Florida Freshman Showcase: Team 4 Evaluation

At the PGH Freshman Showcase, we had over 60 players who all came ready to compete. Many stopped me to say they were determined to earn their rankings and consistently asked for tips on how to improve their game. The gym was packed with talent, and the environment was electric. Players battled in 3v3 and then 5v5, and the atmosphere felt like a championship game as everyone left it all on the floor.    [player_tooltip player_id='1308871' first='Giuliana' last='Sanna'] was a standout and breakout performer, the definition of a do-it-all player. Her basketball IQ was easily among the top three in the building. She opened with smart defensive plays, baiting ball handlers into traps and coming up with steals. From there, she showcased her passing ability, drawing defenders in and setting up her teammates for easy buckets. She then began scoring in multiple ways—slashing, shooting, and knocking down pull-up jumpers. Giuliana is the type of player who instantly makes any team better, playing with a winner's mindset. She can truly be considered one of the “secret weapons” in her class.     If you were in the gym and didn't know who [player_tooltip player_id='1151383' first='Ruby' last='Patterson'] was before, you definitely know now. Coaches and recruiters consistently mentioned that she was a top-five player in the building. Ruby is what we call a “phone booth scorer”—she can score in tight spaces and needs very little room to get a bucket. She dribbles with purpose, getting to her spots and stopping on a dime. What makes her even tougher to guard is her elite shooting ability. She was easily among the top three shooters all day, with a quick, fluid release, great follow-through, and the consistency of shooting the same way every time. [player_tooltip player_id='1151383' first='Ruby' last='Patterson'] is without question a name to remember.     [player_tooltip player_id='912252' first='Naomi' last='Gill'] is incredibly skilled and smooth, making the game look effortless with her ability to control the pace and take whatever the defense gives her. She plays with decisiveness and confidence in every decision. The toughest question to ask is: what can't she do? She shot the ball well, attacked the rim with high finishes off the glass, handled the ball with precision while changing direction on a dime, delivered excellent passes, and played tough, physical defense. She made a strong case as one of the top five players in the building. Her versatility and high IQ allowed her to complement her teammates' skills and elevate their play. [player_tooltip player_id='912252' first='Naomi' last='Gill'] is going to be special.     [player_tooltip player_id='1273442' first='Brianna' last='Nolan'] did exactly what I expected—she showed up and played amazing. What stood out the most was her ability to shoot off the catch. If you swing the ball to her quickly, there's no way the defense can recover in time. Her mechanics are sharp, as she's already set in her stance before the ball even arrives, needing only to rise up and cash in, She was money all day from behind the arc. Nolan was also very impressive in transition; when pushing the ball, she sees the floor well and passes teammates open. When off the ball, she understands the importance of running wide and creating great spacing. A high-IQ player who will continue to improve, [player_tooltip player_id='1273442' first='Brianna' last='Nolan'] could compete for the title of best shooter in her class.     [player_tooltip player_id='1266909' first='Amelia' last='Dammann'] was exactly what every team needs—an impact player on both ends of the floor. Offensively, she was always moving, cutting, spacing the floor, and finishing around the rim with a soft touch. Defensively, she was a pest on the ball in full court pressure, and off the ball she knew exactly where to be in help defense, consistently forcing turnovers. In transition, she ran the floor hard with great speed and spacing, and she rounded out her game with her ability to shoot quickly off the catch. Whatever her team needed, Amelia delivered.     [player_tooltip player_id='1250000' first='Jada' last='Burns'] was a technician with the ball in her hands, picking the defense apart with her next-level PG IQ. Her ability to look defenders off and pass her teammates open was far ahead of her peers—it was clear she puts in the work and studies the game. She also scored efficiently at all three levels, playing under control and on balance at all times. Jada's ability to stay low with the ball and quickly get into her shooting motion allowed her to create shots with ease. Around the rim, her hang time, pace, and ability to finish off one or two legs with runners and floaters made it nearly impossible for defenders to react in time. She definitely stood out as one of the breakout stars of the showcase.     Opala Velez impressed everyone within seconds of the 3v3 matchups and looked even better in 5v5 play. She showed the understanding of the game like a four-year veteran and proved to be one of the top three PGs in the building. With the ball on a string, she protected it well—never getting ripped or turning it over—and made impressive passes in tight spaces. She also created space to get her shot off, both from behind the arc and in the paint. Despite being a smaller guard, she played with the aggression and confidence of someone six feet tall. Her skill, IQ, and competitiveness made her a must-see every time she stepped on the court. Opala rightfully earned the title of one of the showcase's top spotlight stealers.     [player_tooltip player_id='1273796' first='Skyler' last='Harris'] was really able to showcase her skills on a team that emphasized great ball movement. She was a dominant force on the boards, showing high-level ability in tracking rebounds, grabbing them at their highest point, and quickly putting them back up. She sealed her matchups effectively, making scoring opportunities around the rim easier, while also setting hard screens and rolling at the right times. With the floor spaced out, she displayed a quick first step to get downhill on defenders, all while keeping her head up to find open teammates when drawing two defenders. If stats were recorded, she would have been close to a triple-double in rebounds, points, and assists. Skyler does all the dirty work that makes the game easier for her teammates, and she has the tools to fit on any team and be an impact player.

At the PGH Freshman Showcase, we had over 60 players who all came ready to compete. Many stopped me to say they were determined to earn their rankings and consistently asked for tips on how to improve their game. The gym was packed with talent, and the environment was electric. Players battled in 3v3 and then 5v5, and the atmosphere felt like a championship game as everyone left it all on the floor.