HAMPTON, VA – In the minds of many in girls’ basketball, the April NCAA Evaluation Period means club basketball season just got serious. One of the biggest events on the schedule for that weekend has been at the historic Boo Williams Sports Complex, and after a couple of weird years of COVID-related adjustments, the Boo-plex was back up and running full blast last weekend.
As always, the event was built around the NIKE EYBL programs who bring along at least one team in the 17, 16, 15, and 14 age groups. Then when you add to the equation a bevy of strong independent programs and then a deep contingent of Canadian teams, the ingredients are in place for a great three days of basketball.Nike
It was also great to see so many of our Blue Star 30 players, over 40, in attendance this weekend and getting after it! Just as we see some of our first year 30’s playing in the NCAA DI Final Four and winning National Championships, it’s been special to watch the next wave grow up and show out. We are proud of you, and we are already looking forward to our annual Blue Star 30 Camp this August. Who’s next?
Let’s dive in to all of the action now. Here’s our normal disclaimer, this story is not meant to focus on all of the top players and all of the programs who attended. I could write 10 articles about all of the standout performers and the depth of some of these programs if I wanted to. This is just a sampling of some of the things I saw. Just because a player or team is not mentioned, doesn’t mean we didn’t see them or weren’t impressed, as is always the case with our event coverage. With so much talent out there, there often are not enough hours in the day.
Here we go…
NIKE 17U EYBL Final 4
Let’s start off with the “Main Event” so to speak of this event. The 17U EYBL semi-final match ups were very intriguing, and did not disappoint. Kentucky Premier had quite a weekend, perhaps pulling an “upset” or two along the way. They were matched up with a red hot ProSkills squad that was deep in size and had clearly separated themselves in pool play. The opposite side of the bracket featured another Texas-based program, 2021 EYBL Finalist Cy-Fair Elite, who drew the daunting task of Philly Rise in what many expected to be a star-studded showdown.
Let’s give a brief profile of each of these teams as they head into their loaded summer schedules.
Cy-Fair Elite has quite a mix of younger and older standouts this year. Among the top prospects in the 2023 class, combo guard Chloe Clardy and strong forward Rylee Grays are taking their final lap on the circuit. Clardy made clutch jump shots again and again this past weekend, from deep or in between, and Grays does some absolute freakish things for a player her size, scooping up loose balls in a scramble and blasting off the other way to the rim. 2024 post Justice Carlton can live at the free throw line when she wants, because most opponents struggle to defend her inside, even with the double team. 2025 Point guard Aaliyah Chavez dazzled the crowds, and once again proved that she is one of the top high school floor generals in the country, regardless of class. Her jump shot has really become reliable off the bounce, so expect to pay the tax when you relax. This group could easily find themselves in the final game once again come July.
Speaking of 2025s, Kentucky Premier has a starting line up that usually features two of the top 2025 prospects in the country, Zakiyah Johnson and Leah Macy. Even as she just now wraps up her freshman year of high school, Johnson is already a veteran of the 17U EYBL level, and it clearly shows. And then in Macy you have a player that adds something to her blue collar game every time I see her. This time, it was the consistency with which she can now shoot the three ball, with a release and rotation as if she played the two spot. Haven Ford leads the team as a rising senior point guard, making things happen, and more importantly, making those big free throws down the stretch of close games. Also, keep an eye on 2025 post Ciara Byars, who is banging inside on D with the best of them already. This group plays hard and executes, and there’s a strong young core in place that will guide them for a couple more years.
Philly Rise left their stamp in the Boo-plex this weekend. I’m not sure how much higher 2023 point guard Hannah Hidalgo can go at this point. What’s the next galaxy over from ours? She’s somewhere out that way looking down on planet Earth. When paired with back court battery mate Zoe Brooks, this is quite a tag team to be reckoned with. No matter how the game is going, when it’s all tied up and you want the ball in someone’s hands to make a play, Brooks’ number is getting called, and we saw that here. One player who had an absolutely amazing weekend is 2023 sharp shooter Gretchen Dolan. She flashed NBA range once more, but it was the pace and maturity with which she played that really jumped out most. The Rise roster is full of big, skilled wings and plenty of athleticism on the interior, so expect more victories to stack up.
