FAYETTEVILLE, Ark.—The final buzzers have all sounded for the high school and college seasons and now the annual club ball summer tour is getting underway across the country. This past weekend, for the sixth consecutive year, they were “Rockin the Hardwood” in Fayetteville and 148 teams made the trip to Northwest Arkansas to be part of all the action. Players from 12 different states competed in eight divisions of play across two days of competition providing national media, evaluators and recruiters (minus D-I) the chance to get some early evaluations in the books.
The 5th grade title went to Team Tulsa Pink with a 41 – 30 win over the Midwest Select. Top honors for the 6th grade teams went to the ABA Supreme as they took down the Midwest Select 49 – 18. In the 7th grade division Oklahoma PWP got by Midwest Select 42 – 35 and in the 8th grade bracket Kansas NLHA beat the Oklahoma Swarm. The 9th grade championship saw Team Penny claim top honors getting by the Oklahoma Playmakers. The high school Elite Division went to the St. Louis Hype as they defeated Team St. Louis. The Phenom bracket belonged to the Missouri Phenom with their win over Team Arkansas Elite. Bragging rights among teams in the Finest division belonged to Les Chats as they got by the Missouri Phenom.
Scheduled games were played throughout the weekend leading to some great opportunities for to see some of the region’s best go head to head. Established, evolving and hopeful talent was on display and today we take a look at some of the standouts who were “Rockin the Hardwood”!
Easily one of the most dynamic players on hand was Texas commit Alecia Sutton of the Missouri Phenom. The explosive 5-8 point guard is already among the elite in the 2016 class and her play this weekend did nothing to dispel her lofty status. Utilizing her speed and quickness she was able to develop looks for both herself and her teammates time and again. She can get to the rim or create plenty of separation with an almost impossible to defend step back. The elevation on her jumper and pull up gets her clean uncontested looks and she maintains her form even leaning back into her shot. The ballhandling is sharp and the crossover serves her well. Off the drive she’s good among the bigs but can deliver the sharp interior passes as needed. The tools are there to be an elite on ball defender but the consistency will need to evolve on that end of the floor.
Danielle Rainey combines size, athleticism and skills to make her a challenge for virtually any defender. At 5-11, she’s long and lean with the footspeed to be effective against size or speed at both ends of the floor. With the ball in her hands the Texas Elite senior to be is on the attack both in transition and the halfcourt. Her change of speed and direction gets her deep in the paint and she’s more than adept at navigating traffic when the bigs rotate her way. Rainey, a TCU verbal commit, reads the floor well and has the ability make good decisions under pressure. Defensively she does a good job of corralling ballhandlers and possesses a wingspan that can take away options. All the tools are in place, what she wants to do with them is up to her.
The player with the highest national profile coming into the weekend would most likely be Destiny Slocum of the Idaho Hoopdreams. After her breakout summer of 2014 anyone with half a clue regarding the girl’s basketball recruiting environment has been well aware of this talented combo guard. While just 5-7 and more inclined towards the point, she’s one of those few players who possesses an innate understanding of the game. Her ability to create and make plays is in a lesser mold of former Louisville standout Shoni Schimmel. At the same time she’s a capable scorer both spotted up on the perimeter as well as attacking in traffic. Her reads off the drive are instinctual and often end up with one of her talented teammates getting an easy look at the rim. The pull up serves her well and the range is there if defenders soften their close outs. Slocum recently reopened her recruiting after an earlier commitment to the University of Washington.
If you’re interested in the young talent on hand it would be inappropriate to start with anyone other than 2018 standout Christyn Williams. Playing for the Team Arkansas Elite Banshees, the explosive 5-9 guard brings to mind a young Arike Ogunbowale (2015 McDonald’s All-American – Notre Dame) with her physical attack from the backcourt and ability to handle contact off the drive. Her first step creates a difficult gap for defenders to recover from and challenges interior defenders to react. Spotting up or on her pull up, the left handed Williams gets off the floor while exhibiting great form and a soft touch. Defensively she’s active both with her hands and feet and can match up at any backcourt position. One of the premier prospects in the class.
If you’re not familiar with Natalie Chou then you’ve most likely logged on to the wrong web site. The 6-2 guard / wing, now playing with the Texas Elite, had established herself over the past couple of years through her performances at the USA Basketball trials as well as out on the club circuit. Her ability to measure and attack defenders is almost surgical in its approach and more often than not exploits a weakness or reaction in an opponent. Over time she’s evolved into one of the most efficient players off the drive in the 2016 class. Once in traffic she reads and reacts with a maturity that usually comes with some colligate experience under her belt. The consistency on her shot wasn’t what it normally has been and will need to be there as the opposition focuses on limiting the productivity of her penetration.
Ray Caldwell and the San Antonio’s Finest have a group with multiple options to call upon when needed. Kiana Williams, 2017 combo, is capable in a multitude of ways of answering that call. She can exploit pressuring opponents and is able to convert off the drive as well as from pulling up on the perimeter. Her speed and quickness is on par with anyone on the scholastic level. The ballhandling in place to create off the break or in halfcourt sets and she knows how to find her own looks. Off penetration she relies on the pull up as well as a soft touch floater. The range is there to force close outs deep on the perimeter as well. The line at her door is already a long one.
