‘24 Prospect Watch: The Rose Classic

In January, I attended the Rose Classic in Brooklyn, New York, and the talent was through the roof. Specifically, the prospects representing the class of ’24 were putting on a show. Here are some who performed at a high level.   [player_tooltip player_id="382696" first="Kate" last="Koval"] | LuHi| 6’4’’| PF <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-415851" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/04/721AECA7-E259-4546-AE44-14027E8C233A-scaled-crop-1660x1090-1650218738-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> Koval is an absolute monster and can get whatever she wants inside. Her size, strength, and touch around the basket make her impossible to stop when she catches the ball on the block. Koval can score with either hand, can deke her defender out of their shoes with a mix of fakes and pivots, and has three-point range. She was a nightmare matchup not just at the Rose Classic but all season long. She dominated the winter and put up mammoth numbers for LuHi.   [player_tooltip player_id="382697" first="Diora" last="Ressaissi"] | LuHi| 6’0’’| SF <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-415854" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/04/C0B37867-1AEC-4651-AA06-AEB412A4B829-scaled-crop-1707x1121-1650218963-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> Ressaissi just gets the job done. She isn’t a flashy player, but her skill set is what every team wants from their wing/stretch 4. She can consistently hit mid-long range shots, make intelligent decisions with the basketball, pass well, and attack the glass relentlessly. Ressaissi has a good nose for the ball when it’s coming off the rim and can make a living cashing in second-chance opportunities. With her size and skill, Ressaissi is a double-double threat on a nightly basis.   [player_tooltip player_id="384798" first="Ariel" last="Little"] | South Shore| 5’6’’| PG <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-415856" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/04/D984F79D-321F-4E69-AA6B-A135DBC8AD36-crop-1440x946-1650219032-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> Little arguably had the most impressive game at the Rose Classic. She scored 38 points in South Shore’s overtime win against LuHi and scored in every way possible. Little kicked off the game with a couple of deep three-pointers that set the tone for the team while mixing in an array of floaters and tough finishes around the basket. I also liked the way Little handled the ball in crunch time. Her ball security was near-perfect and was crucial to South Shore closing out the win.   [player_tooltip player_id="384799" first="Yahmani" last="Mckayle"]| South Shore| 5’7’’| CG <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-415858" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/04/39A978F7-483C-424A-8DA0-3B7CDBFD5D8F-scaled-crop-1707x1121-1650219108-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> McKayle’s change of speed and direction is absurd. When she is in transition, she can go from 0 to 60 and back down to 0 while staying under control like it’s nothing. McKayle is an unselfish guard who sees the floor well and isn’t afraid to show a little flare with her passes. She can score at all three levels, and most importantly, McKayle can create her shot on tight defense.   [player_tooltip player_id="384528" first="Kyara" last="Champagne"]| Holy Cross| 5’8’’| CG <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-415861" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/04/3AEEB0F1-2EB6-43BA-95BE-1A93B2B270A5-scaled-crop-1707x1121-1650219239-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> I liked Champagne mainly because she is a guard who rebounds well. She uses her upper body strength to her advantage and gets good position underneath the basket to rip boards off the rim. She also doesn’t settle for bad shots. Champagne will attack her defender and muscle her way to the rim resulting in multiple trips to the free-throw line.   [player_tooltip player_id="384527" first="Jianna" last="Davneiro"] | Holy Cross| 5’2’’| PG <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-415849" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/04/7B7C2EF0-6336-411C-9028-501741D3657E-scaled-crop-1660x1090-1650218540-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> Davneiro is undersized, but not many players compete as hard as she does possession after possession. Her leadership and poise showed down the stretch of Holy Cross’ comeback win vs. Murray Bergtraum, where she made big plays to secure the victory. Davneiro is a proficient three-point shooter and is lightning quick with the ball. She gets into the second level with ease and uses her body well to create contact. Her competitiveness also shows on defense. Davneiro digs in and brings the intensity consistently on that end of the court.