NY ’24 Summer Evals: Watchlist Favs

I have an extensive "watchlist" for the '24 NY prospects. The watchlist is filled with intriguing players I have seen briefly over the last few months. As we head into the fall, I aim to learn more about as many of these athletes as possible so I can gain a better sense of their game and skill set. Below are a few of my favorite players from the list.    [player_tooltip player_id='415108' first='Reece' last='Beaver']|XGEN Elite|5'7''|PG   I like Beaver's commitment to defense. She digs in and is aggressive when applying pressure on the ball. She is an absolute flamethrower from downtown who has unlimited range. My favorite part about Beaver's game is that as the primary playmaker, she can be electric and dominate multiple facets of the game. However, when surrounded by other top end talent players like the ones on XGEN Elite, Beaver can still find ways to be a high-impact contributor.    [player_tooltip player_id='425047' first='Grace' last='Corelli']|Lightning Hart| 5'8''|PG   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/user-uploads/E12F1130-BD24-48B1-ADE3-B9817F7AAB50-crop-1242x816-1660004151.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-474708"/><figcaption>Photo: Meredith Ryan</figcaption></figure>   Corelli is a deadly scorer who makes a living connecting from three-point land. What enhances Corelli's scoring prowess is that if the defense closes out hard to her, she can put the ball on the deck with either hand and convert at the basket. I like Corelli's ability to create and make shots in high-leverage situations. She fully trusts her offensive repertoire and can break down the defense with her handle that she keeps on a string.    [player_tooltip player_id='471935' first='Ava' last='Darvassy']|NY Renaissance|6'0''|PF   What drew me to Darvassy is that she is a prospect who is a true back-to-the-basket big. I like how she seals her defender, calls for the ball, and makes an aggressive move on the block. She has shown good footwork around the basket and soft shooting touch from short range. Darvassy also makes good reads from the post. She is unselfish and will hit cutters in stride towards the basket. You have to respect her shot, specifically from the mid-range, and she is a high-motor forward who is active on the glass and defensively.    [player_tooltip player_id='416320' first='Katie' last='Drozd']|Crown Lightning|6'0''|SG   I love Drozd's profile. A 6'0'' wing who is comfortable shooting over the top of the defense. Nowadays, the game is predicated around outside shooting, and you don't see the mid-range game utilized as much anymore. Drozd is one of the few players I have watched who will take and make the 15-18ft jump shot and nail it consistently. She displays her high IQ in the halfcourt by how she moves and her confidence off the ball. She sets and uses screens well, understands spacing, and catches the ball ready to shoot. Drozd is a team player with the versatility to play inside or out.    [player_tooltip player_id='422141' first='Makana' last='Gardner']|Elmira Fusion|6'3''|PF   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/08/5F96AB9C-4445-4D6A-9102-AA926CE9100C-crop-1242x816-1660006360.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-474762"/><figcaption>Photo: Anna Kitch</figcaption></figure>   I've seen Gardner play a number of times throughout the spring and summer, and she got better by the tournament. She has become very reliable on the block, making tough catches in traffic and finishing at an efficient level around the basket. Gardner has a good nose for the ball off the rim and, with her size and length, is a lock for double-digit rebounds each game. She consistently sends a message throughout games on defense with vociferous rejections, and her paint intimidation forces the opposing team to settle for bad shots.    [player_tooltip player_id='472755' first='Molly' last='Keaveney']|Hoopers NY|5'9''|CG   About a week ago, I got my first in-person glimpse of Keaveney at the Bryant Elite Camp. You could tell in the 3v3 session that her offensive awareness was high, and she had a good feel for the game in a halfcourt setting. Keaveney is a long-range assassin off the catch, move and dribble and has the green light from anywhere around the arc. I like how good Keaveney is at drawing fouls. She uses her body well when slashing, isn't passive, protects the ball, and plays through contact resulting in a handful of trips to the charity stripe.    [player_tooltip player_id='472768' first='Briana' last='Neary']|LI Renegades|5'8''|PG   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/user-uploads/5E3B82F4-1B5E-4496-9D6F-3C43557E4ECB-crop-1242x816-1660004936.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-474729"/><figcaption>Photo: Anna Kitch</figcaption></figure>   I thought Neary was really good in June at The Prime Event. Against high-level competition, she didn't show difficulty getting her shot off on tough defensive pressure. I liked the way Neary came off of handoffs and screens. She comes off aggressive and looks to make a dynamic play. Neary's crafty handle kept the defense off balance, and she did a good job mixing up speeds to create space and get paint touches. Neary is more of a slashing guard but can spot up and be a threat from deep. I was also a fan of her feel for the game and ability to open up the offense for her teammates with hard face cuts    [player_tooltip player_id='413710' first='Rylie' last='Rosenberg']|Empire State|5'4''|PG   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/user-uploads/F82FB94A-1683-4B5D-91BE-44BB2B5C85C1-crop-1537x1010-1660005336.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-474749"/><figcaption>Photo: Anna Kitch</figcaption></figure>   Rosenberg makes up for her lack of height by playing harder than anyone on the court. I like her poise on offense. She facilitates at a high level, can set the table for her teammates, and isn't afraid to attack the defense and create for herself. Rosenberg is a good shooter off the catch and will turn down shots and get in the mid-range, where she is also a proficient shot maker. I like watching Rosenberg off the ball because she isn't stagnant and is good at relocating on the perimeter.   [player_tooltip player_id='415752' first='Danielle' last='Williamson']|New Heights|5'7''|PG   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/08/45653AA6-EB95-44C8-BC0B-0EB53B85F46D-crop-1537x1010-1659999384.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-474688"/><figcaption>Photo: Anna Kitch</figcaption></figure>   I have always been a fan of Williamson's assertiveness on offense. The lefty can snipe from the outside and also handles the ball well. Her crossover is strong, and she has the ability to freeze the defense with her change of direction and speeds when attacking the basket. Williamson's IQ is high because she has the toughness and grit to her game to match the skills and tools she possesses. Williamson approaches the game with a killer's mentality; whether in the halfcourt or in transition, she is a major threat with the basketball.

I have an extensive "watchlist" for the '24 NY prospects. The watchlist is filled with intriguing players I have seen briefly over the last few months. As we head into the fall, I aim to learn more about as many of these athletes as possible so I can gain a better sense of their game and skill set. Below are a few of my favorite players from the list.