Top 50 Earned Not Given: Next Level Bigs

Several players, at or around six feet, were at the 6th annual [program_tooltip program_id='713173' first='Wood' last='Elite'] Showcase and several had impressive days in front of the double digit college coaches on the baseline, as well as top national evaluator Dan Olsen. Some of these players will play on the perimeter in college, some will play in the post, and a couple will probably apply their trade in both areas of the court on the next level. Three of these players are no doubters when it comes to playing division one basketball and a lot of college coaches don't know who they are...yet.    I have seen Niya play a bunch and the New Jersey transplant never disappoints. Sunday was no exception as she stood out as of the very best players at the event. In high school competition as a freshman last season with Commerce, Daniels dominated the competition scoring around the rim and it was de ja vu all over again at Woodstock. Niya was almost un-guardable slashing over and around the defenders before finishing smoothly at the rim. Niya played a lot more on the perimeter than usual and looked very competent and confident doing so. She took a few jump shots from the midrange during competition, something I have not seen her do a ton of in the past. If she can add a consistent jump shot to go along with her very effective interior play, then she has a chance to be a P4 player. Elite athleticism to go with ideal size and length. She currently has offers from North Carolina A&T and Gardner-Webb.     Ari was very impressive again in my second time seeing her at a showcase in less than a month. The first was at the Prep Girls Hoops Georgia Sophomore ID Camp, where she was easily one of the very best players there as well. A true two-way player, Ari blocked and deflected shots in the paint while also getting deflections and steals on the perimeter defensively. She is tall, long, and has great agility and athleticism. Offensively, Ari showed once again that she is a very good shooter from the perimeter, both midrange and from three-point range, knocking down shots on the move in the halfcourt. She finishes with touch around the rim with both hands and does a good job elevating over defenders. I expect her to have a huge sophomore year after transferring to a very talented North Paulding program. She has D1 potential and I have no doubt she will end up, but is an under the radar kid who will find herself ranked very high when the 2029 rankings come out this Fall.     Zara is making a really strong case that she deserves a Top 10 spot, and possibly higher, in the 2030 class in Georgia. She was one of the very best players at the Prep Girls Georgia Hoops Freshman Showcase in August which included some very skilled kids. The class in Georgia maybe the best in the country (I think it is), so in any other state Mopa would be in the top three for sure. She is tall, really long, and plays with guard skills that are very rare for a kid her size and age. She pushed the ball herself in transition consistently, often after snatching a defensive rebound out of the air above the crowd. Mopa was weaving in and out of traffic with ease before dishing the ball to an open teammate or scoring herself on the break. Zara showed the ability to knock down shots from the perimeter when they were there but got to the rim and scored effectively all day long. Both parents were division one college basketball players (St. Mary's and Vermont), so she plays with a very high basketball IQ already. She has a chance to join the very top group in the state that include [player_tooltip player_id='1868145' first='Kimora' last='Wynn'], [player_tooltip player_id='1821564' first='Jordyn' last='Avila'], [player_tooltip player_id='1688677' first='Kennedi' last='Harris'], [player_tooltip player_id='1867900' first='Payton' last='Day'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1822566' first='Nkenna' last='Nwokoro']. Huge potential and upside here!     Kayden left a big impression on me at the event on Sunday, leaving me intrigued and wanting to watch her play again. She is long, tall, but bouncy is the word for Rush. She was very effective and fluid slashing her way to the basket before rising up over the defense and finishing at the rim. Rush was equally effective using her length and leaping ability while hitting the offensive boards and getting put backs at the rim. Kayden looked equally comfortable and smooth operating on the perimeter setting screens and keeping the ball moving. Her money will be made in the paint on the next level, where she should have no problem finding a home. Kayden is very good now but is far from the finished product and could be an all-conference type player on the division two level or potentially a solid contributor on the D1 level before her career is done.     Kamri was a player I noticed very early on at camp and was excited to watch when I figured out who she was. I had heard a lot of good things, but had not seen Sanders play in person for an extended period with my own eyes. She did not disappoint. The first thing comes to mind is guard skills. She was very good posting and sealing her defender. She finished very well using both hands at the rim, scoring through contact and over smaller defenders. Kamri showed excellent footwork for a player her size in very tight quarters avoiding defenders on her way to the rim. Now, the guard skills- she looked very confident with the basketball in her hands operating on the perimeter. Sanders shot the ball really well from the outside, but it was her passing ability that stood out most. I don't know where she will play (position) in college but point forward is certainly not out of the question. She is a smart, well-spoken kid who could finish high school with a monster two years at Model.     Brenley looks like a college player now with her height and strength at the forward positions, playing well both inside and out during three versus three competition and when the players got up and down playing five on five. Matthews is one of the best shooters in the state in the "big" category regardless of class and that excellent form and follow through was on display once again on Sunday. The biggest takeaway for me was her ability to put the basketball on the floor and get by big defenders who did not have her quickness and foot speed. Matthews almost converted a really nice spin move driving to the paint with her left hand that would have really been impressive. If she can consistently show the ability to drive the ball, her already high stock will only elevate more. I expect her to have a much bigger role for the defending state champion Creekview Grizzlies in her junior season. She is receiving interest from multiple division two schools and has an offer from in state D2 Shorter University.     I have seen Mackenzie a lot the last few months with both Woodstock and [program_tooltip program_id='713173' first='Wood' last='Elite'] and there is no doubt that she is a future college player. She hit multiple shots from three during live play to go along with a tough offensive rebound and crafty reverse finish for two. Defensively, Slater blocked multiple shots again, something she seemingly does in every game I watch her play. She plays with a very high motor and competes on both ends against high level competition in the games I have seen her teams play. She may measure 5'10, Slater plays like a six-footer and impacts the game in a lot of ways. Defensively, she doesn't just use her length to block shots, but puts pressure on ball handlers making their lives difficult. She is a sneaky good athlete who consistently rebounds the ball at a high level for her position.

Several players, at or around six feet, were at the 6th annual Wood Elite Showcase and several had impressive days in front of the double digit college coaches on the baseline, as well as top national evaluator Dan Olsen. Some of these players will play on the perimeter in college, some will play in the post, and a couple will probably apply their trade in both areas of the court on the next level. Three of these players are no doubters when it comes to playing division one basketball and a lot of college coaches don't know who they are...yet.