From the Eyes of the Eval Table: Spring Club Ball in Texas - So Far (1/2)

In the interest of sharing some insight from the eyes of the “evaluation table” here are some things we’ve seen over the last few weeks on the floor that can be addressed to make the game better and the quality of play continue to rise as we all build toward the NCAA Spring Evaluation Period and of course, into July – the main stage for NCAA Evaluation and Recruiting.
 
Also, we will highlight some players in a few different categories that have been outstanding in their own respective ways.  
 
Fouling
 
 We acknowledge that there are a couple of factors that lead to this:
 

1. Inconsistent Refereeing
2. The 6 foul limit/bonus on 10 rules that a lot of events have in place

 
These things do not help players to understand and value being able to play without fouling. 1) It makes play choppy. 2) It puts their playing time in jeopardy.
3) It puts the opponent in the bonus.
 
Players: get in stance, play with your hands up, move your feet, and start to understand angles. Can you keep the ballhandler in front of you without touching them? At the next level, your second touch is an AUTOMATIC foul.
 
Defensive Rotation and Effort
 
To keep with the defensive scheme, we heard far too many coaches begging for their players to simply get to mid line when the ball moved. In fairness, there was some impressive ball pressure this weekend ( MacKenzie Green, Harmony Turner, and Endyia Rogers to name a few..), but the disinterest off the ball was less than impressive (not saying from those players, but in general).  
 
Players: You should never come out of your defensive stance while guarding.. it helps with your awareness and reaction time when your opponent runs their offensive schemes. It also speaks volumes about your competitiveness and intentions on the floor. 90% of the game is played without the ball in your hands..
 
A few concepts that should be a given - aka simple Basketball 101:
 

1. Jumping to the ball to get in a help position
2. The “help the helper” concept and execution
3. Specific defensive talk
4. High hands on a close out
5. Ball Screen D – some kind of strategy and communication

 
 
Over Dribbling
There are a lot of players out there with a very good handle – but the best ones dribble efficiently and make moves to get downhill without over dribbling. One player that stood out that has improved her handle in small space is Jordyn Oliver – once she gets those shoulders by her defender’s hips.. it’s a wrap!
 
More players have to learn how to play out of a jab or a shot fake vs putting the ball on the floor when they catch it all of the time. A direct drive + a counter move is just as affective as the sexy dribble combo..
 
It is hard to teach players to dance with the ball – they either have a natural knack for it or they don’t. It is clear that a lot of players are practicing multiple dribble moves, but the application isn’t always appropriate. Footwork is key – and if you have good footwork and have worked on your creative handle, you’ll be able to dance with it a little bit. BUT – don’t forget about the simple jabs and ball fakes that can help you get to the paint to create scoring opportunities.
 
Fanfare over “almost plays”
 
Basketball is an entertaining game for sure and who doesn’t love to see a great play? But, there was quite a bit of celebration of a lot of “almost plays” that did not quite get the job done. And many of those “almost plays” were actually bad decisions by the players that consequently put their teams into disadvantage situations in transition defense – in fact in a conversation Shane had with a well known and respected high school and club coach as they compared things from the weekend.. both of their teams took shots that acted as outlet passes and assists.. for the other team. Shot selection and decision making are “control-ables”.. and to win at the highest level consistently, you have to control the things you can control.
 
Fanfare is one thing. Being a great player is another. Degree of difficulty doesn’t go on the scoreboard. Some of the truth in evaluations gets lost because of a few outstanding plays vs the simple but constantly effective. See: Kayleigh Truong – seems to always make the right play!
 
Shooting
 
This cannot be understated. Quite frankly, shooting percentages are too low. The act of shooting basically defines and separates the game of basketball from other sports.. so get better at it.
 
Shooting is a skill and skills take time to master. They take deliberate reps – mindful and deliberate reps. If you are not making the majority of your unguarded shots when you practice, you need to change something! Many times it starts in the base and other times it has to do with the release point. Get in the gym and practice shooting!


   
Sarah Andrews (2020) – She is just at another level.. and always has another gear. She is the key piece that makes ProSkills go. The motor and competitiveness are at an all time high and so is her ability to knock down the 3-ball. She is strong and finishes at the rim in a variety of ways with either hand. The confidence she brings to the floor carries over to her teammates as she makes them better. Defensively, she gets after the ballhandler with relentless pressure.. A lot of young players get identified early as having potential – she is far more than potential. She has some flare to her game, but does not rely on the highlight play.. her game is based on fundamental skills coupled with her natural physical abilities and her hunger to get better.
 
Liz Scott (2019) – The thing that jumps out about Liz is that she always plays HARD. She is a matchup problem because of her natural strength and mobility at the forward position. She really attacks the glass. Her handle is improved and so has her shot. As with many players trying to find their niche, she tries to make plays that aren’t there right now, but that will improve. It is hard to keep her from getting to the paint, so as she expands her ability to rise and shoot the pull up, she can really be a matchup issue at the next level.
 
Kayleigh Truong (2019) – Package of fundamental skills and basketball IQ!! She is a tremendous passer – whether in transition, the extra pass, or post entry, she can make the correct decision and pass. She is a knock down 3-ball shooter and knows how to use that as the base of her game in a close out situation. She can handle and set up a defender to get the angle she needs for the play she needs to make.. And her footwork.. impeccable!! Defensively, angles and rotations are second nature..
 
