Coach Speak: ETA Thunder ’25 Preview w/ Coach Vez Smith
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I sat down with Coach Vez Smith, one of the most well respected coaches in South, about his incredibly talented ETA Thunder ’25 team. Here is what Coach Vez said: We are super excited to kick off our last 2025…
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Continue ReadingI sat down with Coach Vez Smith, one of the most well respected coaches in South, about his incredibly talented ETA Thunder ’25 team. Here is what Coach Vez said:
We are super excited to kick off our last 2025 aau season. Some of these girls have been with me 2-3 years! I’ve watched them grow and take leaps!
Chloe Heath Chloe Heath 6’0″ | SF Clinton | 2025 State TN 6’1- 6’2 from heritage who brings up the size factor that we was missing playing with 6 kids majority of the year.. she can stretch the floor / play with her back to the basket/ and is a leader
Aisha Patel Aisha Patel 6’0″ | PF Bearden | 2025 State TN – may be the most underrated imo from an upside stand point! Can stretch the floor, has a first quick step, the more love and confident you pure into her the more she performs!
Highlights
More length Kendall Murphy – a 2 way player that immediately jumps in as one of our best defenders! A deadly 3 pt shooter that will be stretch the floor as well gives us another ball handler. Huge pick up for what she brings!
Highlights
Kyndra West Kyndra West 5’6″ | PG Hardin Valley Academy | 2025 State TN – she’s the glue to our team as she gets everyone involved! One of the most unselfish pgs you’ll see! The coach/connection has grown and the understanding is there of what I want for the team. She has improved her mid range and out side shot.. I look for her up exploit a bunch of mis matches this summer.
Highlights
Karina Bystry Karina Bystry 5’10” | PG McMinn Central | 2025 State TN – super hungry kid who performs at a high level! Losing niah, Aniah, and Kinsley the year before, she had to step up take on the back up pg role where she excelled in the 2 man game.. a lethel threat who can shoot you off the floor as well as rebound at a high rate.. I’d put her transition 3 and release speed on shot up with anyone. Tons of d1 interest she has a lot to play for this summer
Brooke Nichelson- has every athletic tool to be great! She’s our best defender, who shut down other teams best players to put us in winning situations against great teams. She literally can do it all shooting 40% + from 3 and has one of the highest verticals across the board.. has d1 offers and look to pile them up this summer on her last rodeo!
Mackenna Nix (Georgia) – she is our heart of the team. She’s a kid that’s ready to go to war with anyone, and her prepping for the game is where we share common goals! She’s always in the lab/weight room. I think her recruiting is a little underrated due to her size and strength! When I say she’s the heart! She’s the muscle that’s going to be physical every game!
Mariella Claybrook (kentucky) – our young buck is back coming off a strong finish to her 8 grade aau having to fill in on a team she didn’t plan to play with! We got lucky to get this kid and have been super thankful! She picked up a d1 offer from lipscomb and with coaches knowing about her now.. her upside is whatever she wants it to be! She can literally have 10+ offers after this summer is over! Strong left hand, very poised for age! Look for her to fit right in with her teammates!
Coach Vez’s Summary:
As a coach I’m excited for this group! I think they have all the tools to be great! One thing about aau is it’s a process. You get kids fresh out of high schools and different systems, than they come together to learn a new system and to play with different teammates! That’s not easy! There’s 0 scouting involved all work, adjustments, and adversity! We will be ready for it all! As a coach my goal is to continue to be a positive influence on the kids and others around me! I want to continue to grow relationships with coaches so kids can have the opportunities! Our girls all have offers and it doesn’t stop there.. We enjoy this game out of passion and love. Pull up to one of our games and you’ll see that!