How Summer Ball Shapes Future Stars in Basketball

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>USE CODE "tinnon30" FOR 30% OFF THE FIRST PURCHASE OF ANY SUBSCRIPTION</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Though the summer ball season has come and gone, I am even more excited about the upcoming school ball season. Of course, we won't see kids on super teams ( where collective talent plays together), but we will see kids who have grown throughout the summer go at each other. What I love about summer ball is that kids truly do get better. When they return to school, it's like the cream rises to the top; you get a chance to see what kids have put in the work, and you can tell how much better they have become. Here are a few things that stand out in my opinion:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Confidence</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Consistency</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Shooting/ playmaking ability</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>How do they get after it on the defensive end/ aggressiveness</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I know those things don't stand out when all people are watching a ballgame, but to me, qualities like that pop out, and it also helps me determine if this kid is ready or not for next-level basketball. They become difference makers instead of just playing the game. I personally love the process of going from good to great. Everyone has their own journey when it comes to taking the next steps, but in this state, all roads lead to opportunities that await kids if they want it at the next level. It's a commitment, but we have plenty of ballplayers who can and will play somewhere at the next level. Trust me. You just have to keep grinding, and your breakthrough will come.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are a few kids who I feel will have breakthrough opportunities this upcoming season. They have put in the work, and now it's time for them to star in their role.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1248859"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6883a0df24e31"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A solid two-way player who will contribute to her team's success this upcoming season. AD competes, and when she is locked in, she is hard to slow down. She can score from multiple spots on the floor, contribute on the boards, as well as make timely passes to open teammates. She is a selfless kid who is willing to lay it all out on the line for her teammates. This summer, she took huge strides in becoming a scoring threat to go along with her defensive ability. She's been in the gym putting in work, and people will see the maturation process of her game this season. Look for her to continue on this trajectory and become a nice piece of the Lady Tigers' attack.<br><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1155080"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6883a0df24ed5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A hardworking ball player who puts in a lot of extra hours working on her craft. She plays with poise, a heady ballplayer who can score the ball at all 3 levels. She has some shiftiness to her game, where she can hit someone with step-back 3s or play off the bounce, attacking downhill. She plays with such confidence and competes not only on the offensive end, but on the defensive end as well. It's her time to shine. She had a great summer, and she will look to carry that momentum into the school ball season and be an important piece to the Lady Bruins program this year.<br><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1244607"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6883a0df24f51"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Blessed with size and length, this kid is about to break out as she has adapted to life in the States. You can tell she is even more comfortable now on the basketball floor in how she attacks the ball. Any time the ball is thrown up, she is going after it with two hands, outjumping her opponents. She dominates the painted area, keeping the ball high, securing the basketball while she utilizes her footwork. Opponents rarely strip it from her when she gets it due to her ability to get into her move quickly. I love her ability to establish a position. She gets to where she wants to go by sprinting to the spot and calling for the ball, playing with such a motor, not just the offensive end, but the defensive end as well. Speaking of defense, this kid is solid and truly is a warrior on that end of the floor. She blocks shots, dominates the boards, and really is a force on this end. Look for her to be a difference maker next season and help the Lady Lions ball club return back to state contention.<br><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["514128"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6883a0df24fcb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A fun kid to watch. Plays with such a tempo that it makes it challenging for opponents to bottle her up. A heady floor general who can distribute the ball, but also score it from all three levels. I love her ability to guard the full length of the floor, making it difficult for opponents to operate. She's a tough competitor who is willing to do whatever it takes to help her ballclub win. With a sweet lefty stroke, this kid is not only a scoring threat but an all-around player who is impactful. Look for her to have a big year and obtain accolades along the way.<br><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["899856"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6883a0df2503e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She's about to take off and become an even bigger threat this upcoming season. She was battletested early and often this summer, and she answered the bell. Not only did she get better on the offensive end, but her defensive game stepped up as well. Maddie is a kid who can shoot the light out of the ball. I'm talking about from anywhere on the floor, she will let that thing fly. What she added was creativity to her game, especially when it came to putting the ball on the floor and getting to the rim. Defensively, she went after folks, keeping them at bay and securing rebounds along the way. It will be exciting to see her play this season in a tough district. Look for her to be a solid piece to the Lady Irish ballclub. A leading catalyst who will not only lead the team in scoring but also contribute in other statistical categories as well.<br><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->