Film Room Session: EYBL

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first live period of the season took me to Manheim and while I wasn't able to be present at Boo Williams, I got my hands on countless hours of film that I broke down this week. Here's who stood out and why:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["982714"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-681646989be3d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cheech plays with this cool and calm demeanor where she never looks fazed and rarely gets sped up or taken out of her comfort zone. In short, she controls the pace! She ripped through the lane and split defenders to get to the cup. Whether a baseline rips, a high-arching floater or a straight-line drive inside, she was determined to score at the basket. She also showed off range, able to deliver off the catch whether given space or with a hand pressed squarely in her face. Lots of defensive integrity to get a hand on passes and ignite the fast break. Undeniable hustle on both sides of the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["651515"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-681658cbeef17"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hannah showed what a versatile 6'2" can do, giving us a glimpse of big things to come this summer! She made short jumpers look easy, using her length to get shots up over smaller defenders. She was able to show command in the low post with her back to the basket and flipping up some put-backs. Fluid mobility saw her run the floor hard and even lead the pack in transition time after time. A defensive anchor, she locked down both the interior and the perimeter with some adamant rejections! It didn't matter the defensive switch or assignment because she was able to impose her will against 1-5. A matchup nightmare in-the-making.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["559070"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-681658cbeef78"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jada picked up exactly where she left off last season. Running with the Gemz for her final go-around, she showed incredible efficiency from the 3-point line. On opening day vs juggernaut Team Takeover, she went 4 for 5 from deep! Impressive, yes. A total shocker? Absolutely not, because this is what she does! She can GO OFF on any given day against anybody. Her physicality was a big difference-maker, able to bulldoze her way through the lane and maintain control to make lay-ins look easy. That aggressive style of play saw her rebound at a high level from the guard spot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["913945"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-681658cbeefbf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Annie was locked in running the point! She found gaps in coverage to dish out some impressive dimes to cutting teammates and well-timed entry passes to the post. There was no hesitation in her 3-point shot, pulling up and popping with complete confidence; teams struggled to successfully close-out because of her super-quick release. She has developed a tireless motor and showed she can play just as hard and run the floor just as fast in the first half as she can late in the second. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["981887"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-681658cbef004"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">GiGi continues to add to her bag. Off the bounce, her first step seems even quicker than it did this past season of high school hoops. She's leaving defenders in the dust and slicing through multiple levels of defense to tally points at the rim. Her ability to finish with either hand adds a layer of unpredictability in the open court; defenders have to work overtime to figure her out. Close to 6'0" tall and physically strong, she was able to have her way with smaller guards; punishing dribble penetration and strong shooting from distance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["559029"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-681665d877a49"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ava was a menace on defense, locking down the perimeter and applying intense ball pressure. She made it so tough to get past her, keeping active hands and sticking with the ball, which typically left the opponent no choice but to pass it up. An absolute hawk! On the flip side of things, she was poised controlling the point, able to skate by the defense and get in the lane. With Big O setting brick-wall screens, it gave her the ability to get to work, whether curling around for rips inside and creating space for a long-range pop. Ava is a high IQ player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["919624"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-681665d877ac6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Nawel's efficiency was through-the-roof! A wickedly versatile performance saw her drain long-range daggers and pound the paint for easy buckets. Her length and bounce was on full display for put-backs, at times looking like she was going to tap the bottom of the back board! The southpaw attacked the lane and showed off a pretty fadeaway from the mid-range. She was able to create a different angle of attack for the rim which made it difficult for defenders to block.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["981918"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6816670787017"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">College coaches came for the Gemz, but they stayed for Hailey. The way she got to her spots with quickness and ease was a thing of beauty! Her mid-range pull-up jumper remains the best part of her game, smooth and efficient. Once she gets to the elbow, it's money! She was a difference-maker on opening day vs Team Takeover, contributing to the scoring column at a high clip and making an impact on the boards. She's an inch or two shy of 6'0' but plays so much bigger!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->