DALLAS, Texas—Normally an exciting four days in Texas, the opening of the 2016 NCAA July Evaluation period was marred by the tragic and senseless shooting of police officers that rocked Dallas and the nation Thursday night. The event, which took the lives of five men in uniform, led to flags around the city being flown at half-staff and serious conversations about the landscape that might lie in front of us as a society. The protests and shootings were located a considerable distance from the playing sights and had no impact on the either 2016 Big State Flava Jam or the Premier Basketball Super 64. At the same time it’s hard to imagine anyone in Dallas the last couple of days not leaving town just a little bit shaken by the events that made headlines across the country. All of us representing Mike Flynn, Blue Star Media, Blue Star Report and USJN offer our most sincere condolences and prayers to the families, friends and colleagues of those who lost their lives.
While chaos was reigning downtown, basketball was still being played in Grapevine and Frisco. Blue Star Media hit the ground early getting two days in at the Flava Jam before heading north for the final two days of action in the Super 64. The 11th annual Big State Flava Jam featured 143 teams with players representing 16 different states. The Super 64 is in its 9th year and brought in 256 teams with 20 different states represented on the rosters. Most college programs do the “double header” and between the two events over 400 recruiters were roaming the Texas sidelines through the finals Friday afternoon. For results, follow the links below to the respective events and their web sites.
Flava Jam
http://www.texasbigtymegirlssports.com/FlavaJam1Schedules
Super 64
With so many teams and plenty of talent we’re going to share with you a combined collection of quickhitters from our trip to Dallas. Some we’ve seen before and others for the first time. They’re in alphabetical order and shouldn’t provide any fodder for those overthinking minds analyzing who was and wasn’t included. It’s physically impossible to see them all and, while this list provides some of the top players on hand, it in no way represents a complete list of “the best” in the gym.
Mariah Adams – 2018 – 5-10 – Guard – Arkansas mavericks – Long, thin guard…Creates both shots and passes off the dribble…Efficient in traffic
Sarah Andrews – 2020 – 5-7 – Point Guard – Lady ProSkills – Ball skills and confidence…Attacks on the break and in the halfcourt…Pushes off make, miss and turnover…Sees the floor…Continues to mix up her speed and direction…Needs to use the left on penetration to protect the ball…Assertive on ball defensively
Hanna Beckman – 2019 – 5-9 – Guard – Arizona Select – Ability to create is there…Navigates traffic in transition…Spot up shot is sound…Decent on ball defender
Caitlin Bickle – 2018 – 6-2 – Forward – Arizona Select – One of the more well-rounded games we’ve seen…Willing to do the blue collar work…Strong passer from the post…Workhorse on the glass…Perimeter shot is beginning to show promise…Will be difficult to outwork her
Aijha Blackwell – 2019 – 5-11 – Combo – Team St. Louis – Explosive young athlete…Has lots of tools…Plays with plenty of effort…Ballhandling is sound but will need to continue to be sharpened…Crossover…Aggressive defender on and off the ball…Watch closely
Lauryn Bowie – 2017 – 5-11 Wing/Forward – Duncanville Pantherettes – Attacking and athletic…Small forward but can get to the rim…Can handle traffic
Amaya Brown – 2018 – 5-10 – Guard – New Mexico Heat – Athletic with some length…Can create off the dribble…Fluid on her cut…Pull up is there but jumper needs slight refinement for consistency…Lateral footspeed on defense…Plays with effort
Madison Couch – 2017 – 5-9 – Guard – B.E.A.S.T. Elite – Physical guard…Strong skills and instincts…Decent individual skills…Deceiving first step makes up for average speed…Gets on the offensive boards…Level??