ProSkills has tremendous depth and size to get the party started this summer. 2024 post Jordan Thomas was a big bag of problems for opponents in the paint all weekend. She got operable position and exploded up through defenders with ease. The explosive hops of 2023 wing forward Maddie Cox led to plenty of big rebounds and paint buckets as well. 2023 point guard Victoria Flores was on absolute fire shooting the basketball here, and perhaps saved her best performances for championship day even. The play of dynamic 2023 wings Julianna Lamendola and Laci Steele however proved to be the great separator when the going got tough. The size and athleticism of Lamendola make her an instant difference maker. She was perhaps only topped by the fantastic play of her teammate Steele, who hit a runner to win the final game as the buzzer sounded, a clip which by now you’ve probably watched on twitter… at least 20 times! When you have tough, skilled, competitive kids who want the ball in big moments and can go and get you a big bucket, you have a few celebrations in your future.
That should have been a spoiler alert, but yes, it was ProSkills who emerged victorious in the 17U EYBL championship game. Zoe Brooks put the Rise up by one with under 10 seconds left with a ridiculously tough runner in the lane, only to be outdone in the closing second when Laci Steele drove left and elevated off one foot to kiss her own wild shot off the glass as the backboard lit up. If we have more games like this one in store, it’s going to be a fun summer!
16 EYBL Does Not Disappoint
There was plenty to like in the 16U EYBL Division as well. This is a level where many future standouts honed their craft, maybe even still as middle schoolers, so there are plenty of gems to be found. Keep reading below and you’ll stumble across a few!
The 16U Championship game was a fun, back-and-forth affair highlighted by some very elite play. The game featured All Iowa Attack and the Philly Rise (again!).
Divine Bourrage, a 5’10 2025 guard, played lights out in this game for All Iowa. When she’s on the floor, you better believe business is picking up. She is able to deliver excellent passes all over the court, and that fade away jumper in the lane is big time. Another guard who impressed was 2025 combo Ava Zediker, a shot creator to absolutely be aware of. Zediker has the skill and quickness to turn the corner, but the trey ball can be lights out too. 2025 wing/forward Journey Houston is another known commodity who continues to trend in the right direction.
The Rise is anchored by 6’4 2024 post Kennedy Ume, who is already off to an outstanding spring. The boards and post points are bountiful, and Ume will absolutely wow you with the move set. Classmate 5’10 guard Talayah Walker played some superb defense here, with several steals that she took the other way for two points. Walker is going to get to the rack, by any means necessary.
When all was said and done, the Rise put the game away in the closing minutes with some big time execution and made free throws, the scoreboard showing their advantage 53-47 when the final horn sounded
A Handful of Names
Let’s move on now to some notes on a few of the players of note we saw. Some may very well be familiar, some may be new, and some may very well become household names in the game one day! That’s the beauty of it, the game rewards hard work, and we can’t wait to take in all of the talent all spring and summer long. Stay tuned for our coverage all season, we’re always watching!
