The Classic Roundup: Most Versatile
The April live evaluation period kicked off this weekend and The Classic in Louisville was the destination for several clubs from Michigan. Programs such as 1Nation, Michigan Mystics , Michigan Storm and Michigan’s Finest had a heavy presence in several age…
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Continue ReadingThe April live evaluation period kicked off this weekend and The Classic in Louisville was the destination for several clubs from Michigan. Programs such as 1Nation, Michigan Mystics , Michigan Storm and Michigan’s Finest had a heavy presence in several age groups as they took the floor against some of the best competition in the country. In an era where position-less basketball is increasing by the day, versatility on both ends of the court is in extreme demand.
Here’s a look at the 4 most versatile prospects I viewed over three days at The Classic in Louisville:
Cameron Grant (2020/6’2/ Michigan Mystics Showtime)
Grant was a major factor in a Mystic win against Chicago Extreme on Friday night. Cameron caught my eye early in the first half when she grabbed a defensive board, proceeded to push the ball the length of the court and side stepped a defender before converting a layup. Those type of ball-skills aren’t something you typically see from a 6’2 prospect. The Macomb Dakota sophomore was also utilized as the playmaker at the free throw line area against the zone defense where she displayed nice vision and hit cutters for easy layups. Grant also scored on a few putbacks in the first half after attacking the offensive glass. Cam took her game to the post in the second half, where she used a nice drop-step to get space and finish with the off-hand with soft touch. As the double teams came, she once again showed good vision by finding her guards on kickouts. Grant has the look of skilled 4 at the next level with the ability to score and playmake with her back to the basket while handling the ball in the open court.
Kashyra Jackson (2019/6’0/Michigan Storm Elite Love)
On Saturday evening Kashyra put her stamp on the game versus Dayton Lady Hoopstars in almost every way imaginable. Offensively, she first drew my attention dribbling the ball up the court after coming up with a defensive rebound when she hit a defender with a behind the back dribble near mid court that created a ton of space before dishing off to her point guard. A few minutes later Jackson knocked down an 18 foot midrange jumper from the baseline on a kickout from a driving teammate. Kashyra likely had the best individual play I witnessed all weekend in the second half when she received the ball on the right wing, took a hard dribble left before a between-the-legs crossover that led to a stepback three that had the entire crowd buzzing. Later in the second half, Jackson displayed nice footwork in the paint with her back to the basket. She received a post entry pass on the right block, used a hard pivot and shot fake toward the middle to get the defender off her feet before going under for a layup that was a bit too hard off the glass………..but Kashyra came up with the offensive rebound and putback to complete the play. While she was a three level scorer on offense, her defensive versatility was just as impressive. Jackson looked superb guarding smaller players after switching, she moved her feet well and kept guards in front of her. She also played solid position defense in the post and rebounded the ball well. Kashyra has a lot of tools to work with and is a unique prospect that is best used a hybrid 3/4 wing/forward.
Eden Johnson (2019/6’2/Michigan’s Finest)
The first word that comes to mind when watching Eden is upside, and she has tons of it. As I arrived early to the Michigan’s Finest-Michigan Storm matchup on Sunday, Johnson stood out in the layup line with prototype height and length at 6’2 with a wingspan likely approaching 6’6……………….she passes the eye test for sure. And let me tell you, her skillset was equally impressive. Eden is a tremendous ballhandler for a prospect of that size, as she displayed the ability to change directions with the ball against pressure defense and handled the ball effortlessly in the open court. I was extremely impressed with her vision and passing ability. All game long, Johnson found open shooters and cutters on kickouts and dumpoffs once she forced a secondary defender with her penetration off the dribble. While she didn’t knock down any shots from distance, Eden looked comfortable and confident taking those attempts and I suspect she can stretch the floor at a decent clip. The Huron junior also hit the post and took advantage of mismatches on smaller defenders where she displayed the ability to finish with the off hand or draw fouls. As good as Johnson is offensively, her best attribute may be on the defensive end. With her length and lateral agility, Eden was extremely disruptive on the perimeter with several deflections and she also provided great rim protection by blocking and altering shots. The scariest thing about Johnson is that she’s not even close to reaching her full potential. She projects as a no-brainer mid-high major Division I prospect with a ton of long term upside.
Julia Ayrault (2019/6’2/ Michigan Mystics Dream Team)
The future Michigan State Spartan lived up to her reputation as a super-skilled prospect in a high-level game against the Toledo Thunder. Though she stands 6’2, Julia’s best qualities are perimeter based. She wasted no time going to work, hitting a triple off of pick and pop action after setting a screen. As the game progressed later in the first half, I couldn’t believe my eyes as Ayrault took over duties as the primary ballhandler for a decent stretch. If a 6’2 prospect filling the point guard role wasn’t surprising enough, the fact that she excelled as a facilitator out of high ball-screen action certainly was. Julia hit the roll man by threading the needle with bounce-passes or hit shooters on kickouts after penetrating the defense off the bounce with consistency. It almost defies logic to think that a 6’2 prospect can flourish as the floor general when matched up against a team with several Division I prospects, but that is exactly what Ayrault brings to the table. Defensively, Julia effectively used her length to block and alter shots on the perimeter and the paint.