New York Tune Up Stock Risers Part II

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>By Josh Ebrahim</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>4-30-26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The summer circuit kicked off in the Bronx with the 3rd Annual NYC Tune Up, where the top teams from across the Northeast came together to set the tone for the new season. With a long summer ahead, this weekend is a chance to test new rotations and build chemistry with teammates, and every team has something to prove. Let's take a look at the second wave of players that made a name this weekend. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["926441"],"_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-69efaffee0684"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Atkins is a three-level scoring guard with court vision that can elevate her team. She can make every pass in transition and is lethal with the ball in her hand. Her shot mechanics need more fluidity and balance, and becoming a more consistent perimeter shooter will take her game to another level. She can attack the basket, get to her spots in the mid-range, and knows how to score in the paint. Defensively, she is a major impact player. Her footwork allows her to stay in front of ball handlers, disrupt actions on the perimeter, and close out hard-to-contest shots. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Leah McKenzie ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12124","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Loomis Chaffee","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69f0fe5c8e5c5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">McKenzie is a spot-up shooter but can also create her own shot and knock it down with accuracy. Her shooting mechanics are fluid with a quick release. She brings size, reads the floor well, and shows good anticipation, making smart decisions with the ball. She can slash to the basket and shows nice finishing ability around the basket, but tends to drive right every time. Plays tough, with a high motor, and is a necessary glue piece for her team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1041823"],"_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-69f0fc0f3f99c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sparks is a knockdown shooter who sees the floor well and makes smart decisions with the ball. She looks to get her teammates involved and understands how to play within the offense. Her mechanics and footwork come naturally, and she has a good feel for how to get open for clean looks. Defensively, she needs to be more physical and continue improving her footwork, especially when guarding stronger, more aggressive players who try to create separation.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Kayla Epps ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'5u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12123","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Monsignour Bonner ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69f0fe5c8e4d6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Epps is an elite point guard who knows how to get everyone involved and keep the offense flowing. She has smooth shooting mechanics and isn't afraid to take the big shots and get a bucket when her team needs one, but after shooting 22% from the arc last season, improving consistency from deep will be a key next step. She plays hard on defense, brings energy, and looks to force turnovers that can lead to easy transition points. She handles the ball well, changes direction quickly, and does a good job creating space to make plays for herself and her teammates.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1259194"],"_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-69f0fe5c8e52e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jackson is developing into a bona fide scoring option. An elite three-point shooter with range, she stretches the floor at a high level. Defensively, she plays with toughness, creating transition opportunities and taking on the challenge of guarding the best player. She has strong court vision, thrives in transition, and delivers darts that lead to easy baskets. She also attacks the rim effectively, using her explosiveness to beat defenders off the dribble and finish at the basket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->