Destiny Agubata – 2024 – 6-0 – Wing/Forward – Why Not Premier 17 EYBL – Coming off a great high school season and showed why here…Stock rising in a big way…Just an athletic specimen first off…Soft touch on the jumper and hits it in various places…No issue posting inside and scores plenty this way
Katherine Amelotte – 2026 – 5-11 – Wing/Forward – North Tartan 14 – All over the court defensively…Bodies up and moves her feet…Will face up and stick it from 15 feet…Strong passes…Ducks in hard for the high low…Moves the ball well
Kamorea Arnold – 2023 – 5-9 – Point Guard – All Iowa Attack 17 EYBL – UConn commit is impossible to leave out of any event coverage…Showing versatility to play in a different type of system and steal lead a team…Mature beyond her years…All the make up, and one younger players should watch
Ace Austin – 2025 – 5-6 – Point Guard – Alabama Southern Starz 16 EYBL – Has added a couple inches which certainly helps her…Ball skills have always been there…Shooting it even better now as she is a little older and stronger…Scoring PG…Always has potential to make a play when the ball is in her hands
Haylen Ayers – 2027 – 5-11 – Wing – TN Flight Silver 16 EYBL – Initiates her own contact off the bounce…What she flashes playing three years up is big time…Very natural in the things she does
Kamrah Banks – 2026 – 5-8 – Point Guard – Lady Gym Rats 16 EYBL – Will be hard to find a PG her age with as fast of a handle…Quick and makes good decisions…Can run a team…Three level scoring potential has already been established
Taylor Barbot – 2023 – 5-9 – Point Guard – New Heights Blue 17 – Vision is there…Nice no look passing game…Makes the world turn for her squad…Handles pressure with no problem…Has a mid range game…Crashes to rebound her own misses
Carolae Barton – 2024 – 6-1 – Forward – BWSL 16 EYBL – Stronger in the upper body but she can move like a guard…Nice job helping handle the full court press with the ball in her hands…Elevates for her size…Can pull up in the lane…Face up move set on display from the high post…Still has a couple years to add to her game
Jalynn Belton – 2027 – 5-10 – Wing – Miami Suns Team KiKi 15 – Some authority when she drives…Big guard status…Three point threat and can use that to create attack opportunities…Doing high level things for her age…IQ is off the charts for a middle schooler
Mikayla Blakes – 2024 – 5-9 – Point Guard – Jersey Gemz 17 EYBL – Must watch basketball player here…Put on an absolute epic performance in an elite PG battle…Continues to be a standout
Jordan Boddie – 2023 – 5-7 – Point Guard – Essence Black 2023 – Lots of lay ups for this one…Can really beat people off the bounce…Competitive and love the energy…Played well
Abigail Boutilier – 2023 – 6-9 – Post – Lady Drive Nation 17 EYBL – Texas commit has all the makings to be an impact presence…Won’t find many that can see eye to eye with her…For her size, mobility is good…Rim protector…Stepped out to the arc and hit one or two so that’s a nifty addition as well
Leah Brooks – 2024 – 6-2 – Forward – Alabama Southern Starz 16 EYBL – Hard to shoot over with all that length…Will post and showed a nice turnaround fade away inside…Helps control the paint defensively…Can wreak havoc on the glass…Played well here
Nyla Brooks – 2025 – 6-1 – Wing – BWSL 16 EYBL – Dynamic and has matured physically…Taking that mid range shot over tight defenders more consistently…Still plenty of layers to her game to be discovered
Morgan Cheli – 2024 – 6-2 – Wing/Forward – Cal Stars 17 EYBL – Showed well playing a year up…Good at turning the corner and wraps it up to finish well…Noticeable elevation…Just very good at the simple fundamentals of the game
Alaya Colbert – 2027 – 5-10 – Forward – Essence White 2026 – Pogo stick hops grab your attention…Really gets it done on the glass…See how she develops
Micah Cooper – 2024 – 5-11 – Combo Guard – Cy Fair Elite 16 EYBL – Big, physical, and strong at the point…Unfazed in traffic and finds her dump offs…Has the size to play off the ball…Jump shot is improving…Climbing the charts
Jenessa Cotton – 2024 – 6-2 – Post – Cal Sparks 17 EYBL – Big body post…Not afraid to throw her weight around…Wide base…Soft hands…Likes the lob over the top…15 foot range at the elbows and even takes the occasional three
