16U Standouts at The Big Friendly (Saturday)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The <em>Prep Girls Hoops Battle of the Big Friendly</em> made its stop in Oklahoma this weekend. I spent most of my time posted up at <strong>The Hive</strong>, focusing on the 14U–15U divisions, but a few 16U squads rolled through and caught my attention. Check these young ladies out</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["992450"],"_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-69ed75d7e9858"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A combo guard with a strong skill set, she plays both guard positions with confidence. Her footwork and hands ready on the three-point shot is on point, allowing her to be effective at the two guard. She moves well without the ball, consistently finding open gaps and sprinting to the corners in transition to help push the tempo.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the open floor, her ball-handling and ability to attack downhill make her a tough physical guard. Defensively, she brings solid pressure on the front line of the press, creating turnovers and opportunities for her team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A member of the 2028 class, she is off to a strong summer and is a junior to watch next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1667499"],"_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-69ed75d7e9925"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A point guard who immediately stands out for her ability to rebound, Raelee consistently grabs defensive boards and looks to start her own break. She handles the ball well in the open court, using a combination of moves to keep defenders off balance, including a behind-the-back and an effective pocket dribble to change speeds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She also knocked down the outside shot, forcing the defense to stay honest. What really stands out is her vision especially her ability to deliver the diagonal pass to the backside on the break. Which are my favorites </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She's the type of player who can flirt with a double-double on any given night, with the potential to even reach triple-double territory. A fun player to watch and definitely one to keep track of.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1157938"],"_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-69ed75d7e99bc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A 5'8” combo guard who consistently caught my attention with her movement without the ball on both ends of the floor, always finding ways to make a play. She made strong baseline cuts, getting behind the defense for clean catches and finishes at the rim.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Within the motion offense, she showed the ability to knock down the mid-range jumper. Defensively, she displayed good hands in the press—typically working in the second line of a 2-2-1—helping create turnovers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Her body language stood out as well, showing great energy as a teammate and simply just played hard every possession. She's a player I'll be watching again to get a more complete offensive evaluation.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1223484"],"_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-69ed75d7e9a49"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A lightning-quick point guard I saw for the first time, she immediately stood out with her change of speed and control in the open floor, weaving through defenders in the front court. She looks like the type of guard you give the ball to and get out of the way on the press break.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She showed strong vision in transition, delivering accurate up-the-floor passes and finding the opposite wing on cuts. Both passes where to the block for easy finishes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">In the paint, her go-to move was a smooth, controlled floater. Overall, a fun player to watch and one to add to the watch list.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1223062"],"_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-69ed75d7e9ad6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Listed at 5'8”, she plays much more physical and aggressive than a typical shooting guard. Her game has the toughness of a small forward, but with the outside shooting ability of a guard making her a very versatile player</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She showed very good athleticism, especially on the glass, where she climb the latter to snag the board. Offensively, she displayed a soft touch on the 15-foot jumper and finished well around the rim with that same touch off the glass.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This was my first time seeing this 2028 prospect, and she's definitely one I'll be following. It feels like she's just getting started and has a lot of upside ahead.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->