CHICAGO, IL – The 2020 Rising Blue Star fall camp schedule made its annual stop in Chicago in mid-October, and just as we have seen in previous years, the talent level was through the roof across the age groups.
Even in a pandemic year, nearly 100 players filled out the roster between the middle school and high school portions of the day. We always enjoying getting an autumn look at established prospects in the Windy City region before school season starts, but Chicago is also a hub of mystery, and many elite young players have used this event to burst onto the National radar over the past few years.
As we continue to navigate COVID-19 deeper into the fall, we have plenty of Rising Blue Star events coming up in November and even into December! So far, over 500 players have attended a camp nationwide. For more information, an upcoming schedule, and to register, visit the website, https://risingbluestar.com/
Blue Star’s Jason Nichols and Kevin McManaman were on site leading the camp and evaluating the athletes. Here are some of the players that caught their attention.
Rising Blue Star
Jo’Niyah Akins–2025–5-7–Guard–Illinois–Another Bolingbrook kid who can be elite…Very athletic and skilled…First step explosiveness is unmatched…Ultra quick burst getting off the ground on rebounds…Emerging talent when she refines some of her fundamentals
Javeah Branch–2025–5-11–Guard–Alabama–Big time potential…Creative and skilled when attacking the basket…Gifted finisher at basket…Can shoot it from anywhere on the floor…Has the body to overpower smaller defenders…Good court vision
Dalia Grandberry–2026–6-3–Forward–Illinois–Size and speed is elite…Blocks and alters shots…Can defend inside and out…Ball skills on perimeter are emerging…Can shoot to 15 feet already…Elite player in her class…Major upside and potential.
Kiaya Johnson–2025–5-3–Point guard–Illinois–Small guard plays bigger than size…Extremely skilled guard…Dangerous in the open court…Gets to the rim and is a creative finisher at the basket…Showed toughness when defenders became physical…Solid shooter.
Emma O’Brien–2026–5-10–Wing–Illinois–Very long wing player…Uses her length to disrupt on the defensive end…Really good midrange pullup for her age. Can shoot the 3pt shot very well. Ball skills are above average and developing…Potential to be an elite kid in her class is obvious
Avery Mezan–2026–5-2–Point guard–Illinois–Small in stature but you always see her…She can flat out shoot the three ball better than any kid in the camp…She is so fast in the open court and can finish at the rim against bigger defenders…Feisty and tough defender…Love how hard she competes on every possession
Stella Sakalas–2026–5-10–Guard–Illinois–Most productive player in the gym…Stella can shoot it a high level… She won the 1 on 1 competition using a wide range of skills…Skilled and elite passer…High motor sets her apart from the rest…She can do it all on the basketball court and is one of the top kids in Illinois right now
Alana Shields–2025–5-0–Point guard–Illinois–Crazy athletic guard…Got to rim whenever and however she wanted…Dynamic passer off the dribble…Creative finisher at the rim…Unstoppable in the open floor
Blue Star Combine
Natasha Barnes–2023–5-9–Combo Guard–Illinois–Can play both point guard and shooting guard spots…Very good shooter with deep range ability…Can handle and distribute with the ball in her hands..Vocal leader on the floor…IQ is very high and understands the game
Shannon Blacher–2023–5-10–Wing–Illinois–Shannon had a really good day…Excelled in the 1 on 1 competition against elite players…Long guard can shoot it at a high level but can get to the the rim on her off hand better than most…Size for her position is a plus…Can defend really well…One of the better 2023 kids in a loaded Illinois class
Brooke Carlson–2024–5-8–Point guard–Illinois– Ball handling skills are at a high level. Court vision off the dribble is excellent. Has speed with basketball in her hands that is unmatched by most…Three point shot has gotten better….Defensively she is a problem with quick hands, willingness and ability to shoot passing lanes…Elite player nationally in class of 2024
Faith Harrison–2024–5-11–Wing–Indiana–SIze and strength is there for this young but emerging player…Very Athletic…Can defend with athleticism and is disruptive…Does some good things around the basket…Outside game needs some improvement but the upside to be really good is scary…Motor is high…Can handle very well and gets to the rim.
Layla Henderson–2023–5-10–Wing–Illinois–Layla had a really good day and consistently stood out in every drill…She shot at high level with a fundamentally sound pull-up jump shot…She used her good strong frame to finish at the rim against small and bigger forwards…she runs the floor well in transition and consistently made baskets…All around fundamentally sound prospect
Isabella Kedrynna–2023–5-10–Guard–Illinois–Creative guard that stood out…Athletic and speed was obvious…Very good Guard skills…Can shoot the ball, can get to the basket, can finish among the bigs and has efficient passing skills…All around very good basketball players that has a very high basketball IQ and will be an intriguing prospect
Nakiyah Mays-Prince–2022–5-5–Point guard–Illinois–Unknown coming into camp but not anymore…This kid can play…Can get any shot she wants from the perimeter…Big time three point shooter…Skill set is elite in getting separation on her shot or drive…Court vision is elite and made the proper reads consistently…1 on 1 champion couldn’t be guarded all day
Angelina Smith–2024–5-8–Point guard–Illinois–Elite prospect is so good…She just punishes you when attacking the rim…Finishes through contact with brute strength…Mental toughness to compete at a high level in every drill for her age is impressive…Shot is emerging…An absolute warrior on the floor will always catch your eye…One of the best in the country
