5 Freshmen to watch this AAU season

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These are 5 Freshmen who will take big leaps this Spring/Summer heading into their Sophomore season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["815659"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Woodbridge had a solid year for a younger team, and one of the players who impressed me the most was [player_tooltip player_id='815659' first='Maia' last='Melendez']. Maia is a fantastic shooter who has out of the gym range. She has good hands and instincts on defense and keeps her head up to make nice passes. Maia has a nice handle and a high IQ. Maia is as good of a shooter as anyone in the area and had a fantastic freshman season. After a good AAU season, I see Maia rising up the rankings and being a more known talent around NOVA.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["848973"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='848973' first='Grace' last='Ellingson'] had a few big performances early in the season that caught my eye. She is a great spot-up shooter and gets most of her offense behind the arc. Gainesville is losing both starting guards, so Grace will be in a much more important role next year, and I think she will respond. Grace is good when she puts the ball on the floor, and she will only improve on that as teams run her off the line.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["551071"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Another Gainesville freshman to look out for is [player_tooltip player_id='551071' first='Leylani' last='Abraham']. Leylani is a force on both ends of the court. She has a terrific back-to-the-basket game and is a real go-to scorer. She is a good passer and a great defender. Leylani knocked down a couple of threes this year, and I could see her developing a legit three-point shot. Leylani has high potential, and I see her being a riser after this upcoming AAU season.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["749391"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='749391' first='Payton' last='Walters'] was a big contributor to one of the best teams in the state in Osbourn Park. Payton has gotten recognition recently for how well she has played, but she will take her game to another level this summer. Payton had games for OP where she looked like the best player on the court, which is saying a lot considering the talent Osbourn Park has. She is a fantastic defender, a great athlete, and an excellent rebounder for her size. She is a good spot-up shooter and an aggressive driver. Payton is ranked at 40 right now, but I have no doubt she is a player who takes a leap and sees herself ranked much higher.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["732202"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"South County is a fantastic defensive team, and guard [player_tooltip player_id='732202' first='Natalya' last='Wooten'] deserves some credit. She is one of the best defenders in NOVA, and right now, that's what she is on the court for. I think Natalya has real potential to be elite on both ends. She is a good passer and a good driver. She is very athletic and uses that to be a good rebounder for a guard. Natalya was an all-defensive team selection and will build on that this summer.rnrnu0026nbsp;rnrnu0026nbsp;rnrnu0026nbsp;","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66007a5a0b39d"} /-->