended quite well and with a lot of effort in the paint. Her game is still evolving definitely worth watching.
If you’re in need of an athletic interior player that plays hard and hustles then the 6-3 Tyana Williams from Miami, Florida is your prospect. She has a long athletic body with an extended reach that takes up space in the lane. Williams plays a very aggressive game at both ends of the court. She has a nice low-post attack and finishes well in the paint or gets to the line where she is a consistent free-throw shooter. She also showed that she has a smooth face-up game. Williams used those long arms and good leaping ability to dominant the boards. Defensively she defended the low post and perimeter efficiently with a fearless and reckless abandon while adding several blocked shots. Williams plays a very mature game and is an excellent young prospect.
2017
Chelsie Hall, a 5-3 point guard with the Miami Suns Larkin, played impressively while leading her team by attacking at both ends. There’s plenty of speed and quickness and she showed excellent command of her dribble plus awareness of the floor. She also has nice touch from behind the arc and a floater in traffic that is equally a threat. Hall needs to add strength to her small frame and continue to develop her all-around game.
