COLUMBUS, Ohio— For years now anybody knowledgeable in the game of basketball understands that the name Ganon Baker is virtually synonymous with skill development. Professional players as well as college and scholastic athletes alike have benefited from the high energy, high intensity training that Baker provides between the lines. For the past three years Columbus has served as the setting for one of the first individual skill development academies of the off season coming just one week after Ohio and many other state tournaments conclude. This year 58 individuals represented 11 different states in the two day event held on the campus of Ohio Dominican University. In a contrast to past years, the 2012 roster was much younger featuring over 60 percent of the participants having three or more seasons of high school basketball still in front of them. With a focus on skill development, minimal time was spent in full court scrimmage but extensive evaluation was available in two on two and three on three scenarios offering a good look at some young and developing players. Here’s some thoughts on just a few of the participants who stood out.
Class of 2014
Easily the most recognizable and established prospect in the gym was 6-2 Lynee’ Belton of Clinton, Maryland. The promising forward already has USA Basketball Trials experience under her belt and is certainly no secret to college recruiters coast to coast. Strong and powerful, Belton continues to add diversity to her game in addition to ramping up the skills that already serve her so well. In both half and full court sets she demonstrated an ability to cut and run the floor in a manner that’s going to challenge even smaller, more agile defenders. Add to that her solidly established physical interior effort and you got match up problems from the tip. Even in specific skill sessions, ballhandling in particular, she was focused and intent on making the most of each rep. Point guard isn’t likely in her future but you’re going to see more and more work from the elbows including some sharp passing on reversals and out of doubles. Several drives revealed a better understanding and use of her lengthy first step as well as some solid reads as the help rotated her way. Defensively she continues to show the ability to match up down low and the mobility to be a factor on the top of a press. The combination of size, strength and agility are meeting sharpened skills and commitment. Keep watching closely.
Jasmine Carter made the trip up from Dacula, Georgia and showed why so many college assistants like to do their recruiting window shopping in the Peach State. At 5-8 she’s physically strong with both the speed and quickness that can make her effective on both ends of the floor. There’s a smooth and fluid aspect to her game that allows her to catch opponents off guard with changes in both acceleration and direction. Her first step is decisive and quick leaving a lot of defenders on their heels and calling for help. She’s much more effective with the ball in her hands than not and creates opportunities for both herself and her teammates. The vision is there to see the floor and she delivered a few needle threading passes off penetration as well as on ball screens. Her perimeter shot looks sound but came and went in terms of consistency throughout both drills and competitive settings. On ball defensively she’s got good lateral speed and shows no hesitancy in putting a body on the opposition when the need arises.
Making the trip to the Buckeye State from all the way over in Manassas, Va. was 5-10 combo guard Ariana Freeman. Quick and attacking, she was in constant motion running the lanes or handling it in transition. The same effort served her well in the halfcourt wearing her defender down possession by posession. On the catch she does a good job of reading the floor and made good decisions when options closed up in front of her. Her ballhandling and change of direction get her to the rim effectively but there’s an obvious preference to her right hand that opponents might exploit without some additional development of the left. She was able to knock down several jumpers both spotting up and off pull ups but the release does come off the shoulder to a degree. In traffic she navigates rotations like a tailback breaking away and is more than willing to take the hit and go to the line. Nice size and a persistent, attacking mentality give her a lot of tools and potential to develop and apply now and down the road.
Sierra Jones of Huntsville, Alabama is going to make you watch her. There are things she does well and some things that need some attention but you can count on her catching your eye and making plays. At 5-8 she’s got a solid and physically strong build. Lots of speed is there and the first step serves her well with the ball or in a stance defending a ball handler. Jones is very adept at reading the floor and creating both off the pass or the cut. She made some impressive reads leading to give and go options resulting in easy lay ups. On the break she delivered several down floor passes that Peyton Manning would have been proud of. In the halfcourt she penetrated consistently and made smart, efficient passes as well as took it to the rim herself when warranted. Without the ball there was a tendency to be less active and unsure but she was still quick to the boards when the shot goes up. On the ball defensively she’s focused and aggressive. She gets ahead and looks to turn her match up again and again. Jones has lots of tools that may be just the tip of the ice berg as she advances her game.
Class of 2015
One of the homegrown individuals that had some moments was Olivia Bower from Bowerstown, Ohio. Standing just short of 6-0, she provides plenty of size on the perimeter and presents an evolving skill set that suggests she may be there to stay. There’s still an awkward aspect to her game that comes and goes but at times things will smooth out into this fluid attack that gets her through traffic and to the rim. Off the dribble she’s able to create her own look with space but struggles in close quarters with opponents. She’s got her eyes up and reading both on the break and penetrating in the halfcourt demonstrating the ability to deliver the ball. Somewhat short on physical strength at this point, the lift she needs on her jumper to be consistent fades over the course of a workout but time and Mother Nature should address that. The same issue causes her some challenges defensively but her length allows her to compensate when matched up with smaller perimeter opponents.
One of those players that make you glance during drills but watch much, much closer when things go live is Blairsville, Pa.’s Chelsey Koren. Another guard with good size at a young age, she’s comfortable putting the ball on the floor in transition or working in halfcourt sets. At 5-10 she’s advanced for her age in the ability to navigate traffic and make choices as helpside comes her way both in terms of shots and passes. Her athletic ability is sound but not going to be the first thing you notice. Then again it isn’t something that should limit her in any way either. Koren is surprisingly fast with the ball in her hands and sets a good pace if the outlet comes her way. Her individual skills allow her to create against defenders with more lateral speed and she’s very cognizant of using her body to protect her efforts for someone who’s just heading into their sophomore year. There were moments of standing without the ball which may be due in part to minimal offensive structure available in a two day event. Well worth keeping an eye on.
From the Hoosier State and Indianapolis came forward Brittany Ward. Lean, long and active she was assertive in drills, breakdown sets and any live action. If they kept stats for constant movement this is your girl. With the ball she was able to create her own looks down low as well as from the high post. Off the cut she has the athleticism to set up and leave defenders with size or quickness standing. There are still times where she’ll need to temper her attack to avoid helpside and doubles but that should come with added experience and maturity. A lot of things that she does give indication that the perimeter might well be on her radar down the road. While obviously shorter than her listed 6-1, the ballhandling had its moments off the drive and a couple of passes indicated that vision and concepts are in place. On the defensive end this is the kind of player coaches love to work with. She’s got some size to match up with interior opponents but all the agility, speed and quickness to cause havoc in the backcourt or pressing situations. There are flashes of lots of tools but Ward may just be scratching the surface.
Class of 2016
One player who’s had plenty of exposure despite having not entered her freshman year yet is Raven James. This point guard from Upper Marlboro, Md. continues to show advances in her skill set and more depth to her understanding of the game. Listed wishfully at 5-5, the speed and quickness that you’ll notice first is still her calling card and allows for consistent penetration as well as an up tempo full court attack from the tip. Don’t let the diminutive size get confused with any other physical shortcoming. Strong and cut, she handles bumps, pushing and shoving well and more often than not exploits them with an explosive first step exit from the contact. Her form, stroke and range will necessitate quick and tight opposition close outs but more consistency will be needed down the road to keep defenders honest over the course of a game. Off the drive she delivered several well thought and efficient passes while even dropping a floater or two. Those elements will be essential over time as the sheer size advantage of the helpside coming her way will negate some of her own options. On ball she’s a quick and aggressive which may help as she deals with some mismatch scenarios that are sure to come her way.