Jordyn Oliver (2019) – Jordyn has turned herself into a real playmaker. She has a natural strength and athleticism that many don’t have.. She has made the pull up jumper a true weapon and the 3-ball is gaining more and more respect. She rebounds tremendously at the guard position.. She has tightened the handle and at her size, once she gets her shoulders by her defender, the opponent is in trouble. She has battled some nagging injuries in the past, but has had a nice string of health over the last calendar year and it has made a difference.
 
Jaden Owens (2019) – True PG status. Sees the floor, can measure the balance and make reads and plays. Very vocal with her team.. this really makes her standout. She is positive and helps them through when needed. She has gotten quicker and sharper off the bounce and the 3-ball is nice. In the conversation for the best player in her class in Texas.
 
Deja Kelly (2020) – There are shooters and there are KNOCK DOWN shooters and Deja is the latter… You simply have to be there on the catch and almost cannot help in any circumstance.. so that really opens up the floor for her teammates. She can just flat out shoot it… many hours in the gym. She can put it on the deck and doesn’t try to overdo anything… remains very poised at all times. She has improved defensively especially on the ball with more ball pressure.
 
Kennedy Brown (2020) – Continues to add to her game.. Has become a force on the glass. A player with her size that is such a great passer and understands and communicates the game so well is rare.. She stretches the D with the ability to knock down the perimeter shot as well as drive the ball from the HP. She takes pride in the fact that she can guard a smaller opponent on the perimeter – she gets in stance and uses her length to keep them in front and challenge any shot they may take. The strength on the block is improving… great stamina for a big.
 
Harmony Turner (2020) – Relentless on ball defender.. Fearless on the offensive end and is an attack style combo guard; passes the ball with flare at times.. She is not afraid to take the big shot. As her PG skills improve in terms of being someone who can run a team and lead a team, she can be a big asset for the next level.
 
Endyia Rogers (2019) – Attack style PG with the ability to knock down the 3, the mid-range off the dribble, and has some nice floater game as well.. As a PG I would like to see her be more vocal and truly control her team at times, but she has some things that you cannot teach – can put the ball in the bucket. She is a pest on the ball defensively as well..
 
Gabby Gregory (2019) --  Gabby has turned herself into a knock down shooter from the perimeter.. Add that to the strength and grit that she has always brought to the floor and you have someone who can just go and get a bucket when needed. She is strong and durable and rebounds wonderfully from the guard spot. She scores from three levels, punishes opponents for putting her on the free throw line, and guards multiple positions on the floor.
 
 
**Young Ones:
 
Jada Malone (2021) – Great frame, good hands, and a solid base of skills for a power forward type that can stretch the floor projecting to the next level.. As a young one, obviously she needs to gain some strength and is being introduced to the pace of high level basketball right now.. Would expect she’ll be in better shape before July rolls around. One to know..
 
AJ Marotte (2021) – Wiry and athletic big guard that has really blossomed over the last year.. The 3-ball is there and she finishes well at the rim.. She is bouncy and really gets on the glass on both ends. Shows flashes of being an effective slasher with her length and athleticism and that paired with the fact that she can knock down the 3 is a problem. She is learning how to be her most effective on the defensive end.. Get a look.
 
Jasmine Shavers (2021) --  Young player who first and foremost plays hard.. She has a competitive mentality and a toughness to her that you can’t teach. She D’s up and can attack in multiple ways offensively. She has been showing well this spring.
 
Jordan Newsome (2021) –  Player with all the tools.. showing more consistency, something we’ve been waiting for. Attacks the rim hard and finishes well through contact. Her activity level is high – a trait that sets her apart from others.
 
Kendall Hunter (2021) --  Deep three ball range – but may need to work on the shot selection at times, but can’t knock the confidence. She can handle the ball and break down a defender. She is learning to play hard all the time, but has shown she will have the ability.
 
 
**You many not know, but need to:
 
Sahara Jones (2020) – Long and wiry and her jumper is improved even from the HS season. She can create off the dribble naturally and uses her size to finish in the paint.. Expect her game to continue to refine as the club season progresses.
 
Shay Holle (2020) – As athletic as they come at the guard/wing spot. Truly skies for rebounds and in the open court, it is hard to keep up with her. She is refining her overall skill, but is showing flashes of the jumper coming into shape.. When an athlete like this is introduced to a higher level, expect improvement from the experience alone. Makes a major difference on the defensive end..
 
Mikayla Hutchinson (2019) – Talented guard with excellent basketball instincts.. is learning the art of leading a team from the PG position in terms of decision making and how to put teammates in good positions; has great footwork on finishes in transition and in the paint.. Is a very high level defender at times.. makes plays and gets tips on the ball. She will garner more attention this club season.
 
Emani Jenkins (2020) –  Right now, a very good knock down spot up shooter. She has an edge and confidence to her that will help her as she continues to develop. She seems to know how to get to the right spots to get the perimeter shot up and it is nice and crisp. She is a good sized guard – keep an eye out.
 
Destiny Rice (2019) – Strong and aggressive guard.. Solid handle and finisher. Looks like her defensive focus has improved.
 
Anzhane Hutton (2020) – Active and athletic forward.. good size and length; Skills are coming around, but her true separator is her activity level especially on the glass.
 
Kate Petrovic (2019) –  A very nice complimentary forward who truly spaces the floor as she can knock down the 3-ball – especially from the corner. She moves well without the ball. This can be a big summer for her on the big stage.
 
Taylor Morgan (2020) – Plays hard and has a solid fundamental base of skills. Playing a bigger role on her team and carrying more weight this spring.. Can definitely shoot the basketball. Becoming a more effective defender.
 
** Premier Basketball Report subscribers should expect full evals on these players and more in our reports and within our database as you prep for the April NCAA Eval Period.