The Expo: 2029 Talent I Want in the Gym

The Expo is right around the corner, and while I've spent plenty of time highlighting some of the older prospects I'd love to see in the gym, it's time to turn my attention to the 2029 class. Michigan has an exciting group of young players who have already given me plenty to talk about through the travel season, team camps, elite camps, and showcases. The Expo provides another opportunity to bring talented players together in one gym and see how they compete against one another. This group has already shown flashes of what makes them intriguing, and I'd love another chance to watch them compete and continue to learn more about their games. Here's a look at some of the 2029 talent I'd love to see in the gym at The Expo.   Use code "Danyle26PGH25OFF" while signing up for a discount!    Avery is a 2029 guard I would love to see in the gym at The Expo because of the versatility she brings to the floor. She is a long perimeter player who can handle the ball, attack the basket, and knock down open shots from behind the arc, but she has also shown that she is comfortable mixing it up inside. Avery uses her strength to establish position in the paint, has soft hands when receiving entry passes, and can finish through traffic off two feet. She also moves well without the ball and makes smart cuts to create scoring opportunities. Defensively, Avery's length and activity allow her to close out quickly, move laterally to cut off driving lanes, and create turnovers with her hands. She plays with consistent effort and isn't afraid to battle bigger players around the basket. That combination of perimeter skill, size, and willingness to play inside makes Avery a 2029 I would really like to see compete at The Expo.     Zaya is a 2029 guard I would love to see compete at The Expo because of the number of ways she can impact a game. She is a long, athletic guard with a shifty handle and quick first step that allow her to create separation, get downhill, and put pressure on the defense. Zaya can also stretch the floor, showing the ability to knock down shots from behind the arc and giving defenders another thing to account for. Her athleticism shows up well beyond the offensive end, as she rebounds effectively from the guard position and uses her length and timing to come up with blocks defensively. Zaya recently earned MVP honors at Grand Valley after putting together a strong all-around performance during 5-on-5 play. With her combination of length, athleticism, scoring ability, and defensive impact, Zaya is another talented 2029 I would love to have in the gym at The Expo.     Alayna is a 2029 guard I would love to see at The Expo because of the toughness and defensive presence she brings to the floor. At the PGH Michigan Freshman Showcase, she made an impact with her quick hands and ability to apply consistent pressure on the ball. Alayna has good instincts defensively, timing her opportunities to pick pockets, create steals, and make opposing ball handlers uncomfortable. Her strength also allows her to impact the game beyond the perimeter. Despite playing the guard position, Alayna isn't afraid to battle on the boards and compete for rebounds in traffic. She brings a physical element to the backcourt and finds ways to contribute even when she isn't scoring. Her defense, strength, rebounding, and competitive play are all reasons I would love to get another look at Alayna competing against a talented field at The Expo.     Azarriah is a 2029 guard I would love to see in the gym at The Expo because of the confidence and skill she already brings to the position. She plays with excellent control with the ball in her hands, using a quick crossover and strong rip-through to create separation and get past defenders. Once she turns the corner, she has the burst to get downhill and finish at the basket. Her handle and ability to change direction make her difficult to stay in front of and give her different ways to create off the dribble. Azarriah also stays active defensively, using quick hands to disrupt possessions and create turnovers. Her confidence, ball-handling, downhill ability, and defensive activity make her another talented 2029 guard I would love to see compete at The Expo.     Evi is a 2029 guard I would love to see in the gym at The Expo because of the effort and discipline she brings to the defensive end. She plays with toughness and pays attention to the details that can easily go unnoticed. Evi does a great job closing out under control, applying pressure while staying disciplined and avoiding unnecessary fouls. She also understands the importance of finishing defensive possessions, consistently finding a body and boxing out before going after the rebound. For a guard, her willingness to compete on the glass adds another valuable piece to her game. Evi doesn't need the ball in her hands to make an impact, and her defense, rebounding, and consistent effort give her ways to contribute throughout a game. I would love to see Evi bring that same defensive mindset and compete against the talented 2029 field at The Expo.

The Expo is right around the corner, and while I've spent plenty of time highlighting some of the older prospects I'd love to see in the gym, it's time to turn my attention to the 2029 class. Michigan has an exciting group of young players who have already given me plenty to talk about through the travel season, team camps, elite camps, and showcases. The Expo provides another opportunity to bring talented players together in one gym and see how they compete against one another. This group has already shown flashes of what makes them intriguing, and I'd love another chance to watch them compete and continue to learn more about their games. Here's a look at some of the 2029 talent I'd love to see in the gym at The Expo.