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. Krossover Classic and the birthplace of the Civil Rights movement Montgomery at the MLK Day BallN Prep Classic, we witness some of the top talent out of Alabama and Georgia ball out. The skill and talent levels were off the charts. Coaches from the Power 5 and several mid major conferences were in the building. Special shout out to Coach Reed Sutton and Faulkner University for providing the perfect venue and atmosphere to showcase some the nation’s finest prospects. Several players from both events caught our attention and are listed below along with some quick hitters.
One of the best players in the gym was 2016 Jasmine Walker. Where do we start with the 6-3 post out Jefferson Davis HS in Montgomery, Ala? There are so many pluses to her game. Walker is so smooth and is a poster child for the stretch four positions. She is a knock down shooter from anywhere on the court, she handles the rock, works of the dribble in half court, runs the floor well, finishes on the break, rebounds, and plays with her back to the basket. Did we miss anything? Oh yea she is active on defense. Saturday we saw Walker single handily dribble through a press, shoot a reverse scoop layup on the break, and hit a step back three with a defender in her face. How many 6-3 post players, boy or girl can do all those things? Pretty sure most D1 schools have room on their roster for a highly skilled post.
Everyone loves a good fight. We had the pleasure of watching a great matchup Jeff Davis’ 2016 6-3 Jasmine Walker versus St. Francis (Georgia Class A) featuring 6-3 sophomore Kasiyahna Kushkituah. The 6-3 Kushkituah has a long athletic build, long arms nice wing span. She defended the post like a lioness protecting her cubs. The 2017 prospect was blocking shots and battling for every rebound. Additionally, she ran the floor well, and showed ability to finish in paint with either hand. Kushkituah, despite early foul trouble, did an excellent job battling in the paint against Walker and demonstrating that she deserves to be considered amongst the best in a talent laden 2017 class. With added strength and continued development Kushkituah will be one of the most sought after players in her class.
The Krossover Classic was held at Archer HS (Georgia) home of 2017 6-2 post Autumn Newby, so you know she had to show out. The crazy athletic and long Newby is super active. Autumn makes it extremely tough on post players that have to guard her because of her ability to run the court. Her skill level and basketball IQ is off the charts. She is a good passer, plays well with her back to the basket, and has really good touch around the rim. Autumn is mid-high D1 prospect that will get better and better as the years pass.
If you’re looking for an athletic all-around player that plays the game the way it is supposed to be played, then 6-2 junior Kaitlyn Rogers, Wenonah HS out of Birmingham, Ala is your prospect. She showed a great deal of toughness playing with a heavily wrapped finger that requires surgery but Rogers refused to have it and is willing to play through the pain. She has a solid body with long arms that take up space in the lane and was the opposing coach worst nightmare at the back of Wenonah’s full court press with numerous steals. Rogers plays a very aggressive game at both ends of the court. She has a nice low-post game and finishes well in the paint or gets to the line where she is a good free-throw shooter. Rogers also showed that she has a smooth face-up game and is not afraid to put the ball on the floor. She used her long arms and good leaping ability to dominant the boards and push the ball up the floor. Defensively, Rogers defended the low post and perimeter extremely well with a fearless, reckless abandon, blocking several shots. Rogers has a tremendous upside a high major caliber prospect.
The dynamic duo of 2017 5-11 guard Tylia Gillespie and 2017 5-7 guard Taylor Mason was fun to watch. Opposing coaches are not looking forward to facing Norcross HS (Georgia) over the next couple of years. Always love watching players that have a passion for the game like Tylia and Taylor. Gillespie has swag about her and doesn’t mind doing the dirty work. Combine that intensity with her skill set, it spells trouble for the opposition. Tylia puts in work inside and out. Her athleticism and physicality allows her to finish in the paint, plus she can shoot it from deep. Taylor is just as physical as Gillespie. She controls the tempo and can go from zero to one hundred real quick. She is a crafty smart guard that can play in any system. Both Gillespie and Mason’s game will transition well to D1 basketball.
Wenonah HS (Alabama) showcased two young guns that turned heads on Saturday. 2017 5-7 point guard Jayla Morrow played well. Morrow has all of the characteristics and traits of a great point guard. Jayla was involved in a lot of the points scored by Wenonah on Saturday with the pass and her ability to create for herself. Morrow also sets the tone on the defense end as well. 2017 6-0 wing Alexus Dye showed off her athletic ability on Saturday as well. The long and dangly Dye used her good vertical to rebound and finish in the pain. She showed great hands and touch around the basket. Alexus hasn’t come close to maximizing her potential. When she does, look out. Wenonah’s future is bright.
