Orlando, FL – In recent years, basketball fans, players, and coaches worldwide have noticed a renewed energy and investment into growing the game at the youth level by the NBA. For the second straight year, these efforts culminated at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports located in Orlando at the renowned Disney World complex with the 2ndAnnual Jr. NBA Global Championships last week.
Hopeful teams had to win their region to qualify for participation in the event featuring players 13 or 14 years old. The 16 girls teams and 16 boys teams who gathered as champions of the 8 U.S. Regions and 8 International regions each competed in five games over their week in the Sunshine State. Domestic and International pool play led to the full bracket, eventually crowning a Champion on both sides who lined up on Sunday in a final showdown for bragging rights among the 32 participating teams.
For full results and box scores of every game, you can head over to the Jr. NBA website:
And, to read Mike Flynn’s full report on the experience and the impact of the Blue Star 30 players on the event, click below:
https://bluestarmedia.org/usa-central-does-jrnba-global-championship-again/
There was a good mix of established US talent as well as stock risers on hand. Add in plenty of talent from all over the world we’ve not had the chance to evaluate previously and you’ve got some impressive young prospects. Here are some who stood out last week in Florida.
U.S. Teams
Jaloni Cambridge – 2024 – 5-6 – Point Guard/Guard – Nashville, TN – Gets the three ball off quick and easy…Has it all athletically…Freezes defenders off the bounce…Can hit tough shots over big posts…Great passes…Finds open teammates in transition…Toughness on display
Breya Cunningham – 2023 – 6-3 – Post – Chula Vista, CA – Cleans up in the lane off offensive boards and loose balls…Back to basket move set is big time for age…Finishes through contact and double teams…Mobile shot blocker
Kendall Dudley – 2024 – 6-0 – Wing – Centerville, VA – Drive ability from the wing or facing up in the post…Covers ground off the bounce using step through to finish….Quick and bouncy…Starting to initiate contact on her own…Contains guards especially out at the top of the press
Karly Fischer – 2023 – 6-1 – Forward – Tappan, NY – Long wingspan helps on defense…Has a set of scoring moves inside…Seals well…Asks for the ball…Nice motor
Rylee Grays – 2023 – 6-3 – Forward – Rosharon, TX – Strong interior player with emerging ball skills…Runs great…Consistently chins all rebounds while pivoting out to find guards…Faces up and drives to the rim…Can catch and finish or pass in transition…Great hands…Big time shot blocker
Amarachi Kimpson – 2023 – 5-6 – Point Guard/Guard – Little Elm, TX – Plenty of athletic gifts that she puts to good use…Has some muscle on the frame…Handles the ball well…Long arms to poke the ball away on defense…Attacks the basket often
Zyaira Miller – 2023 – 5-7 – Guard – Cincinnati, OH – Strong, bully guard…Puts her head down…Gets to the basket…Attack mode in transition…Can be an in your face defender…Plenty of potential
Mackenzie Nelson – 2023 – 5-7 – Point Guard – Greenwich, CT – Lanky lead guard…Gets to the hoop…Can scoop finish around defenders…Finesse on her lay-ups…Ability to pass effectively from pick and roll….Can nail the open three…Great closing speed leads to steals on defense…Complete player
Tkiyah Nelson – 2023 – 5-9 – Point Guard/Guard – St. Louis, MO – Wiry combo guard…All arms and legs…Aggressive attacking the rim at times…Right hand dominant on the finish…Can hit the three…Scores in bursts
Courtney Ogden – 2023 – 6-0 – Wing – Atlanta, GA – Versatile scoring ability…Jump shot effective from all over…Gets to the rim…Finishes in the paint…Hits the boards on both ends…Double-double threat
