USJN - DC

348 teams from 28 states in the United States, Canada, and Great Britain converged on Washington D.C. to play in front of 700+ college coaches and officially kick off the 2 ^nd July evaluation period. Here are just a few of the outstanding players that caught my eye during the event.

2017 Megan Walker (VA-Boo Williams 16 EYBL) is considered by many to be the #1 player in the 2017 class. Walker continues to show why with her outstanding play. Walker creates for herself and others at will and really handles the balance of self vs team very well. There is no weakness in Walker’s game as she can shoot, handle, pass, guard multiple positions and rebound into transition very well. Walker’s overall game impact is college level ready and she will be an immediate impact player.

2018 Olivia Nelson-Ododa ( GA Metros 17 Gold Elite) is a skyrocketing player in the 2018 class and has jumped to my national #2. Nelson-Ododa’s combination of elite length, athleticism, and skill make her a near impossible cover for defenders. Nelson-Ododa’s improved footwork in the post combined with multiple counter post moves were impressive to watch throughout the tournament. Defensively, Nelson-Ododa does a terrific job of contesting/blocking shots without fouling and is a monster on the defensive boards. As Nelson-Ododa continues to add strength she will be one of the most sought after players in the class.

2019 Zia Cooke (OH-Sports City U17) is already on most college coach’s radar as an elite guard prospect in the 2019 class. Cooke is a dynamic ball handler with vision off the bounce. Cooke’s understanding of creating angles in order to get teammates open shot opportunities shows the maturity of a player well beyond her years. Cooke combines her outstanding ball handling & passing, with a smooth stroke from 3 and the ability to finish over and thru contact. Cooke has very good size and can guard either the 1 or 2. Cooke will be one of the premier guards in the 2019 class.

2020 Liz Martino (VA – Fairfax Stars 15 Showcase) is a young, outstanding wing in the class that is a name for all coaches to know. Martino’s combination of skill, size and athleticism is not something you see very often in a player this young. Martino is a dynamic ball handler and uses elevation to finish over and thru traffic. Martino has a fluid stroke from 3 and is outstanding in transition. Martino is a long, wing defender and a very good defensive rebounder with the ability to push into transition.

2021 Azzi Fudd (VA – Fairfax Stars 15 Showcase) is the best player I’ve seen in the class early on (yes, it’s too early to start ranking 2021’s). Fudd has it all – dynamic athletic ability, handles, shooting, finishing in traffic and in transition, game understanding, and the ability to guard on the perimeter and on the wing. Fudd is already a pretty complete player at a very young age and will only get better. Fudd is already on the radar of many of the top programs in the country.
 
Other standouts included 2018 Mckenzie Forbes (AZ – Select 17 Black), 2018 Taylor Chavez (AZ – Select 17 Black), 2017 Namiko Adams (CA – Oakland Soldiers 17), 2017 Julia Blackshell-Fair (CA – Oakland Soldiers 17), 2017 Laura Pranger (CO – BC Denver 17 Elite), 2019 Francesca Belibi (CO – Mile Hi Magic 17 Mattei), 2018 Kira Emsbo (CO – Rockies 17 Black), 2018 Camilla Emsbo (CO – Rockies 17 Black), 2018 Morgan Jones (GA – Metros 17 Gold Elite), 2018 Aaliyah Patty (IL – Lady Lightning 17 Platinum), 2018 Lindsey Jarosinski (IL – Lady Lightning 17 Platinum), 2019 Trinity Brady (IN – George Hill Lady Stars 16), 2018 Michaela White (IN – George Hill Lady Stars 16), 2017 Imani Guy (IN – Sky Diggs Elite 17 Huffman), 2021 Caroline Ducharme (MA – MCW Starz 15 Jesus), 2018 Janai Crooms (MA – Rivals 17 Black), 2018 Taylor Soule (MA – Rivals 17 Black), 2019 Chloe Chapman (MD – Lady Terps 17), 2019 Jakia Brown-Turner (MD – Team Takeover 15), 2017 Deja Church (MI – Crossover 17 EYBL), 2018 Mahogany Matthews (NC – Hoop Dreams Athletics 17), 2017 Amaya Finklea (NH – New England Crusaders 17 EYBL), 2018 Mikayla Markham (NJ – Central Jersey Hawks), 2019 Diamond Miller (NJ – Team Miller Lightning 16 Lance), 2019 Layne Ferrell (OH – Cincinnati Heat Premier 16 Sanders), 2019 Sammie Pulsis (OH – Cincinnati Heat Premier 16 Sanders), 2017 Sarah Leyendecker (OH – Cincy Swish 17), 2017 Maddie Stuhlreyer (OH – Cincy Swish 17), 2018 Taylor Mikesell (OH – Sports City U17), 2018 Abby Prohaska (OH – Sports City U17), 2018 Maggie Connolly (PA – Comets 16 Mcfadden), 2017 Gabriella Badway (PA – Drill for Skill 17 Miller), 2017 Sam Breen (PA – Drill for Skill 17 Miller), 2017 Andra Espinoza-Hunter (PA – Philadelphia Belles 17 Nike EYBL), 2017 Tamara Farquhar (QC – TW Bluehounds 17 Canada), 2018 Charli Collier (TX – Cy-Fair 17 Team Ogwumike), 2017 Chasity Patterson (TX – Cy-Fair 17 Team Ogwumike), 2017 Gabby Connally (TX – TeamXpress 17 Black), 2018 Stephanie Soares (TX – TeamXpress 17 Black), 2019 Ashley Owusu (VA – Boo Williams 16 EYBL), 2019 Tracey Hueston (VA – BWSL Richmond 16 Mcallister), 2019 Samantha Brunelle (VA – BWSL Richmond 16 Mcallister), 2017 Mykea Gray (VA – Fairfax Stars 17 Nike EYBL), 2017 Lindsey Pulliam (VA – Fairfax Stars 17 Nike EYBL),  and 2017 Malury Bates (VA – Spectrum Elite 17 Blue Star).