NORCROSS, GA. – The 2012 Nike Skills Academy southern edition had over 60 players in the classes of 2013, 2014 and 2015.  Across two days and four sessions each put their best foot forward in a series of drills, breakdown work and a minimal amount of scrimmaging.  Multiple media representatives, evaluation services and lower division college coaches were on hand to take in the action.  Although their where several star like performances like 2015 Destine Walker putting on a shooting exhibition on Day 1 and 2013 Jasmine Rhodes’s scoring barrage in the Day 2 afternoon session, a few others offered up efforts worth taking note of and sharing.  After taking a week off, the final four regional sites will hold events May 12 and 13 to wrap up the 2012 series.

2013

Allisha Gray (Sandersville, Geo.) Washington City HS: Allisha Gray has college ready skills with a WNBA body while playing the game with an unbridled aggression. The 6-foot-0 guard was constantly on the attack and did so in a variety of ways.  She rebounded well and then proceeded to be a one man fast break pressuring the defense and going coast to coast on several occasions. When she wasn’t pushing the ball up the court Gray was running the floor like a world class sprinter. In the half court she was attacking off the dribble, knocking down spot up treys or posting up perimeter defenders down on the block.  She showed that she has a nice mid range jump shot to go along with her well proven pull up and long ball.  Gray used her powerful frame to absorb contact and finish consistently deep in the paint. Defensively, her ability to defend on the perimeter or in the low post was obvious and could be an asset at the next level.  The combination of finesse, power and skills makes Gray an impact player the day she walks on campus.

Ieshia Small (Miami, Fla,) Dr. Krop: The name may be Small but there’s nothing tiny about this 6-1 guard’s game. The combination of physical attributes, basketball skills and knack for making plays defines her game as “big” in every sense of the word. Small’s impact comes on both ends, possession after possession, and puts her in position to take over a game almost at will. She’s a superb combo guard and can play either position equally well. It’s hard not to take notice of the hustle that gives her the appearance of being all over the court. Small has shown that she can effectively knock down the midrange jumper or extend her range and stroke out to the three point line. At the same time she can create off the dribble for herself or improve her teammate’s looks. There’s some superior court vision that allows this playmaker to drop no look dimes and the instinct is there to know exactly when to push the tempo or slow it down.  Defensively Small’s very solid with the potential to match up at multiple positions. Additionally, it’s obvious she’s not afraid to put in the extra work.  Day two saw her in the gym early with Transition Trainer Nadine Domond at 6:45 A.M. prior to the scheduled 8:00A.M. start.

2014

Taryn Griffey (Windermere, Fla) Dr. Phillips: Los Angeles Clippers All Star Chris Paul or mini CP3 is the visual image that comes to mind when you watch this 5-6 dynamo play. Griffey showcased all of the attributes that have been on the display in the past and more.  She consistently used her blazing speed, quickness and jumping ability to blow past opposing defenders to finish at the rim.  As she’s matured she’s finishing more effectively against bigger and stronger players on penetration as well as helpside rotations that come her way.  Despites Griffey’s size she consistently finds a way to score or create options for her team and has added a three point stroke to her arsenal just for good measure.  That added dimension of the long range bomb gives Griffey a weapon, much like that of CP3, that’s going to keep defenders honest and give them nightmares at the same time.

Kaydra Duckett (Columbia, SC) Dreher HS: Kaydra Duckett, a 5-10 guard, attacked the paint repeatedly and got herself deep in traffic using a killer crossover and explosive first step.  While she finished well in the lane, Duckett also showed that she can stroke it from 15-20 feet or off a great pull up if the defense rotates. She uses her excellent ball control to mesmerize her opponents ultimately setting them up before she attacks.  Great court vision and excellent decision making shows her equally a threat distributing the ball as well as scoring it.  At the other end she’s an aggressive and active on ball defender.  Duckett has a college ready physique and more importantly a BCS caliber game.

Nasheema Oliver (Cordele, Geo.), Crisp County HS:  Standing 6-4 and enjoying a big frame, Nasheema Oliver qualifies as a big post in anyone’s book.  Plenty of versatility is evident as well. She rebounds effectively, does a good job of outletting the ball to start the break, and has great hands as well as a nice touch in the paint.  Oliver also showed that she has a nice midrange shot and can attack off the dribble.  She was focused and performed well in drills while demonstrating some nice footwork both running the break and in the halfcourt.  Defensively she’s very physical and isn’t afraid to mix things up to get a stop.  Oliver has good body control and agility for her size making her a well-established recruit on college radars already

2015

Asia Durr (Douglasville, Geo.), St. Pius X Catholic: If it’s true that college coaches like big point guards than they are going to love 5-10 Asia Durr.  The lefty is a young female version of Chicago Bulls all-star Derrick Rose.  She played with a motor that wouldn’t quit and at times it appeared there just might be two of her with the number of plays she was making on the floor.  Durr showed off her well rounded game on the heels of an explosive first step that she used to get to the rack against all comers. Her ballhandling skills and super nice spin move to score in the paint are a challenge for any opponent to contain. The jumper has a consistent and visually soft touch from 10 feet all the way out to 22. She rebounded surprisingly well for a point guard and elevated to snag a few at their highest point. Defensively, Durr creates havoc for opposing players by jumping into the passing lanes for both tips and touches ultimately converted by herself or her teammates in transition. She plays a very mature game and is an excellent young prospect with plenty more promise to come.

Nikki McDonald (Norcross, Geo.), Wesleyan School: The movie The Perfect Storm comes to mind when you watch Nikki McDonald go to work on the floor. The right combination of things comes together for her at just the right time making the 6-0 wing a handful for opposing teams.  McDonald’s size and basketball aptitude were on full display this past weekend in Norcross. The multitude of drills provided plenty of opportunity to see the vast array and very deep set of skills that are at her disposal. She created off the dribble and was effective in traffic both on the shot or pass.  She knocked down multiple treys in the 5 on 5 sessions but consistency will still have to come to make her game more complete.  Defensively she made plays while being aggressive on and off the ball.  Continued development will assure that scouting reports will include a storm warning about this talented prospect.