TABC Girls Basketball Showcase: Top 5 “Next Level” Players

Out of the 16 teams and over 160 players I evaluated at the TABC event, five student-athletes separated themselves as true "Next Level" collegiate prospects. Their talent was unquestionable and, at times, breathtaking. The advanced skill sets, elite shot-making, and high basketball IQ displayed by these select few proved they are “Next Level” Student Athletes.   I already plan to attend all three days of the TABC showcase next year to expand my reach and cover more teams.     Here is a breakdown of the names you need to know.    [player_tooltip player_id='718995' first='Rachael' last='Roberts'] is the absolute truth.  She is year group 27 and stands at 5'9'. At the start of TABC, she already had eight offers, and she likely left the TABC showcase with double that amount. While every prospect has areas to work on before college, her flaws were completely invisible to me on the court. She overwhelmed her opponents on both ends of the floor. Her basketball IQ is off the charts, but what really separates Rachael is her unselfishness.   She regularly makes the right pass, dives on the floor for loose balls, and disrupts offenses with her on-ball defense and steals, all while possessing the ability to shoot the lights out. Watching her play leaves you with one question: Is there anything she can't do?       [player_tooltip player_id='901767' first='Jai' last='Johnson'] is a talented student-athlete who should be placed on college coaches' radars immediately. She is 5'10” and is the total package. Offensively, Jai is a legitimate three-level threat who is equally comfortable shooting from beyond the arc, creating off the dribble, or acting as an unselfish playmaker with the vision to make accurate, timely passes. Defensively, she is a fierce competitor who uses her length to disrupt passing lanes and guard multiple positions effectively. Her value to the lineup is unquestionable, and it is noticeable whenever she faces foul trouble or takes a breather and has to leave the game. With her unique combination of size, skill, and high basketball IQ, [player_tooltip player_id='901767' first='Jai' last='Johnson'] is a “Next-level” talent to watch closely over the coming years.       [player_tooltip player_id='1360598' first='Jordyn' last='Ihry'] is a name to circle immediately, as the 5'8” freshman is already putting Waco, Texas, on notice with her dominant play. Despite her youth, Jordyn plays with a mature, complete skill set that allows her to impact every single possession on both ends of the floor. What really separates her from other players is her elite physical conditioning; I don't recall her even coming out of the game to take a break, and she still remained highly productive on the court. With her unique combination of size, skill, and an undeniable work ethic, Jordyn is a “Next Level” student-athlete to watch closely over the next few years.       [player_tooltip player_id='928742' first='Shamiah' last='Taylor'] stands at 5'6” and is in year group 27.  To get right to the point: Shamiah can flat-out hoop, and it is a surprise she holds only one offer right now. She possesses a complete package offensively, displaying the confidence to let it fly from deep, create off the dribble, and deliver timely, accurate passes to open teammates. Her offensive game was on full display at her recent Oklahoma camp, where she deservingly took home the Offensive Player Award. What stood out most, however, was her toughness—playing through an injury with the kind of heart and guts that college coaches love. Shamiah is a resilient, high-impact competitor who will make an impact at the next level.       Aaziyah “Z” Degrate stands at 5'9” and is in the class of 2027. Z's game is silky smooth, and she is an exciting player to watch. Of all the players that I watched, she definitely leads the pack with her beautiful finishing moves in the paint. Z has a nice mid-range jumper and, truthfully, can score from all three levels. Her defense is also completely on point. What stood out to me most was how effortless her play looks on the court; you know she is working hard, but Z just makes it look easy. If given the opportunity, Z can absolutely compete and succeed at the collegiate level.          This is a bonus, Next Level Player, that I had an opportunity to watch train today.   Originally from McLean, VA, Mia plays her high school ball for The Potomac School, already holds two collegiate offers, and is heading to an invitational camp at Stetson University tomorrow.    When I walked through the door at the Destined for Greatness gym, her presence told me everything I needed to know. After watching her train, Mia is officially “THAT GIRL”! She is a big guard who can play all five positions on the floor if you need her to. However, I think she will be most successful as a two or three-guard at the collegiate level. Her size advantage and pure strength will allow her to easily post up smaller guards down low. She reminds me a lot of Rihyana "Rih" Kinsey—affectionately known as "Agent Zero"—who just graduated from La Vega and is now playing at UTSA.   Mia possesses elite handles and can power her way downhill with absolute ease. Her superpower is her strength, which sets up a lethal mid-range jumper. The mid-range game is practically a lost art, so seeing a player shoot it with that level of fluidity is incredibly impressive. Mia can literally knock down the middy with her eyes closed.   Bottom line: Mia is a next-level talent!  With her elite strength and her lethal mid-range jumper, she will be a nightmare for opposing guards to defend. College coaches, if you are reading this, Mia is absolutely the real deal.        #PrepGirlsHoops #PGHTexas #TABC #UnsignedSenior #WBBRecruiting #NextLevel #TexasHoops #GirlsHoops #CollegeBasketball #BallIsLife

Out of the 16 teams and over 160 players I evaluated at the TABC event, five student-athletes separated themselves as true "Next Level" collegiate prospects. Their talent was unquestionable and, at times, breathtaking. The advanced skill sets, elite shot-making, and high basketball IQ displayed by these select few proved they are “Next Level” Student Athletes.