Cailee Crawford – 2021 – 5-9 – Combo – NM Clippers – Young with lots of promise…Size and build for age…Individual skills are there…Got to the rim and finished in traffic…Watch
Miya Crump – 2018 – 6-0 – Wing/Guard – Houston Hoops – Active…Penetrates with strong interior passing…Vertical is there…Steps into her perimeter shot to a degree…Defends
Astrid Doennem – 2018 – 6-1 – Wing – BIG Basketball Academy – Size and build…Decent ball skills…Active without…Should brow and fill out…Watch
Maya Dunson – 2018 – 5-10 – Guard – All Ohio Express – Lefty…Physically strong…Some individual skills…Speed and quickness are sound but need to eveolve
Elauna Eaton – 2020 – 5-11 – Guard – Arkansas Mavericks – Blue Star 30 – Lefty…Impressive size and strength for age…Utilizes change of speed and direction well…Explosive first step…Elevates…Needs to be more active without the ball
Queen Egbo – 2018 – 6-3 – Post – Cy-Fair Premier – Size and build…Lots of strength…Worked well around the rim…Runs the floor well for size…Plays defense after the catch but willing to be physical
Amanda Ferry – 2019 – 5-10 – Guard – Blue Star Houston Skyrise – Quick and athletic…Plays with some length…Will defend…Left hand will need some attention
McKenzie Forbes – 2018 – 6-0 – Swing – Arizona Select – Deep skill set to go with size and build…Still got to the rim but utilized the pull up more…Playing more physical this spring and summer…Confidence is growing…Tools are there to be an impact defender
Myra Gordon – 2020 – 6-0 – Wing – Texas United – Showing more length…Looking to develop her own opportunities off the dribble and the cut…Takes it into traffic but spots up with consistency…Continues to impress
Vivian Gray – 2017 – 6-0 – Wing – Texas Elite – Back in form after a tough trip to the USA Trials…Creating more off the dribble…More assertive on the catch…Reading on penetration making sharp decisions…Always learning
Nyah Green – 2019 – 6-0 – Guard – San Antonio’s Finest – Penetrating with more consistency…Forces the passing in side at times but can create options for teammates as well…Elevating on her pull up…Crossover is becoming lethal…Showing the consistent improvement that can set players apart
Zarielle Green – 2018 – 6-1 – Wing – DFW T-Jack – Seemed back on track after a brief plateau…Was a factor in transition and halfcourt…Lots of effort on both ends and the glass…Still among the elite in the class
Gabby Gregory – 2019 – 6-0 – Guard – OK PWP Elite – Young guard with sound skills…Solid build…Aggressive and makes plays
Jalesa Gross – 2018 – 6-1 – Forward – Oklahoma Stars – Athletic with some ballhandling…Solid build…had some moments…Got to the rim
Emma Halverson – 2018 – 6-2 – Forward – Texas Elite – Solid build with some size…Has been coached…Good understanding…Strong passer with some ballhandling…Gets on the offensive boards
Jordan Hamilton – 2017 – 5-8 – Point Guard – DFW T-Jack – First step…Penetrating with consistency…finished with contact…Could be adding some length…Advancing her play
Nala Hemingway – 2019 – 5-6 – Point Guard – DFW Elite North – Young point…Lots of speed with the ball in her hands…Strong control…Has promise
Ireneshia Johnson – 2017 – 5-11 – Guard – Houston Hoops – Impressive effort…Strong power guard…Deceiving first step…Attacks with authority…Can hit from range…Tools to be physical…Major promise…On the radar but not like she should be
Taylor Jones – 2019 – 6-4 – Post – Urban Heroes – All the tools…Size, build reach…Very impressive speed for size…Agility is there on cuts…Post hard and understands angles…Keeps it high…Persistent on the boards…Works…Long line formed already
Jamilyn Kinney – 2018 – 5-7 – Point Guard – AAO Banshees – Slight build…Smart and skilled…Creates off Penetration…Interior passing is well read…Form is there on shot…Strength will have to come
