Grassroots Preview: Kentucky Ballers Elite 2024

AAU is officially in full swing as teams are hitting the road for events already and more tournaments are on the way. Today we look at the 2024 Kentucky Ballers Elite squad out of London. <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width: 20%;">Name</td> <td style="width: 20%;">Height</td> <td style="width: 20%;">Position</td> <td style="width: 20%;">Class</td> <td style="width: 20%;">High School</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 20%;">[player_tooltip player_id="167102" first="Carly" last="Smith"]</td> <td style="width: 20%;">5'6</td> <td style="width: 20%;">CG</td> <td style="width: 20%;">2024</td> <td style="width: 20%;">Owsley County</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 20%;">Madison Curry</td> <td style="width: 20%;">5'8</td> <td style="width: 20%;">SG</td> <td style="width: 20%;">2024</td> <td style="width: 20%;">Clay County</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 20%;">Kaidence Collett</td> <td style="width: 20%;">5'8</td> <td style="width: 20%;">SF</td> <td style="width: 20%;">2024</td> <td style="width: 20%;">North Laurel</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 20%;">Jenna Creech</td> <td style="width: 20%;">5'8</td> <td style="width: 20%;">SF</td> <td style="width: 20%;">2024</td> <td style="width: 20%;">Jackson County</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 20%;">Marissa Douglas</td> <td style="width: 20%;">5'8</td> <td style="width: 20%;">G/F</td> <td style="width: 20%;">2024</td> <td style="width: 20%;">Whitley County</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 20%;">Kylee Brown</td> <td style="width: 20%;">5'8</td> <td style="width: 20%;">G/F</td> <td style="width: 20%;">2024</td> <td style="width: 20%;">Whitley County</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 20%;">Jaelyn Black</td> <td style="width: 20%;">5'3</td> <td style="width: 20%;">PG</td> <td style="width: 20%;">2024</td> <td style="width: 20%;">North Laurel</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 20%;">Saige McClure</td> <td style="width: 20%;">5'8</td> <td style="width: 20%;">G/F</td> <td style="width: 20%;">2025</td> <td style="width: 20%;">North Laurel</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 20%;">Chloe McKnight</td> <td style="width: 20%;">6'2</td> <td style="width: 20%;">C</td> <td style="width: 20%;">2024</td> <td style="width: 20%;">North Laurel</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 20%;">Gracie McKnight</td> <td style="width: 20%;">5'8</td> <td style="width: 20%;">F</td> <td style="width: 20%;">2024</td> <td style="width: 20%;">North Laurel</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 20%;">Aaliyah Lynch</td> <td style="width: 20%;">5'7</td> <td style="width: 20%;">G</td> <td style="width: 20%;">2024</td> <td style="width: 20%;">Owsley County</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> &nbsp; <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Player to Watch:</strong></span> [player_tooltip player_id="167102" first="Carly" last="Smith"]. Carly is a talented guard that started varsity as an 8th grader last season. Against players her own age, she can score nearly at will. Beyond that, Smith is an excellent passer with good floor vision and can defend multiple positions on the other end. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>X Factor:</strong></span> Chloe McKnight. She's already got impressive size at 6'2 but McKnight also has good hands capable of pulling down rebounds and finishing around the bucket with either hands. In addition to being a good shot blocker, Chloe also has range out to 15 feet on her jump shot. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Potential Surprise:</strong></span> Madison Curry. Capable of playing multiple positions, Madison is a good ball handler and passer. She uses her size to score over smaller defenders and can post up defenders or beat taller players off the dribble and attack the rim.