Opening Day 15U Standouts From The Great Lakes Kickoff

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Opening day of our first marquee event of the AAU season, and with over 170 teams in the building, the gym was live from the jump. I locked in on the 15U and 14U divisions this weekend, and as we start shaping the 2030 class, keeping a real eye on this freshman group matters just as much. Early on, you can already see who's separating and who's just blending in. Below are a couple of standouts from the 15U division at the Western Suburban Sports Complex.</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1223322"],"_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-69c8d1d73a1f0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><em>One of the more defensive-minded players I came across today. Taylor has a slight but noticeable edge to her game, playing with high energy and aggression that really shows up on the defensive end. She's comfortable picking up on the perimeter, but can also track players down and get blocks in transition or on the drive. A lot of grit in how she plays.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1236090"],"_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-69c8d1d73a276"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><em>Gardner has a calm, controlled skill set, and even as a freshman, she plays with strong poise. The handle is solid, and her ability to run the point guard position while still creating her own looks really stood out. You can see why she's viewed as a top 10 player in her class.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1813840"],"_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-69c8d1d73a2c4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><em>The aggression, the confidence, and the quick twitch are there. She can score from the outside and seems comfortable driving to the rim, even with the "lack" of size. KK has a solid amount of craftiness to her as well. On the drives, she doesn't hesitate when she gets in the paint, and has the awareness to make strong kick-out passes. </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1246083"],"_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-69c8d1d73a31f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><em>The potential is definitely there for Engler, and she's already building off a strong foundation as a freshman. She has the length and frame to impact both ends, and today was a good glimpse of what she can bring offensively. She shows a natural feel as a playmaker and understands when to pick her spots, both with the ball and off it. Still room to grow, but the upside is clear.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1813844"],"_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-69c8d1d73a371"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><em>You have to respect a player who doesn't quit when things don't start perfectly. Brown plays with a short memory, which is a big boost to her confidence. She may not be the craftiest, but she understands how to attack angles and get to her spots. She shows solid touch around the rim and has the ability to stretch the floor when the possession calls for it.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->