WA Freshman Showcase Standouts

The WA Freshman Showcase featured a number of promising young players, but this article focuses on the all-around players who stood out to me as a scout. These are players who showed good instincts, high basketball IQ, strong fundamentals, scoring/playmaking ability, and an understanding of how to impact the game in multiple ways.    A true all-around player who impacts the game at multiple levels. I watched Emmerie throughout much of the summer on the Adidas 3SSB circuit, where she consistently put up double-doubles. She is an outstanding rebounder with a natural ability to anticipate where the ball is going, a skill that also translates to the defensive end. Particularly in the press, Emmerie reads passing lanes extremely well and can turn a defensive play into a coast-to-coast scoring opportunity.   At this weekend's showcase, her continued development was on full display. She has added more versatility as a ball-handler in the open court, including the ability to go behind her back and create opportunities for teammates in transition. She has also expanded her scoring arsenal with a reliable mid-range game, while using her quickness to square up against taller defenders and attack the basket. Walcolm's combination of size, instincts, versatility and basketball IQ makes her one of the most talented, all-around players to watch in this freshman class.     [player_tooltip player_id='1901310' first='Ari' last='Moran'] is a true floor general who plays with good instincts, confidence, and a high basketball IQ. She is composed and under control in the half court, consistently making smart decisions and keeping her team organized. One of the most fundamentally sound players I watched this weekend, Moran combines a smooth shooting stroke with the ability to get downhill and create pressure on the defense. She is also an unselfish point guard who understands how to involve her teammates and make the game easier for those around her.     [player_tooltip player_id='1824596' first='Zoey' last='Wonderful'] was another standout at the WA Freshman Showcase, showcasing the versatility and basketball IQ that have made her stand out throughout the summer. A highly intelligent guard who can play effectively both on and off the ball, Zoey has a quick release and a consistent shooting stroke from downtown. She also does a great job getting downhill, attacking the paint and drawing fouls.   After watching Zoey on the Adidas 3SSB circuit this summer, I saw firsthand how well she performed against some of the best competition in the country, often leading her team in scoring. She is equally impactful defensively, using quick hands to pick pockets and excellent anticipation to jump passing lanes. Her high basketball IQ shows up in the little things, as she consistently makes heads-up plays that separate her from the pack.     Mila Rose was one of just three Oregon players to make the trip to the WA Freshman Showcase, and she made her presence felt across both states as one of the weekend's top performers. Mila has an impressive ability to get downhill, using pickups and Euro steps effectively to navigate her way to the rim. She can also stretch the floor with a strong three-point shot and plays an unselfish, team-oriented style of basketball.   Mila is a natural scorer who can get hot quickly and completely change the pace and outcome of a game. She does an excellent job using her body to create space, bump defenders and get to her spots, while finishing well around the basket. Mila is definitely one to watch in Oregon's 2030 class, and I look forward to following her high school career this season.     [player_tooltip player_id='1871403' first='Mya' last='Jackson'] was another standout at this weekend's WA Freshman Showcase, immediately catching my attention with her high basketball IQ and strong fundamentals. She does an excellent job as a floor general, consistently making plays and putting her teammates in a position to succeed. Mya is effective getting to the basket, drawing help defenders and then making controlled, accurate passes when the defense collapses. She also has a nice shooting stroke and finishes well in the paint. Her combination of poise, instincts and fundamentals makes Mya a player who consistently makes winning plays for her team, and will be a PG to continue to watch develop out of the class of 2030.     [player_tooltip player_id='1900165' first='Adriana' last='Gray'] is a true two-way player who impacts the game on both ends of the floor. She is an effective off-ball player with a number of skills that can often go overlooked. Adriana sets strong screens, rolls well to the basket and consistently finishes around the rim. She is also a physical rebounder who can clean up misses and create second-chance opportunities, while making smart plays when defenses collapse.   Defensively, Adriana's strength and size allow her to guard taller players and make life difficult for them in the paint. She also has a good shooting touch and uses her size and physicality to create problems for opposing defenses. Gray's versatility, physicality and willingness to do the little things make her a valuable two-way player and a standout to watch.     [player_tooltip player_id='1860002' first='Londyn' last='Jenkins'] is a strong floor general who brings a scrappy, high-energy approach to every possession. She hustles on every play while maintaining excellent control in the half court and does a great job pushing the ball in transition and finding open teammates. Jenkins also possesses incredible three-point range, with the confidence and ability to pull up from well beyond the arc—even from the logo.   Fundamentally, Londyn has the tools to develop into a high-level point guard. Her combination of toughness, court vision, ball control and shooting ability gives her the versatility to compete against top-tier talent on a national level.

The WA Freshman Showcase featured a number of promising young players, but this article focuses on the all-around players who stood out to me as a scout. These are players who showed good instincts, high basketball IQ, strong fundamentals, scoring/playmaking ability, and an understanding of how to impact the game in multiple ways.