CHICAGO, Ill.—The Nike Chicago tournament took over McCormick Place Convention Center with 43 courts and 466 teams. It was also the 2nd round of bracket play for the Nike EYBL where several teams had to have significant wins to make it to Nike Nationals in Augusta at the end of the month. The game between then undefeated Texas United and North Tartan was one of the highlights of the tournament, especially since Arike Ogunbowale and Lauren Cox had just won a Gold Medal together at the FIBA 17u Championship earlier in the week. North Tartan won in a tight game and remains one of two undefeated EYBL teams. Here’s a look on a few players that stood out during the EYBL tournament:
It’s always enjoyable to watch young prospects display a tremendous amount of skill at an early age and DFW T-Jack 2018 6 foot 0 guard Zarielle Green, a native of Dallas, Texas, did just that. Green showed the ability to attack off the bounce as well as knock down the spot jumper. She has a nice stroke that extends out beyond the three point arc. She rebounds extremely well and is a solid defender that isn’t afraid to mix it up versus taller opponents. Really love her energy level plays every position like it’s her last. With continued development Green’s game has major DI written all over it.
Every college program in the nation is always on the lookout out for a quality big and 6-4 Cierra Johnson, who hails from Duncanville, Texas and plays DFW T-Jack, has the chance to be just what they are looking for. Johnson, a 2016, has a college body, rebounds the ball at highest point and finishes well in the paint. She’ll need to further develop her midrange shot and low post face up game but the possibilities are very evident. Johnson has the potential to be a force at both ends. Tremendous upside.
It’s always good to watch good perimeter play and Epiphanny Prince Elite 2015 combo guard Alexia Douglas of Bay Shore, New York caught my attention. The 5-8 guard is very athletic and does a great job attacking and creating off the bounce. Douglas finishes at the rim but also has a nice midrange jumper as well as a sweet three point stroke. She does an excellent job involving her teammates and is a solid on ball defender. Douglas should fit in nicely at Fordham.
Fresh off winning her third gold medal with Team USA 2015 5-9 Arike “Baby Mamba” Ogunbowale played extremely well. Ogunbowale, from Milwaukee, Wisconsin 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. Ogunbowale used her speed and quickness to get out and finish off the break while weaving in and out of traffic handling the rock equally well with both hands. She also showed that she can consistently stroke the midrange jumper as well as be a threat from beyond the arc. Ogunbowale 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. Ogunbowale recently released her Top 5 in alphabetic order Louisville, Notre Dame, Ohio State, UCLA and Wisconsin. Will be interesting to see where The Baby Mamba lands.
If you’re looking for an athletic all-around player that plays the game the way it is supposed to be played, then the 2015 6-0 Sam Trammel is your prospect. She has a solid body with long arms that take up space in the lane. Trammel 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. Trammel also showed that she has a smooth face-up game as well being a good passer and is unselfish almost to a fault. She used her long arms and good leaping ability to dominant the boards and push the ball up the floor. Defensively, Trammel defended the low post and perimeter extremely well with a fearless, reckless abandon, contesting several shots and scrapping for loose balls. Trammel has a tremendous upside and simply put is a coach’s dream.
Every coach worldwide loves a player that competes on every play, is fundamentally sound, defends well and loves to attack at both ends. A native of Chesterfield, Virginia Megan Walker brings all of these things to the table and more for her BWS: 16U club. Walker showed the ability to knock down the midrange jumper and was a sniper from behind the arc. The 2017 6-1 Walker displayed that she is a scoring machine that loves to attack the paint and finish in traffic. She handles the ball well with either hand and is a very good passer with nice speed and quickness. She also showed that she is a solid on ball defender with sound principals and concepts. Walker has a sweet crossover and dribble hesitation move that’s not meant to be flashy but simply gets the job done. Walker has a long athletic frame with big time game potential and she is worthy of being mentioned at the top of her class.
Brittany Ward, the 2015 6-1 Indianapolis, Indiana native, has the prototypical college body for a forward. Ward is smooth and extremely athletic with the ability to handle the rock like a guard. She is a good passer with great court vision and runs the floor very well. Ward loves to get out in front of the fast break and finished at the rim several times while absorbing contact with her solid frame. Ward really attacks the glass and has the ability to dominate the boards at both ends. There’s also has a nice jumper with range out to 17 feet in place. She is a solid defender and not afraid to mix things up with opponents. All the above attributes had several college scouts salivating while watching Ward play. She is current mulling over several major DI offers.
After an impressive showing at the USA Basketball 17U trials, 2016 Kianna Ray continues to improve and build on her game. She is a dynamic athlete who can score with ease from anywhere on the court. Ray is a standout defender, she uses her length to close out on shooters and makes an effort to be in proper weak side position in man to man defensive sets. As a wing player, she is the perfect combination of style and substance and continues to display the skills to be an impact player in a major DI program.
DFW’s Chennedy Carter is making her name for herself in the EYBL as one of the tooghest ball handlers. Her crossover dribble and the ability to change direction moving at full speed are skill that most guards don’t master at her experience level. She has a college frame combined with explosive speed that allow her to play aggressively on both sides of the ball. Carter has a huge upside and is definitely a player to keep an on in the 2017 class.
2017 Danae Miller has all the tools that a college coach will want in a point guard. She is a true facilitator who can run an offensive in transition or half court. She can find seams in the defense and split defender which allow her to get the ball to her teammates in scoring position. Miller has a nice floater and despite her slight frame isn’t afraid to take the ball to the basket. She is a dynamic on ball defender, leading Cal Swish in steals with 17 during tournament play.
Effortless is the adjective that best describes Notre Dame commit Ali Patberg’s game, she is one of the most well-rounded guards in the country. She keeps the defense honest because she understands how to create space and get her shot off while being closely defended. Patburg doesn’t need the ball to have an impact on the game and that fits perfectly with the how the Indy Gym Rats play as a team.
2016 guard Kysre Gondrezick is starting to come into her own as her game matures. She is a true combo guard who can create scoring opportunities for teammates or herself within the flow of the offense. Shooting 50 percent from beyond the arc, Gondrezick is currently the most proficient 3 point shooter in EYBL. With an injury to PG Teniya Page, she showed that can step up and be a leader for Midwest Elite as they prepare for Nike Nationals.
