Six 2021 Breakout Players Session 1 #AllEyezOnMe
My definitions are far different than what I see thrown around over and over on social media such as “can’t miss” “beast” or “real deal” and I just scratch my head when I read it, not too hard since I…
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Continue ReadingMy definitions are far different than what I see thrown around over and over on social media such as “can’t miss” “beast” or “real deal” and I just scratch my head when I read it, not too hard since I don’t have much hair left, yet my knowledge of this is second to none and that has nothing to do with me being involved in girls basketball for over 20 years, it’s because I can be objective as well as comprehend what I’m looking at and the countless times I’ve explained that the game is not what it used to be, as a whole, there are plenty of players with next-level potential and many are just grouped in together so here are some who have added since I first caught them or added during an event, like All Eyez On Me
2021
Shanna Petty-5’9 guard Houston Dream (Westside HS)
Petty has been known for her defense at her defense-oriented high school, how do I know, my daughter played there but I also coached Petty before she played in our program in elementary school and the head coach used t brag about this young lady so much I had to see her. The potential was there even back then and what I really loved about her was that she played hard and comprehended the game, fast forward that hard play elevated her into one of the top defensive guards in the area but her #AllEyezOnMe performance left me speechless as she was a nightmare to defend, scoring in transition, on the pull-up jumper or just taking defenders off the dribble in the half-court and finishing not only after the lick but acrobatically
Weade Adelke-6’0 forward Austin Elite (Vista Ridge HS)
Adelke always played hard and understood how to use her strength inside the paint, on both ends of the court yet she’s more poised and under control and was finishing with so strongly with players hanging on her and let me effortlessly to that, I was totally taken away. She continues to add something and her soft touch facing the basket gave her game an extra twist, yes she still rebounds on both ends but igniting the break on one end with an outlet pass after a rebound and outrunning everyone down the court to finish was an equally nice touch
Skyler Dunford-5’1 point guard (Sunnybrook HS)
Dunford falls into a category I used well over a decade ago after hearing everyone talk about height until I just went on a tangent and explained “size don’t matter” when you can play and watching this young lady fall into yet another category, heady point guard, tells you that she understands how to run a team, control tempo and get the ball to the right people at the right time but her ability to create her shot under pressure as well as her extended range has added more fuel to her fire
Deaija Brown -6’0 forward (Ellison HS)
Brown made her GPR debut with an impressive showing right off the top during the skills and drills session and I was taken away with her going after everything before the games started yet after they did, she took it to yet another level as she was overpowering on both ends. She understands positioning, she has good agility but her strength was just over the top and when you factor in her “good hands and footwork” she could conceivably play the 5 at the next level as well. She also creates her shot, that’s a bonus
Gabrielle Owens-5’11 forward Houston Dream (George Ranch HS)
Owens showed me a lot a long time ago and that was her hunger to be better and she’s pretty full now as every year, she comes back to the table showing me something different. Her defensive tenacity was always impressive as she dove on the floor, in the stands, ran into walls after loose balls and after doing that, someone asked was she, okay and I responded “you better check the wall” because you won’t outwork her and she will always give everything. Now the offense is clicking, she can score inside or facing the basket as well as handle it from the wing and attack
Caitlyn Burke-6’0 forward (Stony Point HS)
Burke is long and athletic and for those who have been paying attention, you already know I call that “the base” and like any base, you build from that and she showed through the event she as putting something together. She plays solid defense, wait, she’s active on defense as well, constantly moving and reading plays so that enabled her to “play the passing lane” but her upside hasn’t been scrapped, she will be an even better college player and you can archive that