Neville Jones Invitational: 2024 Standout Forwards/Centers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I've already dropped several players that created some problems around the basket including <strong>Jacqueline Oba (TSF 17U Black) and Azizah Martin (SMA 2024)</strong> in my <strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2023/07/2023-neville-jones-invitational-p[program_tooltip program_id='715666' first='OWE' last='']r-in-the-paint/">P[program_tooltip program_id='715666' first='OWE' last='']R IN THE PAINT</a></strong> article but other players grabbed my attention, here ya go</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Maya Okoro-6'1 C ([program_tooltip program_id='716243' first='Lady' last='Sharks'] United)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Okoro sent several messages on the PGH Circuit love the year, first of all, she stands over "the magic number" which is 6'0 in case you haven't been paying attention and she has a "college ready frame". That in itself is a major next-level attraction when you add her going after everything off the rim. She also did a good job defending inside the paint but I was equally impressed with she stepped outside to defend. She also finished, after contact included, around the basket </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jordyn Mays-6'3 (TSF 17U Black)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mays used her height to her advantage around the basket as she easily got her shot off and scored but her body also played a part in that because contact was irrelevant. She hit the boards on both ends, she understands how to get the break going using the outlet yet she also understands how to defend on the interior as well as showing she could block shots</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jacoria Taylor-5'10 (TSF 17U Black)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Taylor has UPS written in my notes so that means she can elevate just like that. Her timing to block, alter and (or) deflect shots was nice yet even nicer was watching her handle the ball afterward. She also did a good job of handling the ball after rebounding and sh[program_tooltip program_id='715666' first='OWE' last='']d she could go C2C, coast to coast, to either score going all the way or see the floor, both in transition as well as in the set. She also scored around the basket and off the dribble</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Reagan Stephenson-6'1 ([program_tooltip program_id='715146' first='SETX' last='Elite'])</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stephenson was injured early in the tournament yet her progression has been impressive all season. She is "long and athletic" which is the base, she has good timing to block, deflect and (or) alter shots, and she rebounds on both ends. She also defended both in and outside the paint, she scored around the basket as well as facing the basket and she saw the floor </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Breann Figgs-5'9 (TSF 17U Red)</strong>'</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Figgs sh[program_tooltip program_id='715666' first='OWE' last='']d how p[program_tooltip program_id='715666' first='OWE' last='']rful she was around the basket as she used her frame to overp[program_tooltip program_id='715666' first='OWE' last='']r defenders and score. She also sh[program_tooltip program_id='715666' first='OWE' last='']d that same p[program_tooltip program_id='715666' first='OWE' last='']r on the flip and her defense inside the paint. She did a good job of not only rebounding on both ends, over taller players, but she also ran the floor on both ends. Her scoring inside the paint, putbacks included, was also nice</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gabrielle Edo-6'3 (Competitive Edge 2024)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Edo is "long and athletic" and it's still the base, see above, yet her timing to alter shots was nice, yes she also blocked and selected some but her being able to put something on anyone that challenged her mind was very nice. I love her upside, especially when you factor in the fact she rebounds strongly on both ends and scores around the basket. Her defense was also steady </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Asia Zachary-5'10 (Competitive Edge 2024) </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Zachary sh[program_tooltip program_id='715666' first='OWE' last='']d some guard skills to go along with being "long and athletic" and first of all, her "on the ball" defense baseline to baseline grabbed my attention immediately, as did her attacking the basket from multiple spots and finishing after contact. Her timing was nice, and so was her playing the passing lane yet she handled the ball and saw the floor afterward. She also scored around the basket, putbacks included, and she rebounded on both ends </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->