Aaliyah Crump – 2025 – 6-1 – Wing – North Tartan 16 EYBL – Combines athleticism and skill out on the wing…Standout performer…Continues to separate herself even against older players…Two way contributor
Breya Cunningham – 2023 – 6-4 – Post – Cal Stars 17 EYBL – Another dominating appearance at Boo…You’ll be hard pressed to find a tougher post to handle inside than this one…Ducks in to exactly the position she wants…Then knows what to do with it when she gets it…Ball doesn’t stick to her, she scores it or keeps it moving…Almost expects at least a double team at this point and it doesn’t matter
Jadyn Donovan – 2023 – 6-0 – Wing – Team Takeover 17 EYBL – Will be hard pressed to find a player on this circuit as electric and exciting as her…Just so very athletic, has the crowd on the edge of their seat on every break away to see if she can throw one down…Fierce competitor as always
Reychel Douglas – 2023 – 6-0 – Wing – Carolina Flames 17 EYBL – Scoring threat on the wing in various ways…Has been fun to watch her grow over the years…Very capable with the ball in her hands…Can make it rain from three-point land
Kendall Dudley – 2024 – 6-2 – Wing/Forward – Team Durant 17 EYBL – Always fun to watch…Has so much experience that she builds on…Has really taken it to another level and realized how much she is capable of on a regular basis the past year or so
Joy Egbuna – 2025 – 6-3 – Post – ProSkills YG – Makes herself a target inside and asks for the ball…Makes her foul shots if you send her to the line…Wants to score the post feeds though…Big and strong…Expect to see more out of her in years ahead
Jessica Fields – 2025 – 6-1 – Forward – Essence Wheelerkids 16 EYBL – Pounds it in the lane and explodes up to score…Natural athleticism is clear…Huge hands, swatting away shot attempts…Plays rim to rim…Double-double threat
Katie Fiso – 2024 – 5-11 – Point Guard – Tree of Hope 17U EYBL – Going to be hard to find a point guard raising her stock nationally as quickly as her…Gets to her spots and makes shots or the right decisions…Calm and cool even as she takes over a game…Ultra competitive and a leader
Toby Fournier – 2024 – 6-2 – Wing/Forward – Kia Nurse Elite 17 EYBL – So much vertical…Online dunking sensation but there’s way more to her game than that…Catches and finishes in populated areas without delay…College-ready frame…Good instincts and decision making away from the ball…Hunts the passing lanes…Physical in her cuts
Aniya Foy – 2025 – 5-11 – Point Guard – Cy Fair Elite 16 EYBL – Just has a big time build…Size for a youngster at PG is impressive…Loves to get to the rack…So good with the ball and a little bump or two doesn’t phase her…Pushes tempo…Doing some scary things for her age
Delaney Gibb – 2024 – 5-10 – Combo Guard – Kia Nurse Elite 17 EYBL – Absolute shot creator and stat sheet stuffer…Some fancy finishes when she gets to the rack…Will pull the tough three without batting an eye…Makes good reads when help comes…Bucket getter
Kai Gibson – 2023 – 5-8 – Guard – Fairfax Stars 17 Showcase – Can fly to the rim some…No doubt athleticism…Makes some really tough lay ins in traffic…She can go
Marissa Gingrich – 2023 – 5-7 – Point Guard – Philadelphia Belles 17 DeShields – Plays her best when she is aggressive…Really good pull up…Drops off the bounce passes in tight spaces…Lefty stroke finds the bottom of the net often
Nataliyah Gray – 2025 – 6-3 – Post – DFW Elite 17 EYBL – Has the physical tools to hang with the older group…Developing a couple up and under moves…Also demonstrated some good passing out of the post…Young interior player with lots of ball still to come
Anaja Hall – 2023 – 6-4 – Post – Zone 6 Celtics – Eye-catching size that is hard to come by…Movements are solid…Just started playing so her best basketball is ahead
Anaya Harris – 2023 – 5-9 – Guard – Carolina Flames 17 Moses – Fast is the word that comes to mind…Bouncy and has good size…Curls off the screen and knocks down the jumper…One to watch from the Carolinas
Kennedy Harris – 2023 – 5-7 – Combo Guard – Fairfax Stars 17 EYBL – Primary ball handler for her squad and has embraced that for sure…Pull up three is a threat…Gets to the rim as well, so overall a scoring option as she’s always been…Had a really strong showing all weekend
