All-Star Weekend, All-Star Performances in Chi-Town

The final NCAA live period of the summer brought some of the nation's top travel ball programs to McCormick Place in Chicago for Nike Nationals, the EYBL circuit finale, and one last opportunity for players to compete in front of college coaches with their travel clubs. With WNBA All-Star Weekend taking place throughout the city, the atmosphere around girls and women's basketball made for an exciting backdrop to close out the travel ball calendar.   Over the course of the weekend, I had the chance to evaluate prospects from across the country, including EYBL programs and top independent teams. As expected, several players elevated their stock with standout performances against high-level competition. Here are some of the prospects who caught my attention and left a lasting impression in Chicago:    London put together one of the best performances I've seen from her, and she did it on one of the biggest stages of the summer. The big guard consistently got downhill and used her strength to put her shoulder into defenders, create space, absorb contact, elevate high, and finish at the rim. She also flashed outstanding court vision with several high-level passes that showcased her ability to create for teammates as well as herself. London scored with confidence, knocked down shots when given space, and looked comfortable taking over stretches of the game. I've watched her numerous times over the years, and this was some of the best basketball I've seen her play. Her combination of size, physicality, shot-making, and playmaking was on full display.     Braelyn was one of the most intriguing young post prospects I watched all weekend. It is not always easy to evaluate true post players at the younger age groups since many of the top ones are playing up, but she consistently stood out with her size, mobility, and instincts around the basket. She converted an and-one putback while showing a quick second jump and the ability to elevate for rebounds and finishes. Braelyn reads the ball well off the rim, uses her reach to secure rebounds, and already possesses a good frame that projects well to the next level. There is still plenty of upside as she continues to develop her finishing through contact and embrace a more physical style of play. Based on what I have seen, she is one of the top post prospects in the Southeast's 2030 class.     Angie continued to impress with her poise and skill as a lead guard. She is shifty with the ball, plays with excellent pace, and has some of the best handles in her class which allows her to create separation and keep defenders off balance. Despite being a smaller guard, she elevates well around the rim and uses her craftiness to finish when near bigger defenders. Her shooting mechanics are fundamentally sound with a quick, repeatable release that makes her a threat from the perimeter. Angie also plays with the confidence of someone who regularly competes against older players by making smart decisions while controlling the flow of the game and creating quality opportunities for both herself and her teammates.     Cali showed noticeable growth in her back-to-the-basket game as an area that appears to have been a clear point of emphasis in her development. She established deep position, used strong footwork, and scored on multiple post-ups with soft over-the-shoulder finishes that showcased her touch and elevation around the basket. She also stayed active on the offensive glass, earning extra possessions and drawing fouls with her physical play. Cali's combination of size and length continues to make her an intriguing prospect, and as she stays healthy and continues to build on her post game, she has all the tools to remain a highly recruitable player at the next level.     Ella put together a well-rounded performance by impacting the game on both ends of the floor. Offensively, she confidently knocked down a three-pointer off the dribble and consistently kept her dribble low which allowed her to navigate pressure and stay under control. She made quality reads with the ball in her hands and delivered timely passes that created scoring opportunities for her teammates. Defensively, one of her best plays came in transition during a 2-on-1 break when she anticipated the ball handler's decision perfectly, rotated at the right time, and came up with a blocked shot on the other player at the basket. Her instincts, court vision, and ability to contribute in multiple facets of the game stood out throughout the game I watched.

The final NCAA live period of the summer brought some of the nation's top travel ball programs to McCormick Place in Chicago for Nike Nationals, the EYBL circuit finale, and one last opportunity for players to compete in front of college coaches with their travel clubs. With WNBA All-Star Weekend taking place throughout the city, the atmosphere around girls and women's basketball made for an exciting backdrop to close out the travel ball calendar.