Hoop Group NE Warm-Up – NJ Backcourt Leaders
In this article:
There were some great NJ players showcasing their skills at the Hoop Group New England Warm-Up. Only two NJ programs were represented, but NJ Panthers and United NJ had plenty of talent on display. Imani Mullings HEIGHT 5'4" POS CG…
Access all of Prep Girls Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThere were some great NJ players showcasing their skills at the Hoop Group New England Warm-Up. Only two NJ programs were represented, but NJ Panthers and United NJ had plenty of talent on display.
Imani Mullings
Imani Mullings
Imani is an old school guard. She does not rely on getting everything from the 3-point line. She actually appears to be much more comfortable getting in the paint and finishing. She is quick off the bounce, uses her shoulders well to get downhill and to absorb contact and finish at the rim. She has a strong floater game when she needs it and is not afraid to share the ball. She averaged over 3 assists per game as a Freshman at Plainfield HS. On defense she has very active hands and gets a lot of deflections while disrupting the opposing offense as evidenced by the 2.5 steals per game at Plainfield. She is clearly the leader on the floor for NJ Panthers and is poised to have a big AAU season.
Lia has got a motor and plays with such energy that it forces her teammates to keep pace. She is in attack mode at both ends of the floor. She can shoot the 3 and has a strong mid-range game. In transition was where I enjoyed watching her most. When she was out in front, she attacked the rim and when she was initiating the break her eyes were always up and she made great decisions with the ball. She is very opportunistic on D and fills the stat sheet on O. She will blow past 1,000 points early in her Senior year at Mendham HS and averaged 5+ rebounds, 4+ assists and just under 4 steals per game as a junior. Just another stud on the United 17u Select 40 team.
Comfortable on or off the ball, but Amanda is dynamic when leading the show. Play off her and she will stick the 3 and had seven games with multiple 3s her junior year at Phillipsburg HS. However, when the D gets out on her she will get downhill and get in the paint and make great decisions. Reads the defense on her drives and takes what they give her. Amanda gets the ball ahead in transition and facilitates easy baskets for her United 17u Diamond teammates.
It’s not a surprise that Jessica runs track. She is like the Energizer Bunny on the court. She dictates tempo in everything she does at both ends of the court. On offense, she is super quick off the bounce and easily creates space to get off a 3. In transition, you better be in front because if she gets ahead, you are not chasing her down. Crafty inside with a trusted floater and defensively she creates havoc. She scored over 500 points as a sophomore at Middlesex HS to go along with 5+ rebounds, assists and steals and she is taking all that confidence on the court with her for the NJ Panthers 16u Black.
Highlights
A true PG in every sense. Is patient and focuses on facilitating to her teammates. Whether it’s in the half court or in transition she is running the show. She is comfortable shooting the 3 and will drive and find open shooters. On a United 17u Select 40 team of stars, she makes everyone look good when she is distributing. On defense, she has great hands, gets in passing lanes and disrupts offensive flow for the opponent.