Taylor Harvery – 2025 – 6-2 – Wing/Forward – CO Premier 17 EYBL – Tall, long, and can handle the ball in the open court…Needs to fill out still, but plenty of time for that…Wants to split defenders to finish…Shoots over people with the baby jumper…Will also drop the tear drop over the top or finish around people
Jayla Jordyn Jackson – 2026 – 6-1 – Wing – Team Takeover 16 EYBL – Out there corralling point guards on D at her height…Vocal…Advanced physically and mentally…Has a presence…Drives in to a crowd and scores the reverse lay up with ease…Super high ceiling
Isis Johnson – 2025 – 5-10 – Guard – Michigan Crossover 15 – Displayed some big time tendencies…Smooth with the ball pushing in transition and keeps it simple…Tons of promise with the ball in her hands
Maya Johnson – 2025 – 5-3 – Point Guard – K-Low Elite 15 – Don’t let the size fool you, she can play…Makes some highlights happen on both ends…Can distribute or score…Digs in on D
Janae Kent – 2023 – 6-1 – Wing/Forward – Michigan Crossover 17 EYBL – LSU commit…Strong wing/forward type…All the tools physically…Stop and pop is pretty darn good…Also hits the trey…Scores inside and out
Grace Knox – 2025 – 6-2 – Forward – Cal Storm Team Taurasi 17 EYBL – Has a great look and presence, even playing up at the oldest age level…Plays like she’s been here before…Faces up and passes it well in the post…Gets to where she wants to go with the ball, and once she’s air born, it’s over…Gets low and wide to jockey for great post position…Aggressive defender
Kateryna Koval – 2024 – 6-5 – Forward/Post – Exodus NYC 17 EYBL – International product continuing to garner attention in the states…Fluid and smooth in the things she does on the court…Can bang inside to get the spot she wants…Highly skilled with the ball in her hands for a post
Elsie Larsen – 2026 – 5-9 – Point Guard – Missouri Phenom 15 – One of the most mature young PG’s here…Heady and a natural ball handler…Three point shot is legitimate already…Gets herself to the right spots to make passes and initiate the offense…Knows where the ball is supposed to go even when it’s not in her hands
Jenna Lawrence – 2023 – 6-3 – Forward – TN Flight Silver 17 EYBL – Arkansas commit is going to be a nice four player at the next level…Can’t miss size…Drops the baby hook over the D inside…Attentive and assertive defender…Will take the three some
Jada Lynch – 2026 – 5-11 – Guard – Philly Rise 15 – Strong, physical bully at the guard spot…Comes from a family of accomplished athletes…Toughness…Plays with tremendous pace and purpose
Jamari Milton – 2026 – 5-3 – Point Guard – DFW Elite 16 EYBL – Playing a couple years up and gaining experience…Quick first step and handles it pretty well…Plenty of burst…Will rebound for a young PG
Nene Ndiaye – 2023 – 6-0 – Wing/Forward – Cal Storm 17 National – International product from Senegal…Super athletic and a great frame…Can play outside and in the paint alike…Nice feet and long reach to score it…Also shoots the three…Can euro step her way through help defenders…Does a little bit of everything
Mackenzie Nelson – 2023 – 5-9 – Point Guard – Exodus NYC 17 EYBL – A PG with a crazy motor…Shoots the three well…Knows when to make a back door cut…Definitely a defender of note as well
Khyala Ngodu – 2023 – 6-3 – Forward – Miami Suns 17 EYBL – Runs rim to rim…Faces up and uses the jab…12-15 foot shot is coming around, just keep working…Gets up to challenge shots without fouling
S’Mya Nichols – 2023 – 6-0 – Wing/Forward – Missouri Phenom 17 EYBL – A problem for defenders in many ways…Demands instant attention and has a strong presence to match her appearance…Dangerous on either side of the pick and roll
Logan Nissley – 2023 – 5-11 – Guard – North Tartan 17 EYBL – Shooter all day for the highest level…Has the IQ and understands how to get open…Multi-sport athlete and it shows
Jailah Pelly – 2023 – 5-9 – Point Guard – Bradley Beal Elite 17 – Very good distributor at the point…High end motor…Always looking for assist opportunities…Lots of spice on those passes too
Sarah Rambus – 2023 – 6-4 – Forward – Michigan Crossover 17 EYBL – Does a good job getting her hands on passes and shots…Paint protection specialist…Diverse offensive game for her size…Still think her best basketball is ahead of her as well