The lengthy tradition of the Arkansas Mavericks programs almost guarantees you’re going to find plenty of talent on their rosters year after year. Their Elite squad this year is enjoying some quality play from 2017 guard Bre’Amber Scott. At 5-10 she has good size and a solid build to challenge smaller backcourt opponents. Plenty of ball skills are in place and the ability is there to create her own looks off screens and individually. The release on her jumper is somewhat low but the form itself is sound. Scott is good off penetration and works effectively inside. She also provides a solid effort on the glass from the perimeter. Consistency will need to evolve on both ends but the plays she makes are evidence of a very bright future.
Anyone who likes versatility in an athlete’s game will love the effort of Micaela Wilson with the Team Elite Arkansas Banshees. Not many prospects combine a 6-1 frame with elite athleticism as well as the physical strength of a much more mature athlete like this 2017 swing player does. Another left hander, Wilson has the tools to be an impact four player but the skills to leave her mark at the three in the right situations as well. She can post effectively but is just as adept at working out on the perimeter and facing the rim. The ballhandling is solid and given time she’s consistent out beyond the arch. She’s a presence on the boards and not hesitant about playing a physical version of defense that would keep any coach at the next level smiling.
Another TCU early verbal is Texas Elite 2016 guard Kianna Ray. Lots of length and a lean, athletic build allow her to be a factor at any of the three positions on the perimeter. She may not be a “true” point guard but the ballhandling and passing are there to allow the lefty to handle it in transition with ease. The change of speed draws defenders out of their stance and she attacks with quick acceleration off the move to get herself deep in the lane time and again. Her crossover is fluid and again leaves opponents struggling to recover. Plenty of range is in place and the stroke is there to make slow closing defenders pay a price. Physical strength will need to evolve as she moves on to the next level but the footspeed makes her an asset in multiple defensive schemes.
QUICKHITTERS
Shaila Beeler – 2019 – 5-5 Point – George Hill Lady Stars – Quick but small…Lefty with sharp skills for age…Strong interior passer off the drive…Step back is there
Mya Bhinhar – 2018 – 5-9 Guard – Blue Star Oklahoma and One – Nice size with strong perimeter skills…Lean with deceiving athleticism…Ballhandling and passing are sharp…Tools
Desiree Caldwell – 2018 – 5-7 Guard – San Antonio’s Finest – Creating more off the dribble…Change of speed…Shot is evolving…Works hard on ball defensively
Lexi Gordon – 2017 – 5-11 Forward – Texas Elite – Smart…Fundamental…Has been well coached…Plays with lots of effort…Perimeter skills are there but need to advance
Aaliyah Jackson – 2016 – 5-11 Wing / Guard – Texas Elite – Physically cut…Speed and quickness are there…Had moments…Lots of potential…What position??
Jamilyn Kinney – 2018 – 5-7 Point – Team Arkansas Elite Banshees – Deceiving young point guard…Strong ball skills…Sharp passing…Pushes tempo…Shot is off shoulder at times
Lauryn Miller – 2017 – 6-2 Post – Missouri Phenom – Size…Strong…Solid…Active and aggressive posting…Offensive boards…One dribble drive is there…Works on defense
De’Anira Moore – 2016 – 6-3 Post – Texas Elite – Strong with a college frame…Works hard down low…Reads defenders on the catch…Developing a baby hook that has promise…Should have more impact on the glass
Yo’Myris Morris – 2018 – 6-2 Forward – Arkansas Mavericks – Size and length…Runs the floor with plenty of speed…Quick on the attack…Can finish around the rim…High post passing…Some ballhandling…Watch
Quincy Noble – 2018 – 5-10 Guard – Texas Elite – Athletic young guard…Slashes…Pull up is there…Active defender…Consistency will need to evolve
Jordan Roundtree – 2016 – 5-8 Guard – Missouri Phenom – Exceptional athlete…Wiry build…Impressive vertical…Penetrates…Floater…Active on both ends
Jamirah Shutes – 2018 – 5-8 Guard – Team Penny – Strong, young guard…Impressive individual skills…Attacking mentality…Needs to be more active without the ball
Nalyssa Smith – 2018 – 6-3 Forward – San Antonio’s Finest – Long…Agile and athletic…Active in the halfcourt offensively…Has tools but needs to be more assertive
Brianna Suber – 2017 – 5-8 Guard – Texas Elite – Athletic guard with some length…Strong in transition and traffic…Interior passing is solid…Length helps on defense
Carleigha Thompson – 2016 – 5-8 Point – Arkansas Mavericks – Stocky and strong…Instinctual player…Great intuition on passing…Lacks any enthusiasm for the game…Change in approach and embrace could lead to bright future
Alexis Tolefree – 2016 – 5-6 Point – Arkansas Wings – Lost of speed with the ball…Strong individual skills…Step back creates looks…Shoots a true jumper
Nwoke Uchenna – 2018 – 6-4 Post – Texas Elite – Young with lots of size…Frame…Mechanical right now…Deceptive getting up and down the floor…Watch closely
Morgan Wallace – 2017 – 5-8 Guard – Team Arkansas – Some length…Speed with the ball…Solid ballhandling…Penetrates and creates
Tori Williams – 2017 – 5-8 Combo – Idaho Hoopdreams – Skilled backcourt contributor…Reads the floor…Smart passing…Crossover is effective…Quick release on spot and pull up
