Freshman GameChangers At The #PGHTop250ExpoAL
This content series is sponsored by GameChanger-The Official Scorekeeping, Stats, Team Management & Technology Partner of Prep Hoops. The following players were #GameChangers at #PGHTop250ExpoAL, and here is why… Na’kyrie Tolbert Na’kyrie Tolbert 5'4" | CG Hueytown | 2027 AL…
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The following players were #GameChangers at #PGHTop250ExpoAL, and here is why…
Na’kyrie Tolbert Na’kyrie Tolbert 5'4" | CG Hueytown | 2027 AL (5’4/PG/’27/Hueytown)
Instagram: nakyrie_tolbert
Na’Kyrie had her inner ‘Kyrie’ at work throughout camp. She is a lead guard who does a good job playing at a pace that is uncomfortable to opponents. She is a multi-level scorer who can shoot the trey-ball and get downhill. She is embarking on her freshman season and showed at camp that she is ready to step in and make an early impact in the Hueytown program. The reason why she is a GameChanger is because of her play at the lead guard spot. She is a reliable ball-handler with a good feel for the game and understands what to do with the rock in her hands. Her orchestrating ability was impressive while only being a freshman.
Gerren Ingram (5’4/PG/’27/Pelham)
Gerren was one of the most consistent and constant sources of production. She was at her best when she was out and running the floor or leading the transition break. She is listed as a PG, but she really had scoring as her first thought. Despite being dominant right off the bounce at this stage of her game, she was very tough to contain one-on-one. The reason why she is a GameChanger is because of her scoring prowess from the lead guard position. Her PG IQ development will come, but her ability to score from the guard spot is going to be a great asset as she continues her basketball journey.
Heaven Bailey Heaven Bailey 5'4" | PG Montgomery Catholic | 2027 AL (5’4/PG/’27/Montgomery Catholic Prep)
Instagram: hbailey0213
X/Twitter: @0213hlb
Heaven had the scoring arsenal on full display throughout camp. She was getting buckets, whether knifing through defenders or scoring it from deep. Heaven is an up-tempo guard who can score the rock and was also a dynamic playmaker with the rock in her hands. Her skill, bounce, and intelligence as a freshman are foundational building blocks that could help develop her game and lead to garnering a lot of attention from the next level over the next couple of years if she stays in the lab. The reason why she is a GameChanger is because of her ability to get buckets. She doesn’t need someone to get her scoring opportunities because she was one of the best regardless of class at camp when it came to scoring. She is going to impact a lot of games in the scoring column.
Deyon Smith (5’8/G/’27/James Clemens)
Instagram: D1bree.s
X/Twitter: @Deybree_elite
Deyon had good positional size and was a good decision-maker with the rock in her hands. She showed a lot of promise with her size, skillset, and IQ. She is a talented slasher who does a good job at finishing in the paint and at the cup. I was really impressed with her ability to lead the break and either make the correct pass or finish strong at the rim. Deyon has very good mobility and athleticism and is going to have a nice high school career if she can avoid injuries and stay in the lab. The reason why she is a GameChanger is because of her size and versatility. She is going to create a lot of mismatch problems throughout her career. If she stays on the trajectory that she is on, we could be talking about a high-level player in the state.
Kylee Thornburg (5’10/F/’27/Thompson)
Instagram: officialkyleethornburg
X/Twitter: @KThornburg2027
Kylee brought a lot of energy and effort to the floor throughout camp. Her offensive game has some ways to go, but she did show signs as she knocked down shots from behind the arc. She has to continue to work on her handles, which will increase her threat level. She was battling on the glass, and her consistent activity kept plays alive and helped her to manufacture points off put-backs. The reason why she is a GameChanger is because of her energy and effort level. She will be playing with Jayla Forbe, who is already garnering a lot of attention from the collegiate level. With the focus on Jayla, if Kylee can play her role and do the dirty work, she is going to be a key piece to Thompson’s success this year. Then, as she stays in the lab, Kylee has the potential and size to emerge into a standout player herself.