MASON, Ohio– The 13th Annual USJN Midwest Premiere had over 200 teams playing at four different sites while over 300 college coaches roamed the sidelines to evaluate the next promising generation of players. From day one players and teams made their names known early with their passion, energy and “beyond their years tenacity.” Many games were nail-biters where true endurance proved to be the determining factor for posting more W’s in the winner’s column. Consistent hustle, a locked-in passion for our sport, and cohesiveness provided a great reason to believe that the future of our game is brighter and brighter with each class.

For a list of all the participating teams, pool All Stars, college programs in attendance and more, follow the link below to the USJN post event page:

http://www.usjn.com/xtm_post_event_new.php?which=371

Here’s a quick look at some of the standouts in Mason on the opening days of the 2016 NCAA July Evaluation period.

Janelle Allen – 6-2 – 2020 – Forward – Illinois Elite 13 – Allen is a rim runner with great hands and a will to grab every rebound in her area. She has a solid back-to-basket game and will not hesitate to shoot a mid-range jumper. Allen often gets to the charity stripe and shows great form and poise to knock them down consistently.

KK Bransford – 5-7 – 2022 – Point Guard – Cincinnati’s Finest 14 – This Blue Star 30 member is a tenacious defender who can create at will and get to the rim. She will unselfishly pass to the open player for an easy layup after breaking down her defender. Bransford has very long arms for her size (With the potential to grow!) that allow her to get lots of tips or steals throughout the course of a game. Bransford is definitely going to be special.

Kayla Cooper – 6-0 – 2020 – Guard/Forward – Maryland Belles 2019 – This Blue Star 30 member is well beyond her years when it comes to efficient footwork and finishing with her back to the basket. Cooper is a good rebounder with a nose for the ball placing her in position to get easy put backs time after time.

Makayla Daniels – 5-8 – 2019 – Point Guard – Maryland Belles 2019 – Daniels is a true point guard who is aware of what’s going on around her at all times. She is very quick and efficient when incorporating her various levels of speed. She is a defensive specialist who will also get on the floor for 50/50 balls. Daniels has also shown her ability to attack the basket and finish over larger defenders. Her stock is rising quick.

AJ Davis – 6-1 – 2019 – Power Forward – Maryland Belles 2019 – Davis is a bright student on and off the court and has a solid build that cannot be moved when she gains position. She showed her ability to own the paint when attempting put backs with and through contact. Davis has a soft finish around the rim as well as a baby hook in her arsenal. She has the potential to be a true point forward for a major program in the years to come.

Vannessa Garrelts – 5-5 – 2018 – Point Guard – Elite National – Garrelts is LOCKED IN from the tip to the final  buzzer. She is a floor general and defensive stopper who possesses a high IQ.  She consistently passes on the dime to create wide-open baskets for her teammates. She will blow by defenders in transition and can shoot a pull up jumper from mid range clear out to the three point line.

Taylor Goss – 5-10 – 2021- Guard – Illinois Elite 13 – Goss has shown that she can handle the rock in transition while creating for herself and teammates. She is very aware and has a good understanding of the game while playing with consistent energy and toughness on both ends of the floor.

Mia Lakstigala – 5-11- 2018 – Guard – Illinois Rockets 17 – A quick guard that plays with levels of speed, Lakstigala moves through traffic to finish consistently at the rim. She is a three point shooter off the catch or dribble. The junior to be definitely stood out amongst her peers.

Taylor Mikesell – 5-9 – 2018 – Guard – Sports City U – Mikesell, also a USA team member, has a mid-range pull-up that can’t be stopped. Her athletic ability, smoothness and grit makes her a no brainer for the many BCS offers already on the table.

Abby Prohaska- 5-10 – 2018- Guard – Sports City U- Prohaska is a high profile USA Team member who has the heart and will to win at all cost. She is a game changer who locates the open man while setting up her defender for the kill from three, mid-range and at the rim.

