Top Performers at Brooks DeBartolo Summer League

Summer basketball for me is simply about getting in the gym and finding players that deserve more attention. That was the case during a trip to the Let's Do Basketball Summer League at Brooks DeBartolo. With teams from around the Tampa Bay area competing throughout June, it provided an opportunity to evaluate players in a different setting than travel ball or the regular high school season. Some were familiar faces I've seen, while others were players I had either never watched before or had only seen in brief appearances. Summer league can be an ideal environment for evaluation. Players often have expanded roles, coaches experiment with lineups, and younger prospects are given opportunities to play meaningful minutes against varsity competition. It also offers an early glimpse at which teams and players could be ready to take a jump before the 2026-27 season begins. Below are the players who stood out most during my time at Brooks DeBartolo and why they're worth keeping an eye on as the high school season approaches:    This was my first opportunity to see Ellayna since transferring to Brooks DeBartolo, and she immediately looked comfortable in her new role. As one of the team's veterans, she'll be counted on to provide leadership for a young group, and she set that tone with her energy and competitiveness. Defensively, she was constantly active, generating deflections and disrupting passing lanes. Offensively, she shot the three with confidence and clean rotation while showing the ability to create off the dribble, including a nice hesitation move that led to a baseline finish. What stood out most was her feel for the game. She sees the floor well, makes crafty reads, and delivered several difficult passes in mid-air that created quality scoring opportunities for her teammates.     Lyric was the biggest surprise of the night for me. I had heard about her, but this was my first opportunity to see both her and her twin sister in person, and she certainly made an impression. She plays with a strong, physical style and consistently attacked the basket with purpose. Whether it was powering through defenders on baseline drives or getting downhill in transition, she refused to let defenders keep her out of the paint. She also showed a polished midrange game by knocking down multiple pull-ups, attacked the offensive glass relentlessly, and displayed good a nice vertical around the rim. A smooth step-through runner added another layer to her scoring package. If she continues extending her range and becomes a consistent threat from beyond the arc, she has the tools to develop into one of the more dangerous offensive weapons in the Tampa Bay area.     AJ looks poised to take on a much larger role this season as one of the leaders on a young roster. She has a good frame with length that allows her to impact the game in a variety of ways. One of the things that stood out most was her willingness to take on the opposing team's top player defensively. That's a challenge not every player embraces, but it's the type of responsibility that will accelerate her development. She was vocal throughout the game by communicating with teammates while protecting the rim with timely blocked shots. Offensively, her versatility showed as she comfortably brought the ball up the floor, made smart reads as a passer, and consistently pushed the pace by advancing the ball in transition. She also finished a couple of difficult transition opportunities through traffic. With her motor, defensive mindset, and all-around skill set, AJ has the tools to be the engine that keeps this young team competitive.     Jy'Aira has the physical tools that immediately catch your attention with a nice frame, athleticism, and a quick first step that allows her to create separation. She consistently got downhill and attacked the rim by using long strides and a crafty step-through finish to navigate through traffic. Her offensive package also included a smooth spin move and a euro step that showed she's comfortable scoring in multiple ways around the basket. Defensively, her athleticism translated as well, highlighted by several impressive interceptions where she jumped passing lanes and snatched passes out of the air. She also displayed good vision by making jump passes to open teammates after collapsing the defense. To top it off, she proved she can stretch the floor by knocking down shots from beyond the arc. With her blend of explosiveness, versatility, and two-way impact, Jy has the foundation to become a difference-maker in her senior campaign.     This was my first opportunity to see Hannah, and she quickly showed why she's an important piece for Brooks DeBartolo. She has a knack for making winning plays and keeping possessions alive through hustle and effort. Offensively, she consistently got to two feet, played under control, and made good decisions instead of forcing the action. She also rebounded well for her position and displayed a well-rounded skill set that impacts multiple areas of the game. After carrying much of the offensive load as a freshman last season, she'll now benefit from having more talent around her. That should allow her to play with greater freedom and showcase even more of her all-around game while continuing to be a steady presence for the Phoenix.     Alongside her twin sister Lyric, Lhondyn was one of the biggest surprises of the night. The two share similar frames, strength, and athleticism, making them a difficult duo to contain. Lhondyn played with confidence by consistently attacking the paint and showing the ability to score in a variety of ways. She knocked down multiple runners, finished through contact at the rim, and converted a tough and-one that highlighted both her balance and physicality. She embraces contact instead of avoiding it and plays with a relentless motor on both ends. If she continues building on her skill set, Lhondyn has the tools to become a true impact player in the Tampa Bay area.     Jasani put together several impressive stretches that showcased her offensive versatility and athleticism. She shot the ball well, even while on the move, demonstrating confidence and solid mechanics. Her quickness allowed her to create advantages off the dribble, and she did a nice job turning those opportunities into quality looks for her teammates with smart passes. She also showed touch around the basket by finishing with either hand, making her difficult to defend once she got into the paint. With her speed, shot-making ability, and playmaking instincts, Jasani has the tools to impact the game in multiple ways if she puts in the work and effort as an Upperclassmen.     Liana made the most of her opportunities with an efficient offensive performance and a high motor throughout the game. She knocked down a corner three with confidence and followed it up by showing nice touch on a floater in the lane. Her shot mechanics are fundamentally sound, giving her a strong foundation as a perimeter shooter. She also played with good body control, staying balanced on her drives and finishes while consistently competing with energy on both ends of the floor. Liana's combination of effort, shooting ability, and composure makes her a player worth monitoring as she continues to develop as a young 2030.     Sa'kayla did a strong job of consistently getting into the paint and making plays for others. She showed good vision as a passer and repeatedly found open teammates when the defense collapsed on her drives. Her ability to read pressure and deliver the ball on time stood out, including a strong one hand swing pass that kept possessions moving. Offensively, she also showed confidence scoring the ball with a nice spin move that led to a left handed finish at the rim. She was active cutting through the lane and finished well around the basket when she got downhill. KK's blend of playmaking instincts, feel for the game, and ability to create advantages makes her a valuable connector on the floor.

Summer basketball for me is simply about getting in the gym and finding players that deserve more attention. That was the case during a trip to the Let's Do Basketball Summer League at Brooks DeBartolo. With teams from around the Tampa Bay area competing throughout June, it provided an opportunity to evaluate players in a different setting than travel ball or the regular high school season. Some were familiar faces I've seen, while others were players I had either never watched before or had only seen in brief appearances. Summer league can be an ideal environment for evaluation. Players often have expanded roles, coaches experiment with lineups, and younger prospects are given opportunities to play meaningful minutes against varsity competition. It also offers an early glimpse at which teams and players could be ready to take a jump before the 2026-27 season begins. Below are the players who stood out most during my time at Brooks DeBartolo and why they're worth keeping an eye on as the high school season approaches: