USJN California Classic Top Standouts Pt. 3

Mykelle Richards; Etiwanda 2024

David Yapkowitz

April 27, 2023 @ 10:19 PM

This weekend, Sports Academy in Thousand Oaks, CA played host to the USJN California Classic as the first live period got underway. The event was held from Apr. 21-23 and featured some of the top talent from both Northern and Southern California. I was able to attend the event on Sunday, Apr. 23 and here's a look at some additional top standouts I saw. 1. Mykelle Richards - Etiwanda 2024 Richards was one of the best defensive players I saw at the event. Her on ball defense is solid. She uses her quick hands to get into the passing lanes and cause deflections/turnovers. Anticipates passes when she's on ball. A very strong rebounder in the paint as well despite a slender frame. She's also able to handle the ball and can be the ball-handler on the break. Good finisher around the basket. 2. [player_tooltip player_id='835357' first='Laurel' last='Hinds'] - Windward 2024 Hinds stood out the most to me for her rebounding. She isn't exceptionally big at all, she's a guard, but she did well crashing the glass and sneaking in amongst bigger players to grab boards. She can handle the ball well and in the halfcourt she has a nice drive and kick game. Pushes the pace in transition. She has a quick shot and can shoot the pull-up three on the break. Uses her body well to finish strong at the basket. 3. Evelyn Birau - Taft 2023 Birau is an efficient scoring wing who can play both forward positions and even a little center at times. What stands out the most to me is her ability to draw fouls. She is active around the basket and is able to consistently get to the free-throw line. She's a very good rebounder too and positions herself on the offensive glass for put-back opportunities. Just an efficient scoring option around the basket. 4. [player_tooltip player_id='1247164' first='Kailee' last='Staniland'] - Ventura 2026 Stainiland was the backup point guard in the game I saw and did a good job playing her role and simply not trying to do too much. In the halfcourt she keeps the ball moving and is a pass first player. She can also play alongside another ball-handler. When she was off ball, she made herself useful through movement in the halfcourt and making solid cuts to the basket.

This weekend, Sports Academy in Thousand Oaks, CA played host to the USJN California Classic as the first live period got underway. The event was held from Apr. 21-23 and featured some of the top talent from both Northern and Southern California. I was able to attend the event on Sunday, Apr. 23 and here's a look at some additional top standouts I saw.

1. Mykelle Richards - Etiwanda 2024

Richards was one of the best defensive players I saw at the event. Her on ball defense is solid. She uses her quick hands to get into the passing lanes and cause deflections/turnovers. Anticipates passes when she's on ball. A very strong rebounder in the paint as well despite a slender frame. She's also able to handle the ball and can be the ball-handler on the break. Good finisher around the basket.

2. Laurel Hinds Laurel Hinds 5'8" | SG Windward | 2024 State CA - Windward 2024

Hinds stood out the most to me for her rebounding. She isn't exceptionally big at all, she's a guard, but she did well crashing the glass and sneaking in amongst bigger players to grab boards. She can handle the ball well and in the halfcourt she has a nice drive and kick game. Pushes the pace in transition. She has a quick shot and can shoot the pull-up three on the break. Uses her body well to finish strong at the basket.

3. Evelyn Birau - Taft 2023

Birau is an efficient scoring wing who can play both forward positions and even a little center at times. What stands out the most to me is her ability to draw fouls. She is active around the basket and is able to consistently get to the free-throw line. She's a very good rebounder too and positions herself on the offensive glass for put-back opportunities. Just an efficient scoring option around the basket.

4. Kailee Staniland Kailee Staniland 5'7" | PG Ventura High School | 2026 State CA - Ventura 2026

Stainiland was the backup point guard in the game I saw and did a good job playing her role and simply not trying to do too much. In the halfcourt she keeps the ball moving and is a pass first player. She can also play alongside another ball-handler. When she was off ball, she made herself useful through movement in the halfcourt and making solid cuts to the basket.