A Tall Task: Impactful Bigs in AAU Ball
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Having a menacing post presence can sometimes make all the difference in the outcome of a game. The height, length and physicality these “bigs” bring to the table can prove a daunting task for defenders. Before the whistle blows and…
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Continue ReadingHaving a menacing post presence can sometimes make all the difference in the outcome of a game. The height, length and physicality these “bigs” bring to the table can prove a daunting task for defenders. Before the whistle blows and the ball tips, all eyes are on the tallest and most intimidating players on the court. They ignite the crowd with big rejections under the basket, give their respective team second chance opportunities on O-boards and bang in the post for possession and scoring chances. Post play has greatly evolved, with some dominating traditional back-to-the-basket style of play, while others expand their arsenal with a mean mid-post game, which can include facing up & establishing an efficient mid-range jumper. These “fierce five” are taking the AAU circuit by storm and opponents are feeling every bit of their size and power in the paint.
Mackenzie is long, ultra-athletic and has great mobility for her size. She is an efficient stretch 4 with consistent range out to 20-feet and the ability to glide across the court like a gazelle. The effectiveness of her high-low game is felt majorly as she seals off the defender and attacks the rim with authority. At Spooky Nook, she was often double-teamed in the paint, but used fantastic footwork and patience to escape traps and avoid turnovers. At the Shoreshots Summer Showdown she backed down defenders under the rim, sparked the transition offense and let it fly from 3 with no hesitation. Heading into the May live period in Atlantic City, she will look to continue her dominance and emerge as a player scouts want to keep a close tab on.
When Taylor gets two feet in the paint, it’s money almost every single time! Her phenomenal footwork allows her to fake, finesse and spin her way inside through traffic. She has proved to be an excellent finisher through contact, double-teams included. Her face-up game has grown and she confidently attacks from the short corner to give her team easy buckets. Defensively, she uses her length to disrupt the passing lanes and breaks apart entry passes to ignite transition offense. The way she crashes the glass, especially for the O-boards, is masterful. The scary part? Taylor’s game (and possibly her height as well) will only continue to grow over the next few years. She has an incredibly high ceiling.
The hard work Precious puts in the gym is evident in the way she plays. A player with sheer athleticism, Precious is becoming a sensation on the AAU circuit with her electric game and fearless determination. She’s a player who scores at will, creating her own shot from the mid-range and using fancy footwork to work her way inside. Her 22 point/13 rebound double-double at the Rose Classic was astonishing, but not totally unexpected, considering her utter dominance. Her presence in the paint makes defenders think twice before driving in.
Abby brings it every single game! Her ferociousness on offense and intensity on defense are unmatched. She’s extremely mobile in transition and her fantastic footwork in the paint allows her to back down defenders and create ample space to go up strong for 2. At Spooky Nook, Abby showed off her defensive prowess as she swatted shots, snagged steals & disrupted offensive flows entirely. She is the nucleus of this Team Sharp 17U squad because of her “sharp” basketball acumen and willingness to always learn new things. She will be a player to pay close attention to when the next live period kicks off.
The southpaw big is an intimidating presence on the court because of her ability to pound the paint, drain the middy and play high pressure defense. A tenacious two-way player, Caroline plays bully ball and is assertive, yet touch when laying it in. She rarely sees single coverage, as teams send multiple defenders to try and slow her down. In the rare instance she has a sole defender, she is dominant in the low block and uses effective post moves to get the bucket and in many cases, a trip to the charity stripe. Caroline will look to make some noise in the Lone Star State when the Jersey Gemz hit Clash of the Clubs for the May live period.