One of only a couple non-seniors in the Saints’ rotation against Iowa City High during a December matchup, O’Brien looked as advanced as any of the older teammates around her. The maturity includes a willingness to move the ball when she doesn’t see a play and defending with sound technique. O’Brien slides her feet, stays down and keeps her hands straight up. The junior flashes sound shooting form and can operate effectively around the rim. She hits the backboards hard and runs the floor well.

CR – Xavier is going to be in a rebuild some-what this upcoming Winter with a new coaching staff and the loss of Libby Fandel due to graduation. The good thing is that they will return a few players from years past. Someone who has the potential to be a producer in multiple statistic categories over the next two years as a SG is Cayleigh O’Brien Cayleigh O’Brien 5'8" | SG CR - Xavier | 2027 IA . O’Brien can shoot it. She has better than average coordination, she plays off of two feet, and she never gives up on a play. She isn’t the type of player to take off plays defensively either. She is always working hard on the floor. It’s easy to see. As long as this group comes prepared over the next six months, O’Brien should make some waves. If that is the case, she will receive some love from the next level before you know it.

Coming off of a State Title, CR – Xavier will have to find a new identity as they lose their star PG/SG in Libby Fandel Libby Fandel 5'11" | CG Cedar Rapids Xavier | 2025 State IA and their legendary coach, Tom Lilly, due to retirement. Someone that will be on their roster next Winter, who should start from the looks of it is SG – Cayleigh O’Brien Cayleigh O’Brien 5'8" | SG CR - Xavier | 2027 IA . O’Brien is as natural as they come as an offensive player. She gets the ball to go into the basket a lot and in several different ways. She isn’t someone that is going to kill you with flash but with consistency. This weekend that was obvious. She was getting to either side of the hoop and finishing through contact, she stepped up defensively to make some stops against some of the best prospects in the building, and she demonstrated that she is a solid teammate all-around. I would like to see O’Brien become a little more vocal when she is out on the floor but that will come with experience and confidence so I’m not too worried about it.

It’s always tough for younger prospects to see the floor in the CR – Xavier program but someone out of the 2027 Class, that can really do a solid job of playing both ends is Cayleigh O’Brien Cayleigh O’Brien 5'8" | SG CR - Xavier | 2027 IA . O’Brien has some pure skill on offense at the SG position, while she competes off of the basketball. Defensively, she is a hard worker, that understands where to be in all sorts of different moments. By the time that O’Brien becomes an upperclassmen, I’m sure she will receive constant Varsity minutes with her Saints program.

Cayleigh showed on Saturday that she will be a key role player off the bench this season. Building off of the experienced gained her freshman year, Cayleigh looked poised, made good decisions, and made a number of hustle plays for the Saints. I especially loved her fighting against post players for a handful of offensive rebounds. Cayleigh’s grittiness and motor will be much needed for CR Xavier this season.