MONTGOMERY, Alabama – Martin Luther King Jr Holiday is a big weekend for basketball events across the nation we decided to split time in Atlanta, Ga. at the Kay Yow Girls Night Out and the birthplace of the Civil Rights movement Montgomery, AL at the MLK BallN Prep Classic. Several players from both events caught our attention and are listed below along with some quick hitters.
It’s always enjoyable to watch versatile prospects perform and 2017 6 foot 2 guard-forward Tatyana Wyatt, who plays for Columbus HS (Georgia), did just that. Wyatt showed the ability to attack off the bounce and finish in the paint plus has a sweet stroke that extends out beyond the three point arc. She is long and athletic, runs the floor extremely well and is a solid defender that isn’t afraid to mix it up. Wyatt, with continued develop and added strength, has all the tools to be mid to high major DI prospect.
Courtney Lee is a crafty 5-6 point guard from Ramsay (Alabama) with a college ready frame, played extremely well. The 2017 prospect 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 create space to get off her shot in traffic. She also showed that she can consistently stroke the midrange jumper as well as be a threat from beyond the arc. Lee 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. Her standing is on the rise and with continued development continued development should only see interest rise.
Looking for an athletic 6-2 forward that plays the game the way it is supposed to be played? If so, Randolph Clay’s (Georgia) Kobi Thornton is your prospect. She has a solid body with long arms while taking up space in the lane. Thornton plays a very aggressive game at both ends of the court. The sophomore has a nice low-post game and finishes well in the paint while getting to the line often. She also showed a smooth face-up game as that includes being a good passer and the tools to push the ball up the floor. The long arms and good leaping ability helped her to dominate the boards . Defensively, Thornton defended both the low post and perimeter well using a reckless abandon while contesting several shots and scrapping for loose balls. A tremendous upside with Major DI potential.
Jeff Davis’ Ahyiona Vason is a feisty player that has all the intangibles that coaches love. The 5-4 point guard attacked the rim and either produced in the paint or dropped dimes to her teammates. The 2016 grad did a good job running the floor and finished well off the break. She also displayed a nice tear drop floater in traffic. Defensively, Vason did an excellent job jumping into the passing lanes as well as creating havoc defensively on perimeter. Simply put, she finds a way to make plays to help her team win. This is small guard with a big heart and a knack for making big plays.
It’s always good to watch good perimeter play and Brewbaker Tech’s (Alabama) Bianca Jackson kept our attention college coaches included. The 5-10 guard is very athletic and does a great job of attacking and creating off the bounce. Jackson finishes well at the rim but also has a smooth midrange jumper to go along with her sweet three point stroke. She does an excellent job involving her teammates and is a good on ball defender with a tremendous basketball IQ. Just a freshman, Jackson has a mature game and should be consider among the best in the country regardless of class.
Quickhitters
Areleatha Gipson – 2015 – 5-7 Guard – Lee HS – Montgomery, Ala. – Solid, athletic and very scrappy at both ends…Good handles…Not afraid to attack…Excellent passer…Three point stroke…Solid defender…Huge upside
Shaquara Wade – 2015 – 6-1 Guard – Huntsville HS – Huntsville, Ala. – Great length…Smooth and athletic…Runs the floor…Rebounds well…College body…Good handles..Strong defender and shot blocker…Attacks rack and finishes in traffic
Tatyanna Calhoun – 2015 – 6-2 Post – Carver HS – Montgomery, Ala. – Long arms…Battles..Great body…Rebounds well…Nice low post game…Finishes at the rack…Defends post
Nichel Tampa – 2017 – 5-5 Guard – St. Francis – Atlanta, Ga. – Good handles…Crisp passer…Sees the entire floor…Has midrange jumper and three point range…Nice pull up off the dribble…Good defender
Taja Cummings -2017 – 5-5 Point Guard – St. Francis Atlanta, Ga. – Handled the ball…Smooth hesitation dribble…Made good decisions…Three point stroke…Scrappy player….Good on ball defender…Patient and composed…Will only get better with time
Victoria Harvey – 2015 – 6-4 Post Stanhope HS, Stanhope, Ala. – Great length…Runs floor…Communicates well…Tough…Battles on the boards…Good foot work…Strong low post defense…Finishes in paint…Huge upside
Jasmine Walker – 2016 – 6-3 Forward – Jeff Davis HS – Montgomery, Ala. – College frame..Long and athletic…Runs the floor…Sweet stroke extends out to 19 feet…Smooth low post game…Rebounds on both ends…Top 15 prospect
