CHICAGO, Ill.—While Nike Nationals and the EYBL might have been the center of attention in Chicago the sheer number of teams on hand for the Nike Tournament of Champions assured that there was talent wall to wall. And with the largest setting ever in club basketball, those walls were a long way apart. Taking a “window shopping” approach would provide any evaluator, recruiter or fan a list of players to talk about again and again from the 48 divisions of play. While just the tip of the ice berg, in this follow up we take a look at just a few who caught our eye while wandering the floor of McCormick Place.
For a look back at Nike Nationals / EYBL images, results and stats, follow the link below to our earlier coverage.
http://www.bluestarmedia.org/2017-nike-eybl-nike-nationals-championship/
Julia Ayrault – 2019 – 6-1 – Guard – (Grosse Point Woods, MI – Michigan Mystics Ruh) – Big-time deadeye shooter showed off unlimited range with Maya Moore-style catch-and-shoot ability…Excellent size on perimeter allows her to lift shots over any defender….Dangerous off pindown actions
Kadaja Bailey – 2018 – 6-0 – Point Guard/Wing – (Long Beach, NY – New York City Heat White) – St. John’s commit is a big-time scorer who can play 1-3…Excellent ballhandler who sets up defender with multiple crossovers and hesitation moves…Long first step gives her blow-by ability…Has a knack for putting the ball in the hole…Outside shot is accurate but has a low release, which may need to be raised
Brianne Borcky – 2019 – 6-0 – Wing/Forward – (Garnet Valley, PA – Comets Githens/Genther) – Solid framed wing with slide-four ability…Like most Comets players, the ability to catch and shoot is highly refined…3 range with repeatable release…active on both ends of the floor…High IQ with next-level athleticism
Brianna Crutchfield – 2018 – 6-0 – Forward – (Frederick, MD – Germantown Lady Panthers 17U Elite) – Super active four plays hard on both ends and has a nose for the ball and a knack for finishing…Solid touch around rim, especially on right side of floor…Good north-south runner…ORB threat
Traynise Delaney – 2018 – 5-4 – Point guard – (Bronx, NY – Castle Lady Knights Christopher) – Quick point guard showcased excellent penetration ability and court vision…Plays low to floor and slips by multiple help-side defenders…Might be prone to being overpowered on the defensive end
Julia Fabozzi – 2020 – 6-1 – Forward – (Staten Island, NY – Exodus NYC Gold 16U) – Big, solid framed post prospect with advanced strength for her age…Still working on face up skills; needs to drop hips to attack on the floor…it’s over if she gets defender on back for deep seal…Promising
Rain Green – 2020 – 5-6 – Point Guard – (Baltimore, MD – Maryland Belles Howard-Franklin) – Solid framed point guard uses strength to fend off reaching defenders for rim attacks…good speed in open floor…Can make a living at free throw line by using good gather skills when challenging larger defenders…Very right-hand dominant
Jinda Guidinger – 2018 – 5-11 – Forward – (Pewaukee, WI – Wisconsin Lakers 11th White) – Rangy-framed forward was surprisingly most effective on low post catches…boxers footwork with her back to the basket allows her to keep defender sealed…Next level will depend on perimeter skill development
Lexi Held – 2018 – 5-9 – Point Guard – (Burlington, KY – KY Legacy Elite Piepho) – Ultra-competitive point guard has ability to equally score and set up teammates…Shoots deep 3 with tight release…Excellent in open floor…Shifty on drives and reacts to late help with dump offs and kick outs
Aziaha James – 2021 – 5-9 – Guard/Wing – (Virginia Beach, VA – BWSL McCray) – Electric, athletic attacker burned multiple defenders on excellent first step…Great body control allows her to spin around and evade helpside defenders…Must watch
Asianae Johnson – 2018 – 5-7 – Guard – (Brooklyn, NY – Gauchos 17U) – Absurd athleticism elicited oohs and aahs from spectators…off-the-charts hang-time on drives not only allows her to finish over bigger players but to get repeatedly fouled and live on the free throw line…Quick leaper; snags defensive boards off the rim and starts break…Fun to watch
Jayda Johnston – 2020 – 6-0 – Forward – (Roseville, MN – Minnesota Crossfire Elite 2019) – Face four with somewhat unorthodox but effective offensive game…Plays extremely hard and is not afraid to bang in the paint…3 range, though hitch in shot slows down release…Good feel for game
Teonna Key – 2021 – 6-2 – Wing/Forward – (Cary, NC – Carolina Flames 15 EYBL) – Insanely long lefthanded wing had college coaches drooling…Straight line driver with true midrange ability…Smooth, high release is impossible to contest with her length…Major player
Enas Nigatu – 2018 – 6-3 – Forward/Center – (Arlington, VA – Elevate Elite 11th National) – Big, worker post demonstrated good footwork, especially in face up situations…Works for deep seals and presents good target…Good touch on high-low passing….Solid
Chloe Rice – 2018 – 5-10 – Guard – (Marion, IA – Minnesota Fury 2018 Iowa) – Slight, lanky slasher was effective on rim attacks…Understands need to protect ball on drives to counteract thin frame…Excellent runner and not afraid to get floorburns
Saniya Rivers – 2021 – 5-10 – Wing – (Wilmington, NC – Carolina Flames 15 EYBL) – High-flyer drops out of the rafters when attacking the rim…Major hangtime…Athletic frame coupled with excellent body control makes her the real deal…Must watch
Whitney Sollom – 2020 – 6-3 – Forward – (Howell, MI – Michigan Mystics Ruh) – Pro-framed forward played like an incoming college player and not a rising high school sophomore…Extremely fluid athlete; long-striding runner and excellent leaper…Ball skills will continue to improve as she figures out her offensive kill zones…Major upside
Jalynn Spalding – 2018 – 5-11 – Wing – (Lawrenceville, NJ – Jersey Cardinals Coyle) – Long, lanky lefty wing brings poise and natural scoring ability…athletic on slashes to rim…three pointer is inconsistent due to knuckleball on release…Upside
Allison Thomas – 2018 – 6-2 – Center – (Olathe, KS – Kansas Elite Kane) – Big body space-eater moves defenders with raw physicality…uses strength and soft scoring touch off the glass to counteract general lack of leaping ability…ORB threat
Jaden Walker – 2019 – 5-9 – Wing – (New Freedom, PA – York Thunder Fancher) – Athletic, still raw wing has next-level impact potential with skill refinement…Elevates effortlessly off floor…Length and motor make her intriguing…Keep eye on
