Oregon Talent on Display: Standouts from the WA Expo Showcase

[player_tooltip player_id='1125424' first='Kyoko' last='Beasley'] is a fast, athletic two-way guard who has the attributes to play at the next level. She definitely stood out at the Expo in Washington—not only as one of the Oregon players in attendance, but as a standout across the event as a whole. Kyoko plays high-level basketball year-round with Jason Kidd Select and Jefferson High School, and that experience shows in the way she approaches the game. She plays with confidence, pace and a clear understanding of how to create advantages.   Kyoko's speed in transition and ability to get downhill make her extremely difficult to guard. Once she gets a step on her defender, she does a great job finishing at the rim, but she is also a willing playmaker who keeps her head up and can find her bigs inside. Her handle and creativity make her especially dangerous because she has multiple ways to attack a defense. Kyoko can use her quickness to get by defenders, counter with a mid-range pull-up or step outside and knock down shots from deep. She is a crafty offensive player who keeps defenders guessing and has the skill set to score at all three levels.   Kyoko is definitely a player to watch as she continues to develop and increase her physical presence on the court. Her combination of athleticism, speed, ball-handling, court vision and three-level scoring gives her a tremendous foundation, and I am looking forward to following her development throughout the upcoming high school and AAU seasons. She is one of the Oregon players from the Expo Showcase who really caught my attention, and I believe she has plenty of room to continue growing her game.     [player_tooltip player_id='1232853' first='Jasa' last='Lindsey'] is a fun player to watch, and I have had the opportunity to follow her development since she was a younger player, including throughout this past summer on the Adidas 3SSB Circuit. What stands out most about Jasa is how smooth and composed she is with the ball, even when playing under pressure. She plays with poise as a floor general and has the ability to control the pace of the game while still being a consistent offensive threat.   Jasa is constantly looking to lead the charge in transition and has the speed and confidence to push the ball coast to coast. She can also slow things down, set up the offense and make good decisions with the ball. When defenders give her too much space, she can make them pay from beyond the three-point line. Her ability to change pace and keep defenses off balance makes her a difficult guard to contain.   Defensively, Jasa brings that same versatility and confidence. She isn't afraid to guard multiple positions and can apply consistent ball pressure against opposing point guards while also getting inside and making life difficult for bigger players. She does a great job pressuring the ball, blocking out and competing for rebounds, showing that she is willing to do the work wherever her team needs her.   Jasa has a high ceiling, and her combination of poise, pace, offensive versatility and defensive toughness makes her a player I will be watching closely. I am looking forward to following her development throughout the upcoming high school and AAU seasons and seeing how far she can continue to take her game.     Francesca “Frankie” Koehnke had a great breakout freshman year and continues to play at a high level. She definitely stood out at the Expo, showcasing her shooting ability, playmaking and poise as a ball-handler and floor general. Frankie plays with a lot of joy and brings an energy to the court that is easy to notice. She also understands that impacting the game isn't always about scoring—she consistently does the little things that help her team succeed.   Offensively, Frankie has the ability to step up when her team needs a big play. Whether it's knocking down a three-pointer when the defense gives her an opportunity or putting the ball on the floor and driving to the basket, she is comfortable creating offense in different ways. What also impressed me is her strength for her size. Frankie is able to absorb contact, play through physical defense and finish in the paint, allowing her to play bigger than she is.   Frankie's combination of shooting, playmaking, poise, strength and genuine joy for the game makes her a player who can impact winning in a variety of ways. After her breakout freshman season, she looks poised to continue building on that success and developing into an even more complete player.     [player_tooltip player_id='1822887' first='Brooke' last='Stevens'] had an early ankle injury at the Expo, but she continued to compete through it and still managed to knock down some nice shots from the outside, as she normally can get hot from beyond the arc. That toughness was a good reflection of the type of player Brooke is. She is definitely a defensive specialist who embraces the challenge of taking on an opponent's best guard. Brooke brings a physical, tenacious approach to defense and doesn't shy away from competition.   