Class of 2020 - TEXAS Recap

The 2020 class is a special one nationally. We are fortunate to have a steady stream of talent in Texas year in and year out and our 2020’s do not disappoint. Who are going to be the BEST at each spot in this class? The conversations and debates all have merit. This summer will show us. It is going to be big!
 
Sarah Andrews (ProSkills 17u EYBL) is the next in a long lineage of terrific point guards from Irving MacArthur HS and the state of Texas. In recent years, Odyssey Sims (Irv Mac/Baylor), Alexis Jones (Irv Mac/Baylor), Moriah Jefferson (Home School/UConn), and Chennedy Carter (Timberview/Texas A&M) have proven to be high level impact players at the collegiate and professional levels. Sarah is in the same types of conversations as a high school player as her predecessors were. Sarah has been playing at a different level since the 2 ^nd round of district play this year, and it will be interesting to watch her compete amongst the others in the loaded 2020 national guard class at the U17 USA trials later this month.

Joining Sarah in the backcourt is arguably the most skilled guard in the class in Texas commit Deja Kelly (ProSkills 17u EYBL). Deja has been putting up monstrous numbers for years and is one of the most versatile and consistent perimeter performers in the country. Deja’s shot-making ability combined with her ability to run a team will serve her well at the next level. The poise and calm she brings to the floor helps her teams to play with a maturity that leads to wins.

Harmoni Turner (DFW Elite 17u EYBL) has been on the scene for quite a while and continues to improve each & every season. Harmoni’s combination of skill, athleticism, and ability to make an impact on both ends of the floor will make her an instant coach and fan favorite at the next level. She has the element as an elite level competitor and it brings her a resilience that allows her to make plays.

Laila Blair (Cy-Fair 17u EYBL) is as pure a scorer as there is in the class. Laila’s ability to score on all three levels whether off the catch or bounce will be invaluable as she continues her career. Jewel Spear (Cy-Fair 17u EYBL) is a heady player who has one of the highest basketball IQ’s of any player in the state. Jewel busted out on the national scene at USA Trials last spring. Tamia Jones  (Proskills 17u EYBL) is as gritty as any player in the class. Tamia is an outstanding athlete who can really shoot the spot-up 3. Tamia’s ability to guard any position on the perimeter will make her an invaluable prospect in the class. There are not a lot of young players that show a more consistent effort defensively and Tamia takes great pride in her on ball defense. Taylor Morgan (UTLB Elite Jacobs) is a skilled lead guard who can shoot the deep 3 or create off the dribble. Taylor is an ultra-competitive spirit, who consistently performs on the elite level.



The depth in the 2020 class is at the wing/forward position. DeYona Gaston (HTX Fire 2019) is the ideal physical specimen on the wing. At 6’3”, DeYona shows flashes of pure brilliance. Gaston’s best days are in front of her and she has a chance to become a high-level impact player at the next level. She battled some injuries during the high school season this year, so we look for her to have a solid club showing all summer.  

Jordyn Merritt (Cy-Fair 17u EYBL) is as skilled as any wing in the class. Merritt’s ability to shoot or create off the bounce against bigger defenders makes her a matchup nightmare. She knocks down the corner three-ball at a nice clip and her post-up ability is a nice weapon. Merritt was vital in Plano’s run to the 6A state championship this year.

Myra Gordon (DFW Elite 17u EYBL) is the versatile “point forward” of the class. Myra has become increasingly more consistent as a scorer and when added with her ability to facilitate for others, will make her a highly-recruited prize prospect in the class. Her improvement defensively and in her conditioning is notable.

Sahara Jones (SA Finest Cee Lou) is quite possibly the most improved player in the class in the last year. Blessed with supreme length and athleticism, Sahara is a shot-maker who is also tough as nails on the defensive end. Jones competitiveness has stood out to us all spring. Her improved pull up jumper has taken her from a slasher/forward to a player that has to be respected on the perimeter.

