Evaluating the Summer Jam stock risers, part 1

Timing is everything. When it comes to recruiting, players can be great from week to week but a strong performance in front of the right people at the right time can make all the difference in the world. With national scouts in the gym, and plenty of regional college coaches also on hand, several players made a fine impression over the weekend at the [program_tooltip program_id='712722' first='North' last='Tartan'] Summer Jam. Here are five prospects who did that in a big way and raised their stock in the process.    Hilgert was one of the most consistently impressive players we watched all weekend. The 5-foot-10 Chanhassen guard seemed to impact every possession in one way or another as the Fury rolled through the top 15U division undefeated. Fresh off an outstanding high school season, Lucy has continued to expand her game throughout the spring and summer. She averaged 14 points per game this weekend (about what she's done all summer) while doing just about everything else, too. She scores from all three levels, handles the ball with confidence, passes well, rebounds aggressively, and defends with purpose. What I appreciate most is her composure. Hilgert  never appears rushed or rattled, instead operating at the pace that makes sense in the moment. There is a maturity to her game that stands out immediately, and her motor never seems to cool off.     Richardson plays with the kind of calm confidence that coaches and teammates tend to gravitate toward. The Northfield wing averaged 8 points per game at Summer Jam, but her impact extends well beyond the scoring column. At 5-foot-11, Siri uses her prodigious length effectively on both ends of the floor, whether she's contesting shots, chasing rebounds, or slipping past defenders with her long strides to elevate and score. Richardson is a reliable perimeter shooter, a quality passer, and an active defender who consistently does the little things that help her team win. I also appreciate how hard she works. Richardson runs the floor relentlessly, competes on every possession, and has the physical tools and work ethic to suggest that she will excel at the next level.     Kennett is one of those players whose value becomes more apparent the longer you watch. The 6-foot forward from Sioux Falls Washington isn't chasing statistics or trying to get herself on a highlight reel. She just spends possession after possession doing difficult, often thankless work. Lauryn has played big minutes when we've watched the top Warwick squad play this summer, defending with intensity, and using her ample length to make life miserable for opposing scorers. She seems to level up when guarding the strongest opponents and is routinely locked in from start to finish. Offensively, Kennett shoots it smoothly in catch-and-shoot situations and finishes comfortably with either hand around the basket. She's not a high-volume scorer, (at least not when we've watched) but that's missing the point. Players with her length, focus, and defensive instincts are always worthy of attention.     It becomes more difficult with each passing tournament to describe Helmer as merely a promising young player. The Mounds View standout, playing up a year on the elite [program_tooltip program_id='712722' first='North' last='Tartan'] 15U EYBL squad, continues to perform like one of most-gifted incoming freshmen in Minnesota. Averaging over 10 points per game at Summer Jam, Jaycie once again demonstrated why so many people are realizing just how great she can be. She's physically strong for her age, highly skilled, and remarkably poised under pressure. Helmer scores from all three levels, creates opportunities for teammates, and competes relentlessly on both ends of the floor. What's most obvious is her presence. Helmer has that “it factor” and never appears rattled, always seems in control, and plays with a confidence and feel for the game that simply cannot be taught.     Full disclosure: Setzer's new team (All-Iowa Attack) didn't play at Summer Jam but we saw her on Monday at the University of Minnesota's elite camp. The 6'2 forward from Sioux Falls Christian made such an impression there that we simply had to include her in this week's evaluations. Setzer is a top-three prospect in South Dakota's Class of 2027 with perhaps the highest upside of any player in the state. College coaches are finally noticing and why not. Lezlei has the traits those coaches look for: size, strength, toughness, and drive. She rebounds effectively, can dominate inside and is not shy about being physical. She's also really, really athletic. With a ton of room for growth and development, Lezlei's potential is limitless.

Timing is everything. When it comes to recruiting, players can be great from week to week but a strong performance in front of the right people at the right time can make all the difference in the world. With national scouts in the gym, and plenty of regional college coaches also on hand, several players made a fine impression over the weekend at the North Tartan Summer Jam. Here are five prospects who did that in a big way and raised their stock in the process.