Closing the Book on UAA: Guards
Today, we’re closing the book on UAA Session I. We’ll start by looking at some guards who impressed, then close by talking about the wings and forwards that stood out in Pennsylvania. Tessa Bryan Tessa Bryan 5'8" | PG Waunakee…
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Continue ReadingToday, we’re closing the book on UAA Session I. We’ll start by looking at some guards who impressed, then close by talking about the wings and forwards that stood out in Pennsylvania.
Tessa Bryan Tessa Bryan 5'8" | PG Waunakee | 2027 State WI
Bryan is one of the most unpredictable guards with the ball in her hands. She is an excellent athlete who likes to fly up and down the floor and do things that other guards physically can’t. Sometimes, you’ll have to take the bad with the good, but the rewards are worth it. Bryan can get to the rim at will and has a jumper that teams respect. In time, Bryan will learn how to become a more efficient scorer. However, having a lead guard who can push tempo, keep defenses on their heels, break down half-court defenses, make perimeter shots, and make difficult shots around the rim. You don’t often find all those traits in one guard, let alone a freshman. Bryan is one to keep tabs on over the next year.
Alijah Stabler
The first half I saw from Stabler didn’t go her way, but she got going in the second half. There are a few things that jump out quickly. The main thing she excelled at was creating space. In limited dribbles, she creates space to get a shot or get to the basket, which can open up an offense. For a team like Nebraska Attack, which likes to utilize its shooters, Stabler can drive and find open shooters after defenses collapse, which could lead to some significant offensive outbursts from that group.
KayTee Irons KayTee Irons 5'5" | PG Lincoln Northstar | 2027 NE
Watching kids like Irons is fun because nothing about her physically suggests she could swing a game against some of the better programs in the country. However, she’s hard to take off the floor because of how responsible she is and how simple she makes things. As the defense tried to fly after her and force a turnover, she’d find a way past an out-of-control defender or find an open teammate. She never took too long to think about what to do with the ball. Irons took what the defense gave her, whether that was a shot, pass, or drive. The Nebraska Attack guard may never physically overwhelm other guards, but she has to be frustrating to defend.
Malika Jenkins
Watching the Example 2027 group was something to behold, and Jenkins was integral to that. The 2027 guard is quick, but she has some excellent change of pace along with that speed. She can get into the lane and draw contact from defenders too eager to contest one of her shots at the rim and earn free throws. In the one quarter I saw, Jenkins got to the line multiple times and blew out the team they were playing against. Kids who know how crucial a change of pace is are rare, and Jenkins has embraced that ability.