Underclassmen to Know from Nike Nationals

While the older prospects drew plenty of college coaches throughout the final live period, some of the weekend's most exciting performances came from the younger classes. Nike Nationals provided an opportunity for rising prospects to test themselves against high-level competition, and many looked right at home on one of the biggest stages of the summer.   From polished lead guards to versatile wings and emerging post prospects, the future of girls basketball was on full display in Chicago. These underclassmen showcased advanced skill sets, confidence beyond their years, and the upside to become some of the next big names in their respective classes and states:    Eva continues to prove that age (and height) is just a number by standing out while playing up two classes and logging heavy minutes against older competition. The quick lefty is shifty with the ball in her hands and uses crafty handles to consistently create opportunities for herself and her teammates. She knocked down multiple runners in the lane with excellent touch and caught fire from beyond the arc by confidently knocking down several three-pointers when I was watching. Eva's poise, shot-making ability, and playmaking instincts are advanced for her age, and she continues to show why she is one of the most exciting young guards to watch in Florida.     Kamiyah showcased an intriguing blend of size, skill, and versatility that makes her one of the more promising young prospects out of Georgia. She has a good frame that projects well and the ability to stretch the floor with her shooting while also putting the ball on the deck to attack the basket. Around the rim, Kamiyah is a crafty finisher who is comfortable using either hand to make her difficult to defend in traffic. Her combination of length, offensive versatility, and long-term upside makes her a young talent to keep an eye on as she continues to develop.     Sophie impressed me while playing up a class by showing a mature and versatile game that translated well against older competition. She does a great job of getting to two feet under control which allows her to finish plays and make sound decisions in traffic. With good size for her age and position, Sophie is comfortable handling the ball and creating offense from multiple spots on the floor. She showcased a smooth spin move to create separation, elevated well on a midrange jumper, and effectively finished with either hand around the basket. Her combination of size, skill, and versatility gives her a strong foundation and plenty of long-term upside.     Pippi put together another impressive performance by making winning plays without forcing the action. She consistently maintained good spacing and took advantage of defenders who lost track of her by making timely cuts that led to easy scoring opportunities. She also caught fire from beyond the arc, and knocked down multiple threes in a short span to spark her team and shift momentum. Pippi has good positional size, elevated well in the midrange with a controlled jump stop, and used her physicality to create advantages against smaller guards. She also just picked up an offer from Jacksonville University this week. Her combination of feel for the game, shot-making ability, and strength continues to make her one of the more impactful young prospects to monitor.     Myra immediately caught my attention with an emphatic block that highlighted the length and athleticism she brings to the floor. She possesses a great frame and runs the court exceptionally well for her size which makes her a difficult matchup in transition and the half court. Offensively, Myra has the versatility to stretch the floor and score from all three levels while also showing the ability to put the ball on the floor and get by defenders when the opportunity presents itself. It has been a big summer for her as she has picked up four Division I offers since June, and her combination of size, skill, and upside continues to make her one of the more intriguing frontcourt prospects in NC.

While the older prospects drew plenty of college coaches throughout the final live period, some of the weekend's most exciting performances came from the younger classes. Nike Nationals provided an opportunity for rising prospects to test themselves against high-level competition, and many looked right at home on one of the biggest stages of the summer.