U15 Blueprint Basketball Preview: Laying the Foundation
Blueprint Basketball’s class of 2025 is as competitive as ever, with some players coming off State Championship runs and others trying to carve a larger spot for themselves in their school’s rotation. I popped into practice this week to check…
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Continue ReadingBlueprint Basketball’s class of 2025 is as competitive as ever, with some players coming off State Championship runs and others trying to carve a larger spot for themselves in their school’s rotation. I popped into practice this week to check out who’s sharpening their tools. Dive into a preview of Blueprint Basketball’s U15 AAU group.
Atika Haji, 5’10 G/F – Rice Memorial HS ’25/Blueprint Basketball
Haji’s length and athleticism allow her to guard 1-5, inside or out, and the only thing holding her back defensively is her tendency to pick up unnecessary fouls. Off ball, she’s solid on the boards and scopes out passing lanes fairly well. Offensively, she’s got a killer package. Atika can get to the rim at will off the dribble and finishes most looks in the paint, and I expect her to do even more damage by utilizing her frame and increasing her physicality in the post. I’ve seen her confidence rise shooting from the arc as well. If she becomes a three-level scorer, she’ll be really difficult to guard. Personally, I feel she was snubbed a place on Vermont’s Dream Dozen list, although I imagine she’ll get at least one nod, next year or the year thereafter.
Clara Wilson, 5’8 G – U-32 High School ’25/Blueprint Basketball
Clara is a heady two-way player with great basketball instincts. Wilson makes passes on time and on target, putting teammates in position to succeed. Moreover, she has a knack for getting good looks due to her sense of spacing and timing, which allows her shooting to be highly efficient. Wilson is also the type who’s willing to do the dirty work that doesn’t show up in the box score, such as securing loose balls and playing heads-up help defense. Clara is glue player who will step up when her team needs a stop or a bucket, and under Blueprint’s guidance, I see her offensive toolkit expanding.
Bella Schultz-Mitchell, 5’9 G/F – Enosburg High School ’25/Blueprint Basketball
Bella is a high energy hustle player with a motor coaches dream of. She’s a hawk on the offensive glass and will take advantage of smaller players with her solid frame and physical style of play. Furthermore, Bella can fit in with anybody as she isn’t the type of player who needs play calls. Rather, she creates offense with her off-ball movement and hustle plays. On the defensive end, Schultz-Mitchell is adept at clogging the lane on drives and rotating back out in order to prevent easy looks from deep. Bella’s grit and level-headed demeanor make her an x-factor whenever she’s on the floor.
Nylah Mitchell, 5’9 G/F – Burlington High School ’25/Blueprint Basketball – VT Dream Dozen Selection
Simply stated, Nylah has a natural feel for the game. Mitchell is putting in the skill work to be able to move from the low or high post out to the wing, setting up her three or a drive to the rim. In any case, I’ve found that she rarely forces anything and instead makes the simple basketball play. She has great passing skills out of the post and is adept at using pass and shot fakes to clear space inside for finishes. Mitchell is an all-around two-way player who leads by example and places sincere trust in her teammates, leading them to greater confidence and better team play.
Bree McDonald, 5’6 G – Burlington High School ’25/Blueprint Basketball
McDonald is Blueprint’s primary ballhandler and playmaker, as she is highly capable of attacking in transition where she can dish for open looks or knock down the little ten-footer. In the half court, she’s a three-level volume scorer, but her consistency should improve as she develops her arsenal and decision making. Regardless, she can control the tempo of the game incredibly well, sensing when to slow down or attack. Defensively, Bree is solid off-ball and can compress driving and passing lanes with her anticipation. Once she’s got possession though, the D better get back because she’s hunting for buckets.
Meghan Thompson, 5’7 G – Colchester High School ’25/Blueprint Basketball
Thompson is a pure spot up shooter with ceiling high arc, and she won’t hesitate to pull it from ten feet or twenty regardless of if the last one went down. Her handle and playmaking have improved since I last saw her hoop in February, to the point where she is comfortable bringing the ball up and getting the offense into rhythm. Defenses struggle to contain her when she’s attacking the rim, and once she sights in her mid-range pull up off the bounce, she’ll be a tough cover. As she develops her quickness and athleticism, that will bolster her effectiveness on both ends of the floor. Thompson seems like a hoop junkie, and she’s poised to make a leap this Spring under Blueprint’s coaching.