Guards on the Watch List in 2027

It can be very easy to get caught up in focusing on the top players in a specific graduating class, so occasionally I like to take the time to point out a handful of talented ladies who currently find themselves on the watch lists. Below is a look at a few such ladies who have talent, skill, and the ability to help a college program down the road.   .    Averi is one of the most well-rounded, skilled, and quietly tough kids on this list, and I have a feeling she'll make the small college she chooses very happy. She has nice length, wiry strength, and all-around athleticism. She can handle the ball like a point guard, run offense, and create off the dribble. At the same time, she has some touch outside, she can work off screens, and she can get through the lane, absorb contact, and finish around the rim. I also like her versatility as a defender and her willingness to rebound as a guard.     Novea is an extremely long, wiry, fluid, and somewhat smooth athlete. Her length makes her look a lot taller, but she plays a lot taller as well. A couple of years ago, I felt like she was more of a point guard who could shoot/score it, but after watching her again this June/July, I feel like she might be better working as a '2' who can also slide over and play some point when necessary. She has gotten better off the bounce and shot it better from the perimeter than she had during the school season. I also love her length defensively.     Ameria has been a popular prospect in the Lafayette area, but she is still just starting to scratch the surface on a statewide level. She is a really nice athlete, she gets out and goes in transition, and in the halfcourt she is looking to catch it on the wing, rip, and get to the rim. As she continues to add a little change-of-direction ball-handling and more accuracy outside, she could be a problem. Defensively, she also causes havoc, as she can pressure the ball or utilize her length and talent to turn teams over in trapping situations.     Laila was good in spots when I was able to see her throughout the Summer. She played 17U ball and did a nice job against older guards, despite her size. She has a strong frame, good quickness (she's more so quick than fast), and she does a nice job of keeping the ball low and away from defenders. She does a solid job of getting into the defense and forcing them to collapse, while finding open teammates on the wings, plus she is a scrappy on-ball defender who can act like a little gnat against opposing guards.     Carly is someone I was able to see for the first time in the Spring, and I really like the balance in her game. She has nice length at her height, she plays with speed and quickness, and she understands how to change speeds depending on the situation. She is probably most comfortable working off screens, finding open jumpers, and being able to counter by attacking the basket as well. At the same time, she is a capable ball-handler, she can initiate the offense, or she can use the dribble to create for her teammates.     I was able to catch Ava one last time playing for a different team at the end of July, and she was really good in the couple of games I saw. She is yet another long, wiry, smooth, and fluid guard who does a little of everything well. She shot it well from the perimeter, and with a little range, but she was also better in transition with the ball in her hands than I recall from past viewings. North has some good guards in their backcourt right now, but I think her combination of talent, skill, and measurables should earn her a big role.

It can be very easy to get caught up in focusing on the top players in a specific graduating class, so occasionally I like to take the time to point out a handful of talented ladies who currently find themselves on the watch lists. Below is a look at a few such ladies who have talent, skill, and the ability to help a college program down the road.