2021 AAU Breakout Player of the Year: Chloe Dallas

2021 AAU Breakout Player of the Year: [player_tooltip player_id="132350" first="Chloe" last="Dallas"]<img class=" wp-image-198764 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/08/Chloe-Dallas-1-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="334" height="219" /> Breakout player of the year: [player_tooltip player_id="132350" first="Chloe" last="Dallas"] [program_tooltip program_id='715882' first='Wisconsin' last='Flight Elite'] | Wauwatosa East | 6'2 F [player_tooltip player_id="132350" first="Chloe" last="Dallas"] has been a player on the radar since starting her high school career. She's always had the height- but has grown tremendously in skill over the years. She's a great kid with phenomenal upside for the next level. During her junior season at Wauwatosa East, Dallas averaged 16.6 points and 9 rebounds per game. Eyes were on her as she led her team offensively and defensively- we knew she would have a highlight reel like summer. Entering the summer scene with Flight Elite- one of the most talented programs in the Midwest, Dallas was ready to face tough competition and prove she was one of the top players in her class. She did just that. She has a breakout tournament in Iowa where she dominated the boards and killed it offensively against the Nebraska Lasers. She has great height and a wingspan that gives her a great advantage to be an effective shot blocker and rebounder. Even if she is not blocking shots, she is still intimidating in the paint. She covers a lot of space with her length and alters many shots and passes inside. She is a powerfully built forward that easily will make an immediate impact in college. Dallas has a solid jump shot from fifteen feet and in. Her shooting form is well-structured for her size, giving her upside as a shooter in the future. Her pace in the post is impressive; Dallas can get the ball up quickly or utilize multiple pump fakes to score. This season she's focused on many aspects of her game, I asked Dallas about what she's working on most this summer and she said “Versatility!!! Being able to play more than one position year round. I'm trying to prove everybody wrong who doubted and put a limit on me.” She really has developed aspects of her game that I didn't think she'd focus on. Her handles are so impressive for her size and her ability to keep her head up and body balanced when attacking the rim is lethal. Dallas is sharpening her perimeter skills as she is most comfortable when attacking from behind the arc instead of scoring inside the post. We discussed how most teams guard her like she is a traditional post player- but are often taken back by how confident she is when handling the ball and bringing her defender out and taking her to the rim. A really cool mindset for someone her size and it worked perfectly in the five out system that was often run this summer with her [program_tooltip program_id='715882' first='Wisconsin' last='Flight Elite'] squad. She proved this summer she is a crafty finisher when contact presents itself. Soft hands allow her to be a reliable target for her teammates- her hands seem to absorb the basketball with ease. She is also a great passer out of the post; she frequently finds cutters and makes skip passes to the open man. Not only does this show her unselfishness, but it also shows how patient she is with the ball- she is in no rush to force an attack. Coordination is very impressive considering her size; most people her size cannot move as fluidly as her. She gets up and down the court well and loves to stretch the perimeter. Dallas models her game after Milwaukee Bucks Giannis Antetokounmpo. “Because at first nobody knew who he was or cared about him. But he showed everybody why they should pay attention. I've also been told our game is very similar. We both are working on our shooting (Dallas laughs), but we both are unstoppable when we need to be- especially at the rim.” I'd say the comparison is pretty spot on. Dominant, aggressive and fierce when the ball is in their hands. Dallas is one of the last uncommitted players in the Top 10 for Prep Girls Hoops. She plans on committing soon, in September, and has narrowed down her college list to five schools that have sparked her interest. The schools are as follows in no particular order: Colorado, Cleveland State, FAU, Morgan State, Kansas State and Washington. When considering where Dallas might land at the next level, she says many factors play a role but Dallas is focused on “Chemistry. I'm big on chemistry. I want a team that wants to get better. Gym rats like me. Put basketball first.” We are excited for a final season watching Dallas compete and congratulate her on a breakout season with [program_tooltip program_id='715882' first='Wisconsin' last='Flight Elite']. Runner Up: [player_tooltip player_id="132348" first="Bailey" last="Butler"] <img class=" wp-image-155946 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/03/Bailey-Butler-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="215" height="215" /> Wisconsin Academy | Black Hawk | 5'7 CG Butler is a versatile talent that can do a bit of everything. She's a three level scorer that can really put points on the board from anywhere. She has added so much craft to her game and a swag I didn't know she had. She utilizes impressive ball fakes in the lane in order to get defenders jumping, thus opening up easy bucket opportunities. When her back is to the basket, she plays with composure and her fade-away jumper has really improved. She burst onto the scene early in her high school career, but she has shown that she still can add to her game each time she steps onto the floor. Thus, the runner-up breakout player of the year accolade. Butler can finish with either hand around the rim, and she's surprisingly good at finishing through contact despite her slender frame. Passing skills, especially with one hand, are developed- this should help to make her an ample playmaker at the next level. Butler does most of her work in the lane, but has shown glimpses of being a spark-plug three point shooter. Her defense is elite. She is strong and her footwork is amazing. She knows how to turn the offensive player and make them work hard to get a shot off. She alters plays with her quick hands and ability to read the player. She is an exciting player to watch on both ends. Butler is committed to UW Green Bay. Honorable Mention: <img class="size-medium wp-image-179377 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/06/Generic-Featured-Image-3-300x187.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="187" /> [player_tooltip player_id="132349" first="Carley" last="Duffney"] | Purple Aces | 5'11 CG Duffney is a high level athlete that plays with an explosive and active motor at all times. With the capability to make a highlight finish or defensive stop on every play, Duffney is definitely a dynamic two-way player; she plays with high effort level and intensity. Duffney is committed to South Dakota. [player_tooltip player_id="132355" first="Sammy" last="Opichka"] | [program_tooltip program_id='715882' first='Wisconsin' last='Flight Elite'] | 5'11 CG Opichka is a dynamic play making guard with a high upside. She is great in the pick-and-roll and really developed her handles this summer. Her operation skills are superb in the pick and roll and using screens to create space. She has very elite vision in general and finds the open man often. She is a knock down shooter and confident setting up her shot behind the arc. Opichka is committed to St. Thomas [player_tooltip player_id="155416" first="Sarah" last="Lazar"] | Wisconsin Academy | 6'3 SF Lazar is an athletic forward with a very nice touch around the rim. She's a solid finisher on the block, as she can convert with either hand very well. She has a natural ability to read where the ball is going off a rebound- put-back finishes are expected with her in the game. A long wingspan allows her to be a great potent shot blocking threat and intimidation factor in the lane. Vision and passing skills in the midrange really stood out this season. She's good at finding cutters and distributing the ball. Oftentimes, post players can be a liability with the ball because they hold it for too long. Lazar is the opposite; she's purposeful with the ball. She shows flashes of being able to handle the ball on the perimeter and take her opponent off the dribble. Lazar is committed to St. Louis.