Top 5 Sophomores in Milwaukee
Top 5 Sophomores: Milwaukee Below is a list of the players in MILWAUKEE that were selected as the Top 5 prospects. Each of these players have had success thus far at the varsity and grassroot levels. These players have high…
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Continue ReadingTop 5 Sophomores: Milwaukee
Below is a list of the players in MILWAUKEE that were selected as the Top 5 prospects. Each of these players have had success thus far at the varsity and grassroot levels. These players have high ceilings to be even more successful during their next two seasons.
Nakiyah Hurst Nakiyah Hurst 6'0" | PF Milwaukee Academy of Science | 2022 State WI | 6’0 PF | Pius XI Catholic
Moore is a player I’ve covered all season long and is just super exciting to watch compete. She’s a gifted athlete that uses her size to take over games. She’s super strong in the paint and has a bag full of post moves. Moore has been playing with the Varsity squad for two seasons now and she continues to develop aspects of her game each time on the court. This season she finished averaging 12.1 points per game. She is relentless on the boards and keeps the ball high while fighting for put back baskets. A rebounding specialist for Pius XI, Moore averaged 8 rebounds per game. Moore is a defender to watch out for as she improves her footwork and her ability to block shots. During her sophomore campaign, Moore blocked 23 shots.
Ja’ Cia Cunningham | 5’8 PG | Milwaukee School of Languages
As a freshman, Cunningham showed glimpses of how great she could be. She averaged 11.7 points per game and finished second in scoring on her team. The point guard understood her role and became a floor general early on. She has great on-court vision and finds her teammates open with ease. She became the go-to facilitator for her team as she found unique ways to get her teammates involved. She averaged 5.7 assists during her freshman campaign. She continued to evolve during her sophomore season. Cunningham became the key scoring attribute for her team this season. She led her team in scoring averaging 12.9 per game. An outside shooting threat as well if left open, the sophomore made 18 three point baskets this season. She had some huge games down the stretch and put up big numbers for MAS. In a game against Milwaukee Madison, Cunningham scored 23 points in the win.
McClain Mahone McClain Mahone 5'5" | CG Madison Memorial | 2022 State WI | 5’5 CG | Milwaukee Riverside
Scruggs is an overall workhorse. Each time I’ve watched her play she gave 100% the entire game on both ends of the floor. She’s extremely athletic- a multiple sport athlete- so she sees a lot of minutes for Riverside. Defensively, she gets the job done. Scruggs is oftentimes guarding the opposing team’s best player as she is relentless with her on ball pressure. She’s range effective and will pop the shot from almost anywhere on the court. Scruggs is impactful from the perimeter but almost unstoppable when attacking the rim. She’s scrappy and uses her speed to get a quick shot off going to the basket. She also has a pretty impressive floater. The standout sophomore averaged 10.1 points per game and 2.2 steals per game. Scruggs scored 22 points in a win against Milwaukee School of Languages.
Malaya Hunter | 5’3 G | Milwaukee South
Hunter led her team in scoring this season. A talented guard who is frazzled by height and attacks the basket while creating contact. Hunter was a first team Milwaukee Blue selection this season. She plays with patience and poise on offense. She takes great shots on offense and doesn’t force anything. The guard averaged 12.6 points per game for her team. A sniper from beyond the arc, Hunter made 30 three point baskets. She impacts the game with the amount of speed she brings on the floor. She makes all the players around her play up-tempo and light on their feet. A great defender as well, Hunter is scrappy on the press break. In a game against Milwaukee Madison, Hunter scored a season-high 24 points.
Alvi Badberry | 5’8 G | Milwaukee Marshall/ Young Coggs
Badberry was selected as the Player of the Year in her conference this season. Just a sophomore, she plays with so much patience and poise on offense. Her handles are exceptional and she uses them to create her own shot on the perimeter. Badberry simply knows how to score the basketball. She uses a quick hesitation dribble and pulls up in transition, finishing with a smooth release. In transition she pushes the ball and attacks the contact. This season she led her team in scoring while also finishing second in the conference in scoring. Badberry averaged 21.9 points per game. She’s a fierce competitor and plays hard on both ends. Badberry is a great pressure defender and will definitely become the go-to defender for her team next season. She does a great job of staying patient and attacking the game on offense. In a game against Milwaukee Madison, Badberry scored a season-high 37 points.