Mackenly Randolph – 2024 – 6-0 – Forward – Sports Academy Swish 17 EYBL – Pulling strong rebounds like her pops did in the league…Plenty of offensive tools in her bag…Footwork is elite…Vocal leader…Has grown her game year over year, so expect more of the same
Alexis Riggs – 2026 – 5-11 – Wing – Team Final – Plenty of athletic tools…Driver first…Runs in transition game…Some big takes to the rim in the championship game…Tips the ball to herself…Played well, climbing the ladder lately
Ryleigh Roberson – 2026 – 5-10 – Wing – IBall Elite 2025 – One of the biggest young sleepers here…Range about to the arc but a driver first and foremost…Can finish with either hand and has a variety to choose from…Can go on a solo scoring spree…Stat stuffer…Some big time assists…Magnet for contact…Little bit of a backyard style of play but not complaining
T’Anna Saddler – 2025 – 6-1 – Forward – TTG Free Agents – Stocky forward…Light on her feet…15 ft jumper…Handles like a guard…Went coast to coast some
Qandace Samuels – 2027 – 6-0 – Wing/Forward – Team Takeover 15 – Has really leveled up…The physical prowess runs in the family…Making some big time things look easy now though…Handles like a guard…Zipping 1 hand passes around in transition…Squares up off the jab and sticks the contested 3…Sprints and slides her feet like a guard
Alexa Schwartz – 2025 – 5-7 – Point Guard – Miami Suns Team KiKi 15 – One of the most energetic players in the building… Good in traffic…Defends well…Like how hard she plays…Made some really nice passes
Anovia Sheals – 2024 – 5-10 – Wing – Essence Wheelerkids 16 EYBL – Long on D, and cuts off the baseline drive well…Takes steals the other way for a bucket…Speedy…Like her turnaround J and the pull up game is coming…Hit the three off the catch
Sidney Smith – 2026 – 5-3 – Point Guard – New Heights NYC Blue 2026 – Nice young PG, just still really small right now…Elusive and definitely has some sauce…Handles well and can penetrate to the paint often…See how much she grows
Taylor Sofilkanich – 2026 – 6-3 – Forward – Jersey Gemz 14 – Hard to overlook her walking by a court…Can catch and score…Still needs to develop physically but one to keep an eye on…Face up and drive from the short corner is already there
Chloe Spreen – 2024 – 5-9 – Guard – Lady Gym Rats 17 EYBL – Skilled competitor who is willing to do whatever her team needs to win…Really decisive off the dribble…Dynamic scorer, doing more than just shooting i…Plays to win…Has a strong sense of what’s about to happen and adjusts accordingly
Blanca Thomas – 2024 – 6-5 – Post – Carolina Flames 17 EYBL – Has gotten stronger physically, making her even more of a nuisance for opponents…Active post defender…Will take the elbow jumper…Raising plenty of eye brows and the club season is just getting started
Laura Williams – 2024 – 6-2 – Forward – Fairfax Stars 17 EYBL – Picking up some steam as she continues to grow her game…Really earns her keep out there even against the top flight competition…Active defensively and has a good understanding of her positioning
Regan Williams – 2024 – 6-2 – Forward – Missouri Phenom 16 EYBL – Great wingspan…Runs the floor…Finishes through contact…Will face up in high post and has a strong grasp of her move set…Good mindset…Soft touch on put backs from all the O boards
Sahara Williams – 2023 – 5-11 – Wing Forward – All Iowa Attack 17 EYBL – Athletic ability adds a couple inches, and the heart and hustle adds about a foot the way she plays…Board battler…Tough as nails…Pins shots like it’s nothing…A mismatch offensively, pulling bigs away from the basket
Zaniyah Williams – 2026 – 5-8 – Point Guard – Kentucky Premier 16 EYBL – Mature 8th grade PG…Playing up and standing out…Makes it happen off the dribble…Creates tons of separation…Likes to shift it into attack mode
Jordan Wood – 2023 – 6-5 – Forward – Midwest Elite 17 EYBL – Tough to get clean looks with her closing out on you…The wingspan is scary…Skills to play on the perimeter and stretch the D with the three…High output player, knows how to play and what to do
Mia Woolfolk – 2024 – 6-2 – Forward – BWSL 17 EYBL – Like how she sits down and guards on the perimeter…Uses all that length on D…Good stroke at the foul line…Gets up around the backboard to rebound and score
Jadyn Wooten – 2024 – 5-6 – Point Guard – Missouri Phenom 17 EYBL – Nice elevation in the mid range…Can use off ball screens to get open…Playing the PG spot well here
