Emerging Stars in Women's Basketball: Meet the Bigs

USE CODE "tinnon30" FOR 30% OFF THE FIRST PURCHASE OF ANY SUBSCRIPTION   Let's go! Throughout the week, I will continue to drop updates on teams and players who are hooping throughout the country. These young ladies, of course, come from our state, which I might add has been doing a tremendous job competing on the hardwood (or puzzled courts). I would like to point out something that I have noticed here lately, and sometimes their efforts go unnoticed.   Lately, we have had some outstanding play from our bigs. They have come out and set the tone for their ballclubs. They have brought physicality; they have either kept possessions alive or eliminated them by being on the boards. Lastly, I have seen a sheer dominance in the paint, especially when it comes to protecting the rim. Now, our bigs in the state come in all shapes and sizes. However, it's their grit and determination that I have been impressed with.   Here are some young ladies who have piqued my interest from the center position over the last couple of days.    This young lady is blossoming into a gritty ballplayer. She is a solid kid who can score the basketball, but is a beast, especially on the defensive end. Her length poses as a threat to opponents as she can block shots like no other. In one game, she swatted up to 9 blocks, sending them away from the basketball. She should have been waving her finger like Mutumbo, because there was no way the other team was going to score down low. Offensively, Destini possesses nice footwork along the blocks that enables her to put the ball in the hole over either shoulder. Keep your eyes on this young lady because she is about to take off.     Nike has a saying, “ Just do it.” Coaches have a saying, “ Just play.” CK just plays and competes. For starters, she just goes and hustles on both ends of the floor. She communicates, calling out screens, plays, actions, and all the above. Offensively, she can knock down 3s, the mid-range change, and fill it up from the low blocks. She has a knack for being in the right place at the right time, as she is known to keep plays alive and score trash buckets. Defensively, she is going to battle, making it tough for opponents to operate. She can fit into any system and is going to be a true asset at the next level.     I am excited about this kid as she has made strides and is going to be a key piece for the Lady Raiders this upcoming season. This kid just battles in the paint and is willing to do whatever it takes to help propel her ball club. She is on the boards, uses her size to deter shots. Offensively, she is golden in the paint and the elbow areas. You're talking about a kid who is a competitor, as soon as the ball tips off, she gives it her all and then some. She is not done growing as a player, so look for her to master some things that will help propel her stock to rise in the future. Solid kid who is about to be a fixture on collegiate recruiting boards.     Physical. Relentless. This kid is a monster, especially when it comes to rebounding the basketball. SO many times, not only in school ball but on the circuit, she has kept plays alive by gaining the ball from the boards. She, too, has a knack for being in the right place at the right time for a put-back or grabbing the basketball on the defensive end and outletting it to a guard to start a transition break. She isn't the biggest post, but she is utilizing her strength to create havoc down low. Built to compete and strong as an ox, she makes it tough to operate near the basket. She can score multiple ways inside the arc, but her ability to rebound stands out in my opinion.     I love to try to compare our kids to NBA ballplayers, and this might be a slight understatement, but she is like our Jokic in the state (She's not that slow.) KM plays with poise, doesn't get rattled at all. She can pass out of double teams, finish around the rim either faced up or with her back to the basket. She rebounds, blocks shots, etc. She is a focal point and a key cog in both high school and travel ball. She doesn't get caught up in what she can't control, she just balls cause she loves it and works at her craft. She has been a problem for years, and her game has gotten even better the more she has competed. She is a tough kid who understands her role and what her team needs, then goes out and exploits an opponent's weakness. A solid kid who is going to be a tremendous get for a club at the next level.

USE CODE "tinnon30" FOR 30% OFF THE FIRST PURCHASE OF ANY SUBSCRIPTION