Next up: Class of 2027 Guards You Need To Know

As the travel ball season reaches its halfway point, players are gaining confidence and developing a deeper understanding of their games—right on time, as the spotlight continues to grow and more eyes are watching.    [player_tooltip player_id='874197' first='Kareena' last='Ortiz'] moves well without the ball, knowing when to lift toward the action to get open shots and create space on the floor. Her ability to create separation without the ball makes her an ideal teammate for ball-dominant players. When defenses collapse or double her teammates, she consistently positions herself to catch and shoot—knocking down the three at a high rate and forcing defenses to stay honest.     [player_tooltip player_id='348017' first='Charlize' last='Coats'] makes smart decisions with the ball in her hands and runs the offense effectively. She plays with patience and has the ability to finish at the rim with either hand. When shooting, she displays a consistent follow-through and keeps the ball positioned directly under the basketball, creating a straight shot path with good arc on every release.     (Cover Photo)[player_tooltip player_id='738971' first='Gabi' last='Iturralde']'s game continues to elevate as her confidence grows on the floor. Initially known for her shooting—something she does very well—Gabi is now initiating contact while attacking the rim and creating off the dribble. She's also finding open teammates within the offense and in transition. Adding this dimension to her game makes her a bigger scoring threat and allows her to stay productive even when her shot isn't falling, consistently contributing to both points and wins.     [player_tooltip player_id='400811' first='Elle' last='Deegan'], a 5'10" guard, can get her shot off over both smaller guards and taller defenders thanks to her quick, pop-shot release. Her ability to quickly get the ball into her shooting pocket, align her body and the ball with the basket, and release at the peak of her jump—while landing balanced in the same spot—makes her a shooting machine. On any given day this travel season, she could easily compete for the title of best shooter in the gym.     [player_tooltip player_id='1036691' first='Ava' last='Bruno'] is a true two-way, 3-and-D player. She's disruptive on defense, using her length to force turnovers and applying relentless pressure—often picking up full court and staying in her matchup's personal space. Offensively, she sprints out in transition and consistently knocks down the three, having already hit several clutch shots this travel season to either take the lead or force overtime. Ava plays hard and fast, yet remains controlled on both ends of the floor.     [player_tooltip player_id='1134047' first='Delanie' last='Doty'] is a pure hooper who can flat-out score—whether it's off the catch, off the screen, or off the dribble, she gets buckets. Doty has some of the best footwork I've seen from a guard, which allows her to control the pace, change direction quickly, and execute moves with both explosiveness and control. Her ability to decelerate and create space gives her the freedom to get her shot off whenever and however she wants. Her footwork when shooting off the catch is just as impressive—using inside-outside footwork to stay balanced, even on quick releases. She can also hop and land on two feet, speeding up her release. Her timing is next level and has definitely stood out all travel season.

As the travel ball season reaches its halfway point, players are gaining confidence and developing a deeper understanding of their games—right on time, as the spotlight continues to grow and more eyes are watching.