Angel Reese – 6-0 – 2020 – Guard/Forward – Maryland Belles 2019 – Reese’s athleticism, ability to shoot the three, back to the basket play, face up attack, ability to alter shots as well as take the ball coast to coast qualifies her to be the complete package. Reese is also a member of the elite Blue Star 30 inaugural class.

Myriama Smith Traore – 6-2 – 2017 – Forward – Wisconsin Lakers 17 – Traore’s ability to rebound and connect for layups on baseball passes is only the tip of the iceberg of her talent. She can step out to the wing or take her defender to the block while finishing strong. Traore also can rebound, start the offense and shoot a pull up jumper off one or more dribbles. As a defender she is blocking shots, making deflections, and tallying steals.

Deja Terrell – 6-1 -2018 – Post – Team Pa. 15 – Terrell’s energy, intensity and drive to dominate the glass are three things you’ll see from first glance. With a solid and long frame, she will guard her man and over help on any penetration that comes into her area. It is clear that her goal is to OWN the glass on both ends. She has a Dennis Rodman mindset, heart and passion.

Kayana Traylor – 5-9 – 2018- Combo – Purdue commit – This lefty comes from a basketball family and it shows. Traylor has instincts you can’t teach and she proved it by taking her defenders to the block showcasing great back to basket footwork. She is a proven three point shooter and has a low to the ground explosive handle. Although Traylor is committed to Purdue, she has two younger sisters who played for the 7th grade national championship so the legacy will continue.

Rickie Woltman – 6-3 – 2019 – Forward/Post – Woltman’s wingspan and height are the perfect combination for success on both the offensive and defensive end. Rebounding comes natural and her back to the basket moves are at times unstoppable. Woltman’s awareness and athleticism allows her to be a great passer as well.

TREYS ALL DAY 

Kyndal Howe – 5-8 – 2020 – Combo –  Ohio Lady Hoops 13 – This lefty can knock down the three ball and has a quick, low-to-the ground handle with an instinctive passing ability.

Aannah Interrante – 6-0 – 2018 – Guard – Illinois Elite 15 – Quick release from three point range.

Gabbie Marshall – 5-9 – 2019 – Point Guard – Cincinnati Heat – Marshall is what you call “3 and D”. She is a pure shooter, a smart defender and has the athleticism and IQ that makes her the complete package.

Kate Pranger – 6-0 – 2018 – Guard – Missouri Blue Star 16 – Pranger’s height, athleticism and toughness makes this three point shooter a special player.

Brittany Welch – 6-0 – Guard – 2017 – Sky Diggs Elite – THREE POINT SHOOTER. This player showed her ability shoot on the catch as well as off the dribble while impressively elevating on her shot.

HIGH MOTORS PLAYING WITH PURPOSE

Kierra Collier – 5-8 – 2017 – Guard – Kansas Eclipse 17- This University of Washington commit is a lightning quick and explosive lefty who will blow by her defenders time and again. She also shows a consistent ability to finish strong with contact.

Zia Cook – 5-9 – 2019 – Point Guard – Sports City U – Extremely athletic, the well-established Cook is able to create for herself and teammates with a quick low to the ground handle.  She has a college ready pull up jump shot from mid-range out to the arch.

Rain Green- 5-5 – 2020 – Maryland Belles 2019 – Green, another well-known Blue Star 30 member, is at times almost unstoppable in the backcourt when handling the ball. She has a strong, low, quick handle that allows her to get to the rim or stop and pop from mid-range out to the three point line. Defensively she’s picking pockets and lanes. A must watch.

Tsimba Malonga – 5-7 – 2018 – Combo – Illinois Elite 15 – Malonga is an athlete in every sense of the word. Her quickness allows her to blow by defenders and elevate for a smooth finish. She is just as quick and assertive on the defensive end. Please don’t lose sight of her or you will pay via her breaking out in transition or starting the break off a defensive rebound.