Chicago Hoops Express Workout Evaluations

As most have already seen on Twitter, two weeks ago I began covering various AAU Program’s workouts across the Chicagoland area. My first stop was with Chicago Hoops Express, who did not play on the circuit this summer, so it was great to see the development of several players within the program. Thanks to Coach Davis and the CHE Program for having me! <strong>2021 [player_tooltip player_id="11643" first="Makiyah" last="Williams"], 5’11” Guard, Trinity</strong> Williams has been a high-level prospect for a few years now and she has taken her game to a whole new level. The Marquette commit is comfortable bringing the ball up the floor and pushing the tempo in transition and always looks to score. Makiyah was on fire from beyond the three-point line with several deep shots from off the bounce and got in the lane with ease and finished well through contact. <strong>2022 [player_tooltip player_id="11460" first="Brianna" last="McDaniel"], 5’10” Guard, Kenwood</strong> The top ranked player in Illinois’ Class of 2022, McDaniel continues to show a consistently Elite all-around game. She is a strong ball-handler who has a nice balance of scoring and facilitating, especially in transition. Brianna is an outstanding shooter from deep and plays terrific on-ball defense with her strength and athleticism. <strong>2022 [player_tooltip player_id="78810" first="Whitney" last="Dunn"], 5’8” Guard, Kenwood</strong> Dunn is a proven Shooter from beyond the three-point line and showed a well-rounded game at the workout. She was confident with the ball in her hands and did a nice job attacking the lane from the wing and finishing among taller defenders. <strong>2022 [player_tooltip player_id="124864" first="Laila" last="Barakat"], 5’6” Guard, Stagg</strong> Barakat is a quick and shifty Point Guard with excellent handles that she likes to display in transition. She gets by her defender often and can make plays at the rim or knock down shots from three. <strong>2021 [player_tooltip player_id="77471" first="Lauren" last="Cohen"], 5’8” Guard, Glenbard South</strong> Cohen is a terrific Lead Guard who controls the pace of the game and makes sure her teammates are always in good position. The Illinois State commit is a knock-down shooter from deep and continues to show that she can attack the lane and make plays inside. <strong>2022 [player_tooltip player_id="203009" first="Lola" last="Lesmond"], 6’0” Guard, Evanston</strong> Lesmond has been known as a high-level three-point shooter, but her all-around game has reached an impressive new level. She handles the ball well and uses her strength and height to step in the lane and score over a variety of defenders. <strong>2021 [player_tooltip player_id="123406" first="Zoe" last="Belcher"], 5’10” Forward, Kenwood</strong> Belcher is a versatile Forward who can stretch the floor with her jump shot from mid-range and beyond the three-point line. The Southern Illinois University commit dominates the glass on both ends of the court and uses her athleticism and strength to guard multiple positions on defense. <strong>2021 [player_tooltip player_id="201107" first="Isabella" last="Ogliore"], 5’10” Forward, Loyola Academy</strong> Ogliore is a multitalented Forward who can play in the post or on the perimeter with her intriguing skill set. She handles the ball well and can knock down shots from deep, while also possessing a variety of post moves and good touch around the rim. <strong>2021 [player_tooltip player_id="158286" first="Brenna" last="Loftus"], 5’8” Guard, Riverside-Brookfield</strong> Loftus is a dynamic Combo Guard who scores in bunches from all levels. She is a talented shooter and displays confidence when driving and finishing around the rim. Brenna also shows excellent passing ability and court vision in the open floor. <strong>2022 Eleanor Monyek, 6’0” Forward, Hinsdale Central</strong> Monyek is an athletic Forward who provides consistent energy in the lane on both ends of the floor. Defensively she can guard a variety of post players and blocks or alters shots regularly. On the offensive end she gets herself open looks at the rim and can finish well through contact. <strong>2022 [player_tooltip player_id="203003" first="DonYeil" last="Bolton"], 6’3” Forward, Kenwood</strong> Bolton is an interior Post player with great length that she uses to impact the game on the low block. She is a terrific defender, using her athleticism and long arms to stay between the ball and the basket and block or alter shots. DonYeil continues to show an evolving post-game on offense with good post moves and nice touch around the rim. <strong>2024 Lauren Miller, 5’9” Guard, Trinity</strong> Even as a Freshman, Miller shows that she belongs on the same court as talented upperclassmen. She has good confidence and strength that she uses to attack the basket and finish well through contact. <strong>2023 Olivia Kerndt, 5’10” Guard, Deerfield </strong> Kerndt is an athletic and skilled Shooting Guard with good versatility to play and guard multiple positions. She can score the ball well at all levels with a good-looking jump shot and ability to finish at the rim through contact.