Attention: U.P. Prospects at The Smoke

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Grassroots held “The Smoke” live period tournament at Grand Valley State University and other nearby high schools from May 16th to 18th. The tournament featured a variety of clubs and college coaches from multiple states in attendance. These 2027 and 2028 forwards separated themselves from the pack. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1249389"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1250065,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-682e86890a32f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Skylynn came down with [program_tooltip program_id='715386' first='Great' last='Northern Elite'] 15U and left a great impression at The Smoke. She has soft touch around the basket and a smooth shooting stroke from the perimeter. Skylynn created space with a pivot and dropped in a fadeaway jumper then used a fast sweep to get by her defender to score a left-handed layup. She drained a mid-corner jumper off the bounce, another long one from the corner, and added a confident wing three. Skylynn catches with her feet balanced and releases the ball quickly. She helped opponents up off the floor and dished accurate hammer passes down the baseline to teammates. Keep your eyes on this promising wing prospect up north. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["939083"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1250059,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-682e86890a3c9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kendall's hard work showed during her performance at The Smoke with [program_tooltip program_id='1226083' first='West' last='Michigan Drive'] 2028-Paiz. A year ago, she played primarily inside as a rim protector, rebounder, and finisher. She's blossomed into a confident perimeter player and wing with next-level upside as a potential guard. Kendall drilled two wing triples and swished another up top using a nasty step-back dribble. Her improved shooting technique and accuracy was evident. Kendall created space from defenders with a shifty behind-the-back crossover, chased down an offensive rebound to score off two feet, and finished layups efficiently in traffic. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["897534"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1250063,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-682e86890a43c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Adrian is a forward prospect from the U.P. who made a statement at The Smoke with [program_tooltip program_id='715386' first='Great' last='Northern Elite'] 15U. She snagged a defensive rebound and pushed the ball all the way for a left-handed layup. Adrian has the length, strength, and gritty on ball defense you want from her position. She crashed hard to secure offensive rebounds and finished put backs. Adrian used a shot fake to freeze her defender and split the gap to score a contested layup. Adrian added an exclamation point to her performance when she caught a pass on the wing, used a low rip move, drove hard to the rim, and hung in mid-air to swish a Dr. J-style reverse layup. That brought me out of my seat! Adrian will be one of the top Yooper prospects in this 2028 class without a doubt.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1036824"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1250057,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-682e86890a4b1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Keira looked like a wing with great potential at the Smoke. She zoomed by a defender to score a layup and created space from defenders with sudden jabs and sweep moves. Keira moved her feet quickly to cut off drives on defense and used an excellent step-through pivot to score inside. She's a promising prospect with length to watch on [program_tooltip program_id='1226083' first='West' last='Michigan Drive'] 16U Bowers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1036782"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1250067,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-682e86890a524"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Brooke was a versatile offensive player for [program_tooltip program_id='1226083' first='West' last='Michigan Drive'] 2028-Paiz at The Smoke. She showed her perimeter range by draining a wing three and stunned her defender with a hesitation dribble before flying by off the dribble. Brooke made a highlight reel play when she attacked the middle and used a quick drop step to score a soft layup with her left hand off the glass. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1249390"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1250069,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-682e86890a596"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lauer was an athletic wing prospect who immediately grabbed my attention at The Smoke with [program_tooltip program_id='713300' first='Macon' last='6 Basketball Academy'] 2028. She leaped up to corral an offensive board, spun, and finished the layup with a soft touch off the glass. Lauer pushed the ball briskly with both hands in transition and dished assists to teammates. She fired skip passes over defenders and used her long arms to create steals on defense. Lauer landed with a controlled jumper stop and jumped off two feet to score another layup. She has athleticism, quickness, height, and confidence with the ball that will give her a very high ceiling. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->