Malia Samuels – 2023 – 5-5 – Point Guard – Burien, WA – Quick on both ends…Uses the bounce pass in transition…Explosive attack off the crossover…Smart cuts without the ball…Can knock down shots from three and mid-range…Will get up and pressure the ball handler…Can step up in key moments
Mjracle Sheppard – 2023 – 5-9 – Wing – Burien, WA – Athletic defensively…Turns steals into two points…Pursues balls out of area…Long arms and nice hops…Has the handles to attack, especially in transition…Moves without the ball…Will face up when working in the high post…Legitimate presence on the court
Kamari Sims – 2023 – 6-0 – Forward – Glen Burnie, MD – Big, strong…Can go off the bounce for her size/position…Physical at times…Shot blocker inside…Hard to stop when going downhill with the ball…Light on her feet…Range starting to stretch to the arc
Ju Ju Watkins – 2023 – 6-0 – Guard – Los Angeles, CA – Size continues to help in all facets…High volume rebounder…Scores repeatedly on put backs…Attacks the basket…Magnet for contact…Body control and footwork in traffic is elite…Tough in the mid-range as well…Delivers assists and blocks in key moments…Can flip the switch to turn in eye-popping performances
Jada Williams – 2023 – 5-7 – Point Guard – Blue Springs, MO – Consistent offensive performer…Streaky shooter from deep…Mid-range game is lethal…High energy playmaker with the ball in her hands…Comes up big when needed
Sole’ Williams – 2023 – 5-10 – Wing – Cincinnati, OH – Athletic…Lefty wing player…Has some raw speed…Developing step back game…Can knock down the three…Good deny defender
International Teams
Juana Amaya – 2023 – 5-5 – Point Guard – Buenos Aires, Argentina – Shifty with the ball…Beats defenders…Good passer in tight spaces…Loves to dump it off to posts…Size does limit her some…Tough player
Erica Carr Ramos – 2023 – 6-3 – Forward – Qatar – True power forward type…Big and strong…Can put it on the floor some…Spins into post to get position…Runs balls down…Has some advanced moves inside…Footwork is there
Jana Ehab – 2024 – 6-2 – Wing – Egypt – Dynamic and versatile young athlete…Can bring it up or go down and work the post…Makes plays in transition…Shoots the three well, even pulling up…Catches and finishes inside within the flow of the offense…Can take over a game
Summah Hanson – 2023 – 6-3 – Forward – Australia – Uses length well…Scrappy…Will battle for boards and loose balls…Can flash and hit the 15 footer…Has a voice…Nice frame…Rebounds in traffic…Handled it in the open court…Scores inside…Has range beyond the arc
Cyanne John – 2023 – 6-0 – Wing Forward – Brampton, ON – Handles with pace and power…Gets to the hoop in transition…Runs the floor…Can move her feet…Contains players off the bounce…Soft touch…Hits the three ball on the move…Reverse finish off the catch
Elsa Lemmila – 2023 – 6-3 – Forward – Finland – Great size…Runs the floor…Boxes out well…Gets put-backs off offensive rebounds…Will take the three…Comfortable putting the ball on the floor within the flow of offense…Blocks her share of shots
Jiaqi Li – 2023 – 5-10 – Point Guard – Guangdong, China – Scrappy lead guard…Has some handles…Gets by people off the bounce…Can make things happen
Daniela Mendoza Portillo – 2023 – 5-9 – Guard – Chihuahua, Mexico – Wants to drive…Shows ability to get to the rim…Athletic enough to hang with a lot of opponents…Needs to add the jump shot next
Milana Nenadic – 2023 – 6-3 – Forward – Brampton, ON – Good length…Stand out motor…Elevates…Lots of rebounds…Will face up and attack into a pull up J…Runs the floor well…Range extending out toward the arc
Lilly Taulelei – 2023 – 6-2 – Forward – New Zeland – Nice moves in the paint…Uses pivot foot well…Decent athlete…Surprises with some quick ups to rebound and snag lob passes…Good athlete
Letycia Miranda Vasconcelos – 2023 – 6-6 – Post – Campinas, Brazil – Awesome size and length…Runs the floor like a pro…Still raw offensively…Gets out and challenges shots on the perimeter…Huge hands…Catches OK
