Notables From the Badger Elite Camp: Part One

To start my week, I spent Monday and Tuesday at the Kohl Center for the Wisconsin Badgers' Elite Camp. Over the two days, I'd argue more talent walked in the door than there has in the previous three or four years I've attended the camps. I got to see some old faces who came from recent classes who are now playing for the Badgers, such as Teagan Mallegni, Adaline Sheplee, Giselle Janowski, and Leah Nordin, along with some of the most talented youngsters from the state and the region. Over the next few days, we will highlight some of the standouts from camp, as we near the final stretch of the AAU season this month.    The more I've seen Paldrimic, the more I've liked what she brings to the floor. She's a high-IQ kid who knows how to maximize her skill set and how to exploit weaknesses in the defense. She can operate with the ball in her hands, read defenses, and make the right play. She also has the size and skill to be a versatile player on both ends of the floor. Doesn't do anything flashy, but makes winning plays consistently.     The Pius XI guard missed her first high school season while recovering from a knee injury. McGowan is one of the better kids I've seen pressuring the ball defensively at the point of attack. She doesn't defend frantically; she's under control and picks her moments to make plays on the ball. She can disrupt an offense on her own by pressuring the ball.     Karcz is an extremley young prospect who still has plenty of room to grow into her frame and develop her skill set. Young players with size like hers tend to come along a little later, but there's a lot to like about her right now, as she heads into her eighth-grade year. She moves well for her size, can catch the ball in traffic, and uses her size to defend around the rim. There's a long way to go, but there's plenty to be intrigued by from the young Mount Horeb native.     The Wisconsin Rapids native was among the older kids on the first day of camp, but she showed plenty of positive qualities in her time in Madison. Konkol saw the floor well and utilized her passing to get her teammates open looks. She shot the ball when I watched her play, and I liked how confident she was. Konkol was also one of the most impressive players in the 3v3 portion of camp.

To start my week, I spent Monday and Tuesday at the Kohl Center for the Wisconsin Badgers' Elite Camp. Over the two days, I'd argue more talent walked in the door than there has in the previous three or four years I've attended the camps. I got to see some old faces who came from recent classes who are now playing for the Badgers, such as Teagan Mallegni, Adaline Sheplee, Giselle Janowski, and Leah Nordin, along with some of the most talented youngsters from the state and the region. Over the next few days, we will highlight some of the standouts from camp, as we near the final stretch of the AAU season this month.