There was nothing innocent about the monster games of Holy Innocents (Georgia) 2017 5-8 guard Khayla Pointer and 2016 6-2 wing Erica Cassell. In fact it’s kind of scary. Khayla’s speed with the ball in her hand is second to none. Her ability to have the ball on a string while moving so fast is silly. It allows her to get to the bucket and finish at will. On defense Pointer plays the passing lanes well and uses her speed to shoot the gaps. Cassell is a perfect combination of physicality and finesse. She understands angles and positioning and always finds herself in the right spot to get buckets. Erica has a great feel for the game and can pick apart a defense with her passing and ability to step out and shoot.
Robert E. Lee (Alabama) unsigned senior Areleatha Gipson, the 5-6 cat-quick, ultra speedy guard played a stellar all-around game. Gipson likes to attack off the dribble, with either hand, looking to create contact and finish in traffic. She also showed the willingness to manufacturer her shot by attacking off the bounce as well as consistently draining the spot up jumper and three pointers. Gipson did a great job of pushing the ball up the floor on made and missed baskets. When the other team made a run to cut into the Lady Generals lead, Gipson calmly drained several big buckets and converted back-to-back steals into points, putting the game out of reach. Gipson played aggressive at both end of the court and has a knack for being around the ball. She dropped several timely dimes in crunch time as well. She rebounds well for her position. Gipson has all the tools to be a big time point guard. Gipson has mid to high major potential written all over her game.
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.
Looking for an athletic 6-3 forward that plays the game the way it is supposed to be played? If so, Collins Hill (Georgia) Jada Rice is your prospect. She has a long athletic body with long arms while taking up space in the lane. Rice plays a very aggressive game at both ends of the court. The freshman 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 running the floor extremely well. The long arms and good leaping ability helped her to dominate the boards. Defensively, Rice defended both the low post and showed flashes on the perimeter as well using a reckless abandon while contesting several shots and scrapping for loose balls. She has huge upside with Major DI potential. Continue to watch.
Jeff Davis’ (Alabama) 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 5-11 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 sophomore, Jackson has a mature game and should be consider among the best in the country regardless of class.
Standing out among that group might be a challenge but 2017 6-0 forward Maya Dodson from St. Francis (Georgia) offered up some play that set her apart from the crowd. Explosive and long and wiry, she has the tools to make plays at both ends and the capacity to do so dramatically. Offensively she’s active both roaming the high post and slashing in the paint. The ability is there to finish around the rim and there’s a jump hook that will give any defender a headache or a seat on their bench. If she’s not the outlet she gets out and runs the floor with the guards challenging her match up to keep up with her. Defensively she’s a factor using her wing span to clog up the paint and creating havoc on the perimeter. Dodson has a spring to her steps; she’s a presence on the glass at both ends and could be one of the top rebounders in her class. Dodson is just scratching the surface she has the tools to something special.
We are always on the lookout for sleeper prospects and Jeff Davis’ (Alabama) 6-1 junior Kayla Jackson fits the bill. She has the chance to be just what everybody seems to be looking for. Jackson has a long athletic body. She rebounds the ball at highest point, runs the floor, finishes well in the paint and can defend multiple positions. Jackson has a nice midrange shot plus a low post and face up game. She has an excellent motor with the potential to be a dominate force at both ends. Jackson left the BallN Powher Prep Invitational with several mid major offers. Expect more to come.
It’s always good to watch good guard play and Robert E. Lee (Alabama) combo guard junior Tykeria Williams caught our attention. At 5-6 she’s athletic and does a great job attacking and creating off the bounce. Williams finishes at the rim and has a nice midrange jumper but is a sniper from beyond the arc. She shot lights out this past weekend draining multiple 3pt field goals. Williams did a great job navigating through full court pressure and involves her teammates. Being a solid on ball defender makes it all worth watching. She plays with a quiet confidence and with continued development has a chance to be a mid to high major recruit.
Quickhitters
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…Alabama Signee
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 – Unsigned 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
The story was written with contributions by Larry Curry of BallN Prep. Follow him on twitter @LCBallNPrep