One of the things she does particularly well is apply consistent ball pressure and use the sideline to her advantage, forcing her matchup toward the boundary and making it difficult to create offense. Brooke uses that pressure to disrupt the opposing team's rhythm and create opportunities, often turning her defensive effort into steals and transition chances for herself and her teammates. She understands that good defense can be a catalyst for offense, and she plays with the kind of relentless effort that can change the momentum of a game.   Brooke is the type of player you want on the floor because she brings a tempo and tenacity that empowers her team's success. Her grit, physicality and defensive mentality make her the type of player coaches can trust with difficult assignments. Her willingness to compete, defend the other team's best guards and create opportunities through her defense makes her a valuable contributor and a player who can impact winning in ways that go far beyond the stat sheet.     [player_tooltip player_id='1268505' first='McKenna' last='Pruner'] has great size for a combo guard, and that versatility allows her to impact the game in a number of ways. She has the strength and size to guard taller players and step inside against bigger opponents when needed. She is also a strong rebounder who uses her physical tools to secure defensive boards and can quickly turn those opportunities into offense with putbacks around the basket. Her willingness to compete inside gives her another dimension that you don't always see from a guard.   Offensively, McKenna has a really impressive shooting stroke. She consistently finds open spots beyond the arc and is comfortable knocking down three-pointers, but her range extends well beyond the typical catch-and-shoot opportunity. If defenders give her too much space, she has the confidence and ability to pull up and make them pay. McKenna also moves well without the ball and has a good understanding of how to get herself into her scoring spots.   Her basketball IQ is another part of her game that stood out to me. Against a zone, McKenna does a great job recognizing open space, attacking the baseline and creating scoring opportunities. She also understands the importance of defensive rebounds and protecting possessions, showing that her impact goes beyond scoring. McKenna's combination of size, shooting range, positional versatility, basketball IQ and understanding of the little things makes her an intriguing combo guard to watch as she continues to develop.     [player_tooltip player_id='1266089' first='Jazmin' last='John'] is a great hustler who has a natural knack for finding the basketball on both ends of the floor. She consistently pursues the ball and plays with an aggressive mentality defensively, putting pressure on opponents and creating turnovers. When she gets a takeaway, Jazmin immediately looks to turn defense into offense, attacking in transition and pushing the ball coast to coast.   Offensively, Jazmin has strong fundamentals and a good shooting stroke from the outside. It's clear she has been taught the importance of proper shooting mechanics, and that foundation shows in her ability to knock down shots when given the opportunity. She also does a nice job moving without the ball, finding open space and putting herself in good positions to score rather than standing and waiting for the ball.   Jazmin's combination of hustle, defensive instincts, fundamentals, shooting ability and movement without the ball makes her a player who consistently finds ways to impact the game. Her relentless pursuit of the basketball and willingness to make plays on both ends make her a valuable contributor to her team.     [player_tooltip player_id='1918390' first='Rylie' last='Betteridge'] is a strong guard with really impressive shooting mechanics. She shoots extremely well from beyond the arc and consistently gets excellent arch on the ball, giving her shot a high percentage of going in. Her mechanics are fundamentally sound, and that consistency shows up when she gets an open look. Rylie has clearly put the work into developing her shot, and she has the confidence to step into her opportunities and make defenses pay.   Defensively, Rylie brings the same work ethic and competitive approach. She hustles, stays engaged and works hard on every possession. But give her an opening on the offensive end, and she can quickly make you pay from the outside. When Rylie gets an open shot, she has the shooting mechanics and consistency to knock it down. Her combination of reliable perimeter shooting, strong fundamentals and defensive effort makes her a player who can provide value on both ends of the floor.   Rylie's ability to consistently shoot the ball with proper mechanics gives her a strong foundation, and as she continues to develop the rest of her game, her shooting will remain an important weapon.