Sports Academy Spring Championship Top Standouts Pt. 2

Julia Wilson; Rancho Christian 2025

David Yapkowitz

May 10, 2023 @ 12:30 PM

This past weekend, Sports Academy in Thousand Oaks, CA played host to the Spring Championship. The event was held across two days from May 6-7 and featured some of the top travel teams in Southern California as well as few out of state teams as well. I was able to attend the event on Sunday, May 7 and focused on the in state teams. Here's a look at some additional top standouts I saw. 1. [player_tooltip player_id='570416' first='Julia' last='Wilson'] - Rancho Christian/[program_tooltip program_id='715880' first='Why' last='Not Premier'] 16U EYBL 2025 I've seen Wilson play back during the high school season and what stood out the most this time was her playmaking skills. She has good court vision and passing ability for a wing. She can handle the ball comfortably in the halfcourt and be the primary playmaker. Able to see over smaller defenders/guards with her height. Offensively, she does well making quick, decisive moves to attack the basket. 2. Deedee Berry - BTI 17U/Birmingham 2024 This is my second time seeing Berry play and she stands out as a long forward who moves well on the court. She's solid in transition, she runs the floor, sprints out ahead of the defense and can be a finisher at the basket. Good hands. She can be a trailer in transition too, cleaning up misses with rebounding. Sets solid screens and rolls to the basket. Active defensive player. 3. [player_tooltip player_id='574386' first='Leila' last='Boykin'] - [program_tooltip program_id='713886' first='Cal' last='Stars'] 16U TOC/Alemany 2026 Boykin was one of the best centers I saw at the event. She can establish her position in the post and hold that position. Uses her size well in the paint to get easy scoring opportunities. Strong finisher through traffic. She can see the court and did well to pass out of the post when defended. Good screener. She boxes out well and is a strong presence on the glass. 4. [player_tooltip player_id='758381' first='Natalia' last='Martinez'] - [program_tooltip program_id='713886' first='Cal' last='Stars'] 17U EYBL/Piedmont 2024 Martinez came off the bench for her team but was able to make a strong impact. What stood out to me the most was her defense. She gets in the passing lanes, can force turnovers and start the break. Able to finish in transition at the basket. Handles the ball well in the halfcourt and can attack baseline. Good body control to draw fouls at the rim. She's a solid shooter of the catch as well.

This past weekend, Sports Academy in Thousand Oaks, CA played host to the Spring Championship. The event was held across two days from May 6-7 and featured some of the top travel teams in Southern California as well as few out of state teams as well. I was able to attend the event on Sunday, May 7 and focused on the in state teams. Here's a look at some additional top standouts I saw.

1. Julia Wilson Julia Wilson 5'10" | SF Rancho Christian | 2025 State CA - Rancho Christian/ Why Not Premier 16U EYBL 2025

I've seen Wilson play back during the high school season and what stood out the most this time was her playmaking skills. She has good court vision and passing ability for a wing. She can handle the ball comfortably in the halfcourt and be the primary playmaker. Able to see over smaller defenders/guards with her height. Offensively, she does well making quick, decisive moves to attack the basket.

2. Deedee Berry - BTI 17U/Birmingham 2024

This is my second time seeing Berry play and she stands out as a long forward who moves well on the court. She's solid in transition, she runs the floor, sprints out ahead of the defense and can be a finisher at the basket. Good hands. She can be a trailer in transition too, cleaning up misses with rebounding. Sets solid screens and rolls to the basket. Active defensive player.

3. Leila Boykin Leila Boykin 5'11" | C Alemany | 2026 State CA - Cal Stars 16U TOC/Alemany 2026

Boykin was one of the best centers I saw at the event. She can establish her position in the post and hold that position. Uses her size well in the paint to get easy scoring opportunities. Strong finisher through traffic. She can see the court and did well to pass out of the post when defended. Good screener. She boxes out well and is a strong presence on the glass.

4. Natalia Martinez Natalia Martinez 5'7" | SG Piedmont | 2024 State CA - Cal Stars 17U EYBL/Piedmont 2024

Martinez came off the bench for her team but was able to make a strong impact. What stood out to me the most was her defense. She gets in the passing lanes, can force turnovers and start the break. Able to finish in transition at the basket. Handles the ball well in the halfcourt and can attack baseline. Good body control to draw fouls at the rim. She's a solid shooter of the catch as well.