Emani Jenkins (ProSkills 17u EYBL) is a shot-maker with terrific size. As Jenkins continues to get comfortable this summer, watch for her to bust out in July. Aja Holmes (SA Finest Cee Lou) is a sniper with size on the wing who also has the ability to put the ball on the floor and create. Tra’Liyah Washington (Lady Jets Platinum Elite) is one of the more underrated players in the class. Tra’Liyah’s smooth offensive game and ability to score on all three levels project well to the next level. Shay Holle (PBR Team Lex Platinum) is a spectacular athlete who continues to develop on the offensive end. Shay is quite possibly the fastest baseline to baseline player in the class and makes plays on both ends of the floor that can’t be taught. She is an elite offensive rebounder and is often tasked with guarding the opposing team’s best perimeter player.

Special shout-out to McKenzie Carter (HG Elite Watts): McKenzie has long been one of my favorites and will be back better than ever once recovered from her injury.

The best post in the class is Hannah Gusters (ProSkills 17u EYBL). Hannah has an elite frame with soft hands, terrific lateral movement and a will to be great. Hannah’s confidence has skyrocketed in the last year or so, and she has the ability to turn some heads at the U17 National trials later this month.

Fatou Samb (Cy-Fair Premier Blue) has elite size and athletic ability. Fatou has a very high ceiling, and as she improves from a skill and confidence perspective, will captivate the eyes of coaches across the country. She is showing the improved ability to finish with either hand and each time we see her play this spring, seems to have added a small element to her game.

Tommisha Lampkin (ProSkills 17u EYBL) has been injured this spring, but will be a vital piece to the success of ProSkills come July. Tommisha is relentless on the boards and very tough to guard from the high post with her ability to hit the mid-range jumper or attack off the dribble.

Adhel Tac (North Texas Lights Out) is a terrific defensive post player in the class. Adhel comes from a basketball family with two older sisters that have or are currently playing at the collegiate level. Adhel makes as much of a defensive impact as any player in the state. Anzhane’ Hutton (Drive Nation 17u) is a rebounding and defensive force. As Anzhane’ continues to develop her offensive game, watch out.

From a recruiting standpoint, this is a vital summer for these players. Having the opportunity to compete at the U17 USA trials will give several of them a unique platform and will give us some insight into their continued development. These players have shown the ability to play in college at their respective levels. They have a couple of months before July to refine their skills and take what they learned on the big stages they played on during the April Eval Weekend and improve.

What are we looking for? Improved skills, high-level conditioning and motor, improved decision making and basketball acumen, leadership and court presence, and the consistent ability to produce. The word “elite” is used a lot. And let’s say this: there is quite a bit of elite talent out there. We are waiting to see who the truly elite PLAYERS are. Showing the previously mentioned elements consistently over time will prove who those players are, case closed.
 
We get a lot of calls from college coaches prepping for summer after coming off an almost impossible to cover single weekend of the NCAA April Eval period. They want to know the emerging players and many use the phrase “under the radar” so they can get a jump and be aware of players showing promise. Our favorite element of all of this is using our platform to help players find opportunities. Here are some more names to know for the 2020 class:
 
Guards
Bobiana Hill (Texas Inferno)
Victoria Baker (GATA)
Presley Bennett (Cy Fair Premier)
Jayla Brooks (NTX Lights Out)
Jaedyn Dunn (Team Xpress)
Erin Fry (SA Finest)
Cayenne Mass (Team Xpress)
Jordan Webster (Pro Skills)
 
Wings/Forwards
Allysa LaFontaine (Cy Fair)
Bailee Chynoweth (Texas Elite)
Ash’a Thompson (Pro Skills)
 
Power Forwards/Posts
Trinity Curry (Texas Elite)
Alani Fluker ( SA Hoops Elite)
Zoe McCrary (Drive Nation)
Aaliyah Morgan (Cy Fair)
Nicole Leff (GATA)