AAU Closing Moments: Who Had A Strong Spring and Summer Season

<h3 class="wp-block-heading">As AAU season wraps up, I wanted to highlight players who have really had a strong summer so far. Strong in the sense of raising their stock as a prospect, developing their skill, or adjusting to a new role or new team. Offers during this season don't always tell the full story. Below are some prospects who I feel have put together a really strong travel season.</h3>    Though her AAU season was cut short due to injury, the immediate jump in her game from her freshman year to this summer didn't go unnoticed. A majority of James' impact early on came from being far more athletic than almost anyone on the court, and at a young age, that athleticism can take precedence over skill. However, her development from freshman season to this summer was clear. She played with much better pace and control, her decision making improved in both speed and accuracy, and defensively, she showed more discipline on the perimeter. Regardless of missing this upcoming high school season, I truly believe this time away from the game will only help her basketball IQ.     The biggest thing that has stood out to me this summer is Cooper's ability to turn nothing into something. Just when you think the play is over or a turnover has happened, she finds a way to create an even better one, which to me speaks to her creativity. When you're playing within a different system, being able to play with that type of freedom and flow seems to bring out the best in her playmaking and vision. As her overall offensive skill set as a scorer continues to expand, a big junior season could be ahead for Mikaela.     If there was a breakdown on how to adjust and still make an impact, Nanank's situation would be front page. Coming off averaging the most PPG in high school, she joined a program where she wasn't going to be the sole focal point offensively. That meant learning to play off the ball, scoring with fewer dribbles, playing at different speeds, facilitating for teammates, being okay with someone else taking the big shot, and even understanding that some games wouldn't come with major minutes. If usage rate was tracked in both AAU and high school, there would be a major difference between the two, but I truly don't believe her impact ever declined. If anything, I think it grew because she had to find different ways to affect the game. Overall, she went from being the first option to one of many because she was surrounded by other talent, just as good, if not better. To me, that should show coaches two major things: coachability and adaptability. I'm excited to see how she carries what she learned this summer into her final high school season.     Tierney has had the 3&D label over the past couple of seasons, but watching her play over the summer, whether through film or in person, one notable thing has been her ability to move without the ball and make quick decisions after receiving the pass. Whether that's playing with pass first point guards or alongside players who draw a ton of attention, she has developed a skill that forces defenses to guard her differently instead of simply playing up tight. Heading into a high school season with a different group of talent than she's previously played with, that part of her game is going to be necessary.     Melton has definitely made a case to be on varsity heading into her sophomore season, and if she can carry over the same confidence and smoothness she's shown throughout the summer, she'll be a notable piece for them to use. From an offensive standpoint, this kid can truly play, and much of her scoring ability seems to come naturally through instinct. She moves well with the ball, not overly flashy but not stiff. She can read the floor to score and to control the pace and make a play for her teammate. A sure stock riser in our rankings come the next update.