AUGUSTA, Ga. – After taking a year’s hiatus Nike brought back the Nike Skills Academy. Instead of multiple regional sites this year’s NSA was a certified evaluation event featuring 57 rising 9th graders players from the 32 Nike Girls EYBL teams. Over the course of three days the players were challenged with drills and skill work by the training staff that included former NBA player Dee Brown and media analyst Debbie Antonelli. On the last day the players were given a chance to put the skills they worked into use during the 5-on-5 scrimmage session. Some players did struggle with the concepts that the coaches were trying to enforce, especially when it came playing team basketball. Young players need to understand that just because you are participating in a showcase event doesn’t mean that you have to shoot the ball every time it touches your hands. Give credit to the NSA staff for stopping play and giving a quick lecture about sharing the ball and executing the sets they were taught.
One player who had no problem executing the concepts was Georgia Metros point guard Jenna Brown. She has a high basketball IQ, which was evident by the way she took command of her squad and directed the action on the guard. At 5-9 she is quick and proficient dribbling with both hands and can create for herself and others. Brown’s game is very mature plus she is patient and is always looking for ways to exploit the defense. She definitely has the physical and mental tools to be a lead guard at the next level. Robbi Allen from the Carolina Flames was another impressive point guard. She is strong scorer, who can play through contact and not get rattled. Allen is an outstanding on ball defender who is hard to get past because she is laterally explosive.
Diamond Battles from Essence was comfortable at either guard position. She excelled in transition were she likes to push the ball at full speed. The 5-8 Battles has a quick crossover which she uses to get into the middle of the defense where she was able to deliver a few sharp passes. NJ Sparks Danielle Robinson continues to show growth in her overall game. She can get to the basket any time she wants to but now is finishing better and being more selective with her approach. Aannah Interrante from Mid West Elite and Keely Morrow from Kentucky Premier both had solid performances showing the ability to knock down mid and long range shots.
North Tartan’s Carmen Backes is a big wing at 6 feet with a solid frame. She likes to attack the baseline and can finish at the rim. Kennedi Shorts from the Cal Sparks is long and explosive at 5-10. She’s still raw but she hustles and gets her hands on the ball. Sydney Jones is a 5-11 forward from the Miami Suns and stood out defensively. She is quick enough to defend the perimeter and has the physicality to mix it up in the paint.
Showcase events are tough for post players because they have a hard time getting the ball, but players like Cal Sparks forward Sophia Carroll were able show that they have real skills in the paint. At 6-0 feet Carroll excels in pick and roll situations. She can also face up and score from the pinch plus is a tough rebounder who understands the importance of securing the ball and keeping it high. Olivia Owens, a true center at 6-3 from Albany City Rocks, got better during the session. Owens showed off some nice reverse pivot moves and became more vocal calling for the ball.
