Jazz City Jam: 16U Hidden Gems

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The next wave was on full display at Jazz City Jam, and the 16U division made one thing clear—the future is coming fast. This group brought energy, toughness, confidence, and a different level of hunger every time they stepped on the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While some players already had names buzzing, it was the underrated prospects and hidden gems that really stole the spotlight throughout the weekend. From fearless guards controlling the pace to versatile wings making plays on both ends, this division was loaded with athletes ready to take that next step.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What stood out most was the competitiveness. Every possession mattered. Players defended with intensity, attacked downhill, knocked down big shots, and embraced physical basketball. The skill level was impressive, but the mentality separated this group even more. These athletes weren't backing down from the moment—they were attacking it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Several prospects showed they are starting to understand how to impact winning at a high level. The IQ is improving, the confidence is growing, and the upside is real. Coaches and scouts in attendance saw a 16U class filled with potential, versatility, and athletes hungry to prove they belong.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And honestly… this group is only scratching the surface.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 16U division at Jazz City Jam wasn't just talented—it felt different. The depth, passion, and competitive fire throughout the weekend showed that there are plenty of new names ready to make noise across the region moving forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>NEXT UP means staying ready before the spotlight finds you… and after this weekend, the spotlight is definitely starting to find them. 👀🔥</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Did you miss my most recent article?<br>Tap in using the link below and stay updated on the latest evaluations, rankings, and rising prospects.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Follow me on Instagram or X: @CoachLathan</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2026/05/jazz-city-jame-15u-hidden-gems/?preview_id=1857332&amp;preview_nonce=f98384522a&amp;preview=true&amp;_thumbnail_id=1858135">Jazz City Jame: 15U Hidden Gems | Prep Girls Hoops</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2026/05/jazz-city-jam-13u-top-performers/">Jazz City Jam: 13U Top Performers | Prep Girls Hoops</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2026/05/jazz-city-jam-16u-top-performers/">Jazz City Jam: 16U Top Performers | Prep Girls Hoops</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2026/05/jazz-city-jam-17u-top-performers/">Jazz City Jam: 17U Top Performers | Prep Girls Hoops</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2026/05/jazz-city-jam-15u-top-performers/">Jazz City Jam: 15U Top Performers | Prep Girls Hoops</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1309016"],"_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-6a0b322ec4f80"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Raby continues to prove why she's one of Louisiana's rising young guards after another strong showing at Jazz City Jam. The Liberty Magnet prospect brought toughness, defensive energy, and nonstop effort every time she stepped on the floor, making her one of the more underrated guards in attendance this weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Offensively, Raby showed flashes as both a scorer and playmaker throughout the event. She attacked downhill aggressively, pushed the pace in transition, and created opportunities for teammates with smart reads and unselfish basketball. Her ability to rebound the basketball and instantly turn defense into offense gives her team momentum-changing plays that don't always show up in highlight clips.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Liberty Magnet guard already has recognition inside Louisiana's 2028 class rankings and continues trending upward as she develops physically and offensively. What makes her intriguing long term is the combination of effort, competitiveness, and defensive impact. Those traits translate at every level of basketball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1309016' first='Jamia' last='Raby'] may still be considered a hidden gem by some, but after performances like this at Jazz City Jam, that label may not last much longer. She plays with confidence, embraces hard-nosed basketball, and brings the type of energy coaches love building around.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1850571"],"_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-6a0b322ec5009"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1850571' first='Kailey' last='Miles'] made her presence felt at Jazz City Jam with a strong combination of size, toughness, and versatility that immediately caught attention throughout the weekend. The 2029 forward out of Louisiana continues to show why she's a rising prospect with long-term upside, bringing energy and physicality every time she stepped on the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Offensively, Kailey showed flashes of being a versatile forward capable of contributing in different ways. She ran the floor well in transition, attacked the glass aggressively, and finished through contact around the rim. Her ability to play both inside and on the perimeter gives her intriguing upside as she continues developing her offensive skill set and confidence with the ball in her hands.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the biggest takeaways from Jazz City Jam was her competitiveness. Miles plays hard, communicates, and doesn't shy away from physical matchups. Those are traits coaches love at the next level because effort and toughness always translate. As she continues to grow into her game offensively, her ceiling becomes even more interesting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1850571' first='Kailey' last='Miles'] may still be flying under the radar to some, but after her performance at Jazz City Jam, she's definitely a name coaches and scouts should start remembering. The potential is there, the toughness is real, and the future looks bright for this young forward</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1229694"],"_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-6a0b322ec5073"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Aaliyah Johnson brought toughness, physicality, and nonstop competitiveness to Jazz City Jam, proving she's one of the more intriguing frontcourt prospects in Louisiana's 2028 class. The 5'9” forward/center consistently impacted the game with her strength, effort, and willingness to battle every possession.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Johnson's presence around the paint stood out throughout the weekend. She played with confidence inside, attacked rebounds aggressively, and embraced contact on both ends of the floor. Whether it was protecting the rim, fighting for second-chance opportunities, or defending bigger matchups, Aaliyah brought a physical edge that helped her team compete at a high level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">What makes her game interesting is her versatility in the frontcourt. She has the ability to operate as a power forward while also handling center responsibilities because of her strength and toughness. Her motor consistently showed up defensively, where she contested shots, clogged driving lanes, and made opponents uncomfortable around the basket. Her willingness to do the dirty work separated her from many players in attendance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As she continues developing her offensive skill set and overall consistency, Johnson has the tools to continue climbing as a rising Louisiana prospect. Players with size, physicality, rebounding instincts, and defensive toughness are always valuable—and Aaliyah showed plenty of those traits at Jazz City Jam.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1820284"],"_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-6a0b322ec50e2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1820284' first='Serenity' last='Antoine-Tyson'] made her mark at Jazz City Jam with a confident scoring mentality and competitive energy throughout the 16U division. The 2028 shooting guard consistently brought intensity on both ends while showing flashes as a dangerous perimeter scorer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Serenity played with confidence offensively, knocking down shots, spacing the floor, and attacking scoring opportunities without hesitation. Her ability to create offense and bring momentum-changing energy stood out throughout the weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensively, she competed hard, stayed active, and embraced physical basketball every possession. Her toughness, effort, and willingness to battle helped separate her from the pack against older competition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">As she continues developing her overall consistency and offensive skill set, Antoine-Tyson has the tools to continue rising as a prospect in Louisiana's 2028 class. Jazz City Jam gave her another opportunity to show her potential—and she definitely turned heads in the 16U division.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1820286"],"_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-6a0b322ec514a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1820286' first='Hailee' last='Smith'] impressed at Jazz City Jam with her composure, creativity, and ability to control the pace as a young point guard. The 2028 prospect played with confidence all weekend, attacking the basket under control and finishing through traffic with touch and body control.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smith showed strong playmaking instincts, creating opportunities for teammates while also proving she can score when needed. Her ability to handle pressure, make smart reads, and stay poised stood out throughout the event.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Defensively, she competed hard, stayed active on the perimeter, and brought consistent energy every possession. Hailee continues to show why she's a rising hidden gem in Louisiana's 2028 class, and her performance at Jazz City Jam definitely turned heads</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->