Checking A Lot Of Boxes

Checking Boxes can mean a few things but in this context, it means that the prospects below do a lot of things out on the hardwood and they check a lot of boxes that a college recruiter or evaluator might have as it pertains to competing at the next level. If you want to play college ball, you have to be able to check some boxes and these athletes below consistently do that.   Thanks for tuning in and enjoy!    As of right now, [player_tooltip player_id='795874' first='LJ' last='Maehl'] only has one official offer from D2 Truman State out of Missouri but I think if she puts together another memorable AAU season with her AIA Program, she should have a few others that become interested out of the Midwest. Maehl is a 6'0 SF, that has length, great movement for her height, and an active motor. Maehl would be someone that could stay down low and rebound at a thorogh rate or she can step out and stick in front of someone else that might be a little quicker at the guard position. This is a player that has a D2 ceiling by my evaluation. It's just a matter of time until more programs come forward with interest.     [player_tooltip player_id='582805' first='Karis' last='Finley'] checks off most boxes that any college recruiter would have and that is why she is a Drake Women's Basketball commit. Finley has good size at 5'9, she is someone with a three level scoring ability on offense, along with possessing a steady ability on the defensive end at the same time. Offensively, it doesn't take much for Finley to heat up. She has a quick trigger with a swift shooting stroke, she can get to her spots at the rim at Will, and she doesn't seem to force any of her action. The most important part of Finley's game is that she plays basketball the right way. She is never hunting shot attempts or making a bad read. Instead, she takes what the defense gives her and that is an ability that should translate flawlessly to the next level with the Bulldogs.     The recent change in AAU programs for [player_tooltip player_id='764451' first='Macey' last='O'Brien'] is going to be an interesting switch, where we will get to see what she is really made out of as a prospect. Up until this point in her career, O'Brien has handled her business on the court so it'll be refreshing to see a new challenge with a competent Lady Martin Bros program. As an individual, O'Brien has interest from all division from the college level at this time because of her lengthy play-making ability. At the guard spot, she is a tough player to stay in front of in 1v1 situations, while she usually gets to where she wants to go for either a bucket or an assist. Following this high school season, her recruitment should continue to heat up but we will just have to see.     Waukee NW is a team out of the 5A Class, that everyone is going to have to watch out for when it comes to Playoff time in a few short weeks. A reason that the Wolves are a unique program is because of their laundry list of skilled prospects at each position. At the Center/Power Forward spot, they have players like [player_tooltip player_id='686893' first='Cassidy' last='Danburg'] at 6'2. Danburg isn't the most physical but she has size, she has a motor, she has naturally reach, and she doesn't give up on a play - those four things combined within a player can take you a long way. As we always say, you can't teach size and that's what we have here. An able prospect with great size and a smart head on her shoulders. In reality, she checks off a lot of boxes that college coaches might have.     We are going to see [player_tooltip player_id='884636' first='Cici' last='Fate'] of Treynor High School in a few weeks back on the AAU floor with her Nebraska Attack program from the Spring/Summer season. Fate, a 5'3 PG, has always shown self-awareness, natural instincts at the PG spot, and a willingness to sacrifice for those around her. Her natural ability to be in the right space at the right time, is one of the best out of her 2028 Class that I've seen and that is going to play moving forward. Within her high school program this Winter, she has learned some things and she is ready for that to translate to the travel floor. Fate still has a long way to go with her career but if she sticks with it, I could see her competing after the high school level in some form/facet. That's a for sure.

Checking Boxes can mean a few things but in this context, it means that the prospects below do a lot of things out on the hardwood and they check a lot of boxes that a college recruiter or evaluator might have as it pertains to competing at the next level. If you want to play college ball, you have to be able to check some boxes and these athletes below consistently do that.