In a club landscape littered with greed, self-promotion and an unconscionable sale of services, few events are as highly regarded as the annual Rites of Passage Showcase.  The non-profit (Now there’s a concept!) invitation only showcase features a handpicked selection of some of the next generation’s elite players.  A few have already made a name for themselves and others are just beginning to make a splash.  For the sixth consecutive year the Godmother of the DMV, Lisa Bodine, found a way to make another event and the first weekend following the extensive spring and summer schedule an appealing option for evaluators and media to hit the road once more.

On floor instructors, led by former UCLA standout and WNBA player Lisa Willis, not only provided skill instruction and insight but also serve as an example to young women of the possibilities that the game can provide.  Willis, director of Think, Work, Play Player Development, was joined by an experienced staff from both the college and high school ranks.  Former George Washington and Wake Forest standout Yolanda Lavender returned once again to help lead the on floor instruction along with Taylor Jenkins (South Alabama), Talen Watson (Indiana University – Pennsylvania) Tiara Butler (Syracuse), Tasia Butler (James Madison), Lindsay Allen (Notre Dame), Brianna Hardee (Bethune Cookman) and high school standouts Megan Walker (Monacan H.S.) and Sam Brunelle (West Monroe H.S.).  Additionally, Thomas Edison High School (Virginia) coach Dianne Lewis, an assistant with this year’s USA Basketball U17 team served as a guest speaker addressing, among other topics, the proper use of social media by student athletes.  Even the parents had their turn with a Q and A session with national media and evaluators as well as experienced parents and coaches on the current recruiting environment.

Of course, as always, the basketball is the main attraction and the efforts of this young roster of talent tells us the future is in good hands.  Here’s a sample of just some of the promising prospects on hand for the 2016 Rites of Passage.  They’re listed alphabetically and, because of their age, we’re not including heights and positions due to the obvious potential for change.

Kayla Beckford – 2020 – Patterson, New Jersey – Develops options off the dribble…Hesitation move is there…Has flash but plays with control…Creates

LaTonya Berry – 2020 – Hinella, New Jersey – Has size and build…Length…Could grow…Had moments but still a work in progress

Maddie Burke – 2020 – Doylestown, Pennsylvania – Creating more and more…Adding a more physical element to her play…Form, stroke and range are there…Lots of effort

Allison Campbell – 2020 – Altoona, Pennsylvania – Wiry guard…Fluid and smart in all movement…Active with and without the ball…Form and range are there…Lots of tools

Caroline Ducharme – 2021 – Milton, Massachusetts – Active with and without the ball…Reads the floor…Understands the game…Lean build but not shy about getting in traffic…Impressive defensive awareness on the weakside

Heaven Figueroa – 2020 – Brooklyn, New York – Ballhandling…Has speed with the ball…Good 1 on 1 skills…Posesses a pull up as well as range

Azzi Fudd – 2021 – Arlington, Virginia – High tier game continues to advance…Change of speed and direction serving her well…Hesitation to a crossover gets her deep…Attacks with strength and aggressiveness

Aurea Gingras – 2020 – Alexandria, Virginia – Smart, penetrating guard…Creates off the dribble…Strong crossover move…In control of the floor

Rain Green – 2020 – Baltimore, Maryland – Evolving floor leader…Quickness and speed with the ball…Making smart choices off penetration…Gets to the rim but has a floater…Making those around her better

Camille Jackson – 2022 – Chicago, Illinois – Athleticism…Sharp individual skills…Ball control is there…Active with and without the ball…Speed in the halfcourt and full

Mya Henson – 2020 – Edgewood, Maryland – Solid build…Has some ball skills…Passes the ball well on the break…Can spot up with range

Kaylah Ivey – 2020 – Forestville, Maryland – Ball skills…Sharp passing…Sees the floor…Delivers the ball off penetration

I’Iah Javellana – 2022 – Chesterfield, Virginia – Small…Solid ball skills…Crossover…Hesitation…Makes plays

Julianna Laguna – 2022 – Staten Island, New York – Young guard…Effective off the drive…Passing skills…Smart with impressive basketball IQ

Natalija Marshall – 2020 – Brooklyn, New York – Has some length…Some ballhandling with a crossover…Can post with a drop step…Anticipates defensively…Lots of versatility

Mir McLean – 2020 – Gwynn Oak, Maryland – Athletic…Active in transition and the halfcourt…Vertical is impressive…Evolving skills…Watch

Kayla Morris – 2020 – New York, New York – Length and size…Has some ballhandling in place…First step…High post drive…Face up moves

Olivia Mullins – 2020 – Somerset, New Jersey – Solid athleticism…Sound ballhandling…Change of speed and direction…Good form…Consistency will come

Caranda Perea – 2020 – Altoona, Pennsylvania – Nice size…Active…Will take the 15 footer…Has some tools…Some ballhandling

Sherese Pittman – 2021 – Richmond, Virginia – Size and build…Fluid…Can get to the rim…Step back is there…Low release on jumper

Kateri Poole – 2020 – New York, New York – Aggressive and attacking…Handles contact off the drive…Can finish in traffic…Creates shots and passes

JaNiya Quinerly – 2021- Norfolk, Virginia – Solid guard…Ball skills…Creates options for teammates…Opens up the floor

Angel Reese – 2020 – Randallstown, Maryland – Lean and athletic…Versatile…Can create or can post…Baby hook…Handled it in transition…Made plays again and again

Eniya Russell – 2020 – Baltimore, Maryland – Attacking guard…Speed with the ball…Strong passing in transition…Sets up teammates…Effective on ball defender

Elle Stauffer – 2020 – Doylestown, Pennsylvania – Decent form…Step back is there…Range…Some ballhandling…Textbook

Isabella Tanedo – 2022 – Laurel, Maryland – Ballhandling and passing…Penetrates…Form is sound but touch needs to come…Picks her spots

Jacqueline Vargas – 2020 – Maple glen, Pennsylvania – Lean with length…Lefty…Has some ballhandling…Active without the ball…Shot is ?? at this point

Yonta Vaughn – 2022 – District Heights, Maryland – Creates off the dribble…Hesitation dribble serves her well…Strong passing in transition

Zoe Vidaurre – 2021 – Germantown, Maryland – Strong ballhandler…Step back…Form and stroke are there…Feisty on ball defender

Jada Walker – 2021 – Richmond, Virginia – Lefty…Penetrates some…Active with and without the ball…Could set teammates up more…Strong on ball defender

Kylee Watson – 2020 – Linwood, New Jersey – Size and solid build…Can attack inside and out…Creates off the dribble…High post drive is productive…Strong spin move down low…Reads defenders…Makes plays…Perimeter shot will need to evolve

Saniaa Wilson – 2021 – Rochester, New York – Has size…Can shoot the high post and trail spot…Physical…Doesn’t mind contact…Blue collar ethic