On the Rise: Under-the-Radar DMV Freshmen

The DMV Freshman Showcase featured plenty of talented young prospects, and while some players entered the gym with established names, others used the opportunity to put themselves on the radar. These freshmen may not have received as much attention coming into the event, but their play throughout the day made them difficult to overlook. Whether it was their skill, athleticism, effort, or ability to impact the game in different ways, each showed flashes that caught our attention. Here are some under-the-radar freshmen who made an impression and are worth keeping an eye on moving forward.    Sometimes it's the little things you do when you think no one is watching that matter. Josephine was on the court early getting up shots, and her accuracy immediately caught my attention. She made shot after shot with excellent form from the mid-range, and I casually watched her reel off around fifteen straight makes. Of course, there was no defense, but those early reps paid off once the games started. Josephine knocked down some of those same mid-range shots in live action while also showing the ability to connect from behind the arc. At around six feet tall, her size allows her to get clean looks at the rim, and when she gets her feet set, she showed that she can be a very effective shooter.     Emma was one of the smallest players in the camp, but she played with one of the biggest hearts. She showed no fear stepping up to defend some of the top players in the building and displayed the skill to create opportunities for herself on the offensive end. She also showed good speed in transition and was willing to push the pace when given the opportunity. It will be interesting to watch her compete at the varsity level, where she will regularly face players who are older, bigger, and stronger. If her blocked shot against one of the 6'2" players at the showcase was any indication, Emma appears more than ready to embrace that challenge.     Ayat had a nice frame and, while she may be a little undersized at the post, the way she uses her body to finish through contact and the strength she displayed help make up for the few inches she gives up. She was one of the better finishers around the basket throughout the day, showing the ability to use her strength and positioning to score inside. As she continues to develop her perimeter game, her post skills should become even more valuable. Expanding her ability to play away from the basket will allow her to take advantage of players her size by using the interior skills she has already developed.     Isabella showed nice size for an incoming freshman and used it well throughout the showcase. She was a good finisher on drives and was just as effective playing through contact around the basket. I liked her ability to rebound and anticipate where the ball was going to come off the rim, especially on the offensive glass where she turned several opportunities into putbacks. Defensively, she was solid in the interior, doing a good job of securing and maintaining her position. Her combination of size, physicality, and instincts around the basket gives her a solid foundation to build on as she enters the high school level.     Heavayah was really good at navigating through traffic and showed a nice change of direction with the ball in her hands. She was able to zig-zag her way through the lane, changing angles and avoiding defenders on her way to the basket. One of her more impressive plays came when she split the defense and converted a reverse layup between three defenders, a finish that had heads turning throughout the gym. Her ability to maneuver in tight spaces and find a path to the rim was impressive throughout the showcase.

The DMV Freshman Showcase featured plenty of talented young prospects, and while some players entered the gym with established names, others used the opportunity to put themselves on the radar. These freshmen may not have received as much attention coming into the event, but their play throughout the day made them difficult to overlook. Whether it was their skill, athleticism, effort, or ability to impact the game in different ways, each showed flashes that caught our attention. Here are some under-the-radar freshmen who made an impression and are worth keeping an eye on moving forward.