Why Under the Radar Players Stay Under the Radar
Money, Power, Control. Over a decade ago it was a thing with club coaches to intentionally not submit their rosters when entering tournaments. The thinking behind it was that college coaches would need to contact the club/(AAU) coach directly if…
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Continue ReadingMoney, Power, Control. Over a decade ago it was a thing with club coaches to intentionally not submit their rosters when entering tournaments. The thinking behind it was that college coaches would need to contact the club/(AAU) coach directly if they are interested in a player and the club coach could stay relevant as a go between. It also served that the club coach could tell concerned parents that certain schools have interest in their kids. The problem was that their was a systematic discrepancy on what if any information was shared. Shoe companies filtered kids to certain programs, club coaches wanted kick backs or college jobs for them or their assistants and mid to low division 1 along with division 2 and 3 programs got the short end of the stick. Sure the coaches would know the top kids whether they were listed or not as the club coach would politic their prize recruit for tourney invites and party favors but many of the other players were sent scrambling for offers in their senior seasons as opportunities that they never knew existed passed by. The NCAA saw several issues and made contact changes over the years to give players some hope by having them register when attending NCAA certified events, the downside was that the viewing periods were reduced.
Today we have club coaches that for whatever reason, whether it’s still seeking power and control or they just forget to submit the players most important recruiting tool. Having names and numbers in the roster books are critical as many college coaches will just skip over players and entire teams that aren’t in the book. For media being able to showcase players is just as important because many college coaches read publications to get a list of players to check out or subscribe to websites that report on players. Let’s not forget, in this new age of NIL deals players future earning potential can be impacted by their media presence.
With that being said, here are some players that you may never hear about that showed well at Takeovers Cinco De Mayo. (Note email us if you have any names to at the players
Note: Sam Caldwell added gave his players information to me. He added that he had submitted his rosters prior to the event but they were never added. Although, this article was not meant to target any individual or program, he wanted to assure everyone that he openly submits his players information and planned to email me his roster after the event.
Drew Alexander
Drew Alexander
Drew had good size and an excellent shot from beyond the arc. She created her three off the dribble and knocked down the corner three off the catch. With her size she would fit in perfectly in most division one systems.
Number 2
Number 2
Despite playing from well behind the entire game #2 made the game interesting especially in the second half. She is super athletic and has some quick shifty moves with the ball that allowed her to split defenders. She got to the line to the line repeatedly and used her hands well on defense to get deflections and steals.
Jada Bouknight
Jada Bouknight
Number 14 ran the floor like a track star and finished well at the rim. She attacked from the wing twisting and turning her long body drawing contact while still making the shot. She had a good mid-range shot in the lane.
Number 2 VA
Number 2 VA
The Lady Push traveled from Sulfolk, VA without a roster. Their 16U team had some talent and I spoke with a college coach that was frustrated that they weren’t in the gym and left to go to a different venue. Number 2 from the Lady Push had a solid game as she was able to navigate in transition through traffic and get to the basket. She had some nice pocket passes in the lane and showed a good shot out to 13 feet.
Team Melo had a familiar face with Bailey Harris Bailey Harris 5’10” | CG St. Mary’s | 2026 State MD , but Kiamyani Scott Kiamyani Scott 5’8″ | SF Rosedale Christian Academy | 2026 State MD showed that she had a lot to offer as well. She is athletic and can get to the basket, she also has the range to knock down the three. Defensively she has good timing to block shots and shoots the passing lanes nicely.