Kristen Kleymeyer – 2019 – 5-7 – Combo – TWE 2019 – Slight build…Could grow…Ball skills are sharp…Change of speed and direction…Floater…Has form on shot…Young
Bailey Lewis – 2019 – 6-6 – Post – HG Elite Max – Lots of size and length…Mechanical at this point but still young…Screens…Could use more conditioning…Tools
Madeline Loder – 2018 – 5-10 – Guard – Minnesota Fury – Has size and length…Ballhandling helps her slash in traffic…Passing and decisions are sound in half and transition…Form on shot is solid
Chloe Marotta – 2018 – 6-0 – Forward – Flight Elite – Physical small forward…Blue collar work ethic…Strong…Text skills…Active…Puts herself in the middle of the action
Taylor McAulay – 2019 – 5-11 – Guard – Minnesota Fury – Lean, young guard…Lefty…Sees the floor…Active with and without…Nice stroke…Should fill out and gain strength with age
Jordyn Merritt – 2020 – 6-2 – Forward – Lady ProSkills – Blue Star 30 – Active with size and length…Ran the floor…Willing to mix it up but strength will have to come…Showed off a jump hook…Willing to work at it
Terryn Milton – 2018 – 5-8 – Combo – OK PWP – Smooth, fluid guard…Uses change of speed effectively…Acceleration…Reads and creates…Somewhat forward on her shot
Alexis Morris – 2017 – 5-7 – Point Guard – DFW T-Jack – Consistency and production…Created her own looks in the halfcourt time and again…Distributed the ball in transition…Playing with a strong maturity in her game
Diamond Morrison – 2018 – 5-5 – Point Guard – Austin Elite RFW – Stocky but strong point guard…Ball skills serve her well…Penetrates but has a pull up
Quincy Noble – 2018 – 5-10 – Guard – Texas Elite – Length at the guard spot…Looking to drive more and settle less than in the past…Crossover is working for her…Shot was off but for was sound…Works on ball defensively but could turn it up on the weakside
Jordyn Oliver – 2019 – 5-11 – Guard – Texas United – Handling the ball more efficiently…Can create her own looks off the dribble…Physically stronger and making more plays at both ends…Taking it to the next level
Trinity Oliver – 2017 – 5-9 – Guard – Texas Elite – Athletic, strong and quick…Develops options in transition…Lots of speed with the ball…Pull up had its moments…Got on the glass from the perimeter
Michaela Onyenwere – 2017 – 6-1 – Swing – New Mexico Heat – Size and athleticism…Can work at the four or three…Has explosiveness with the ball…Step back is there…First step gets her space…Floater…Tools and promise coming to fruition…Colorado POY
Kayla Owens – 2017 – 6-1 – Wing/Forward – Cy-Fair Ogwumike – Strong performance…Attacking and developing options off the dribble more…Looking for her shot…Got on the boards with some authority…More assertive on both ends
Chasity Patterson – 2017 – 5-5 – Point Guard – Cy-Fair Ogwumike – More productive scorer in first game out…Created her own looks time and again…Reading defenses on the dive better and better…Touch is sharp mid-range to deep…Set out second game as precaution for a sore ankle
Lauren Peoples – 2017 – 5-9 – Wing – AAO Banshees – Active with deep skill set…Instincts are there to make plays…Competes…Deceivingly physical on defense
Catherine Reese – 2018 – 6-2 – Forward – Texas Elite – Active at both ends…Lean build doesn’t stop her from posting and attacking down low…Cuts hard high to low or block to block…Creates her own at times…Strong passer from the high post or trail spot…A presence on the glass…Strength and bulk will have to come
Micaela Ryan – 2018 – 6-0 – Guard/Wing – I-90 Elite – Long and lean…Created options for herself and teammates off the dribble…Spot up shot was there…Has promise
Jordan Sanders – 2017 – 5-11 – Forward – Della Lamb – Explosive small forward…Aggressive on the catch…Can develop her own looks…Lots of versatility…Makes plays…Vertical…Can hit from 15 feet…Not quite ready for the #3 yet
Bre’Amber Scott – 2017 – 5-11 – Wing/Forward – Arkansas Mavericks – Creates effectively off the dribble…Hesitation serves her well…Has lots of strength that works well on the perimeter…Gets on the glass…Consistency has evolved from a year ago
Madison Smith – 2019 – 5-8 – Guard – I-90 Elite – Has length at guard…Ballhandling is sharp…Crossover is there…Shot is somewhat out in front…works on defense
Nalyssa Smith – 2018 – 6-4 – Forward – San Antonio’s Finest – Has added length and strength…Setteling in as a #4…Putting it on the floor some…Even showed a step back…Played with a renewed intensity…Competed on the boards…Was a bigger factor defensively
Kaylynne Truong – 2019 – 5-8 – Guard – Blue Star Houston Skyrise – Young with some size and skills…Crossover is there…Gets out in transition…Passing…Sees the floor
Kayleigh Truong – 2019 – 5—9 – Guard – Blue Star Houston Skyrise – Active with and without the ball…Effective making things happen on the break…Understands the game well for her age
Jaden Vaifanua – 2019 – 6-1 – Forward – Lady Flames Elite – Nice size and frame…Active…Gets out and runs the floor…Had some moments…Needs to sharpen passing skills
Mallory Vaughn – 2017 – 6-4 – Post – OK PWP Elite – Size with frame…Textbook skill set…Works but can get up and down…Decent touch for size
Lindzie Walker – 2019 – 5-11 – Wing/Forward – DFW Elite – Solid size and build…Decent athleticism…Penetrated…Pull up is there
McKenna Warnock – 2018 – 6-1 – Wing/Guard – Flight Elite – Size on the perimeter…Second time we’ve seen her…Can take the ball and make something of nothing…Not afraid of getting hit…Will mix it up on defense and get on the glass
Autumn Watts – 2019 – 6-0 – Forward – CBC Elite Adidas – Active, athletic forward…Strong…Gets on the boards…Cuts hard…Has tools but young
Kayla Wells – 2017 – 6-1 – Combo – Texas United – Attacking more than in the past…Length serves her well in the backcourt…Ballhandling is sound but choices need to evolve more…Distributes well in transition…Could be an impact defender at the next level
Madison Williams – 2018 – 6-0 – Forward – Texas United – Strength and explosiveness…Plays with a rare intensity…Physical doesn’t bother her…Vertical is exceptional…First step will get her by most…Perimeter shot will need consistency to keep defenders honest…Simply makes plays
Mahoganie Williams – 2019 – Wing/forward – Louisiana Lightning Boltz – Length and athleticism…Has some ball skills…Can also post up…Versatility in her game…Young
Sierra Williams – 2020 – 5-9 – Guard – JYD Teal – Young…Solid ball skills…Aggressive off the catch…Navigates traffic well…Willing to scrap and compete
Alexis Wilson – 2017 – 6-3 – Forward – Texas Top Prospects – Size and build…Still a work in progress…Thoughts are becoming reactions
Micaela Wilson – 2017 – 6-1 – Forward – DFW T-Jack – Athletic lefty…Can step out some…More a four than a three…Shot selection?…Can make an impact with consistency
Jazmyn Womack – 2018 – 5-10 – Wing/forward – Louisiana Lady Select – Size, build and athleticism…Has the ability to create off the dribble…works hard without the ball
Jayla Young – 2018 – 6-1 – Forward/Post – AD Elite Future – Long and athletic…More a forward but some ballhandling is there…Active with and without the ball…Plays with energy…Has strong moments
Tiara Young – 2018 – 5-8 – Point Guard – Louisiana Lightning Boltz – Quick and athletic…Attacks with speed and quickness…Acceleration is exceptional…First step and pull up are hard to defend…left hand needs to evolve…Sees the floor in transition…Strong effort
