Summer Studs Pt. 2: Thunderstruck

Below are more standouts from the Under Armour Finals and Select Summer Championship headlined by the 17u Under Armour Champion West Virginia Thunder.    [player_tooltip player_id='254273' first='ZaKiyah' last='Johnson']|West Virginia Thunder|6'0''|SF|'25   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/07/343D55AC-3C3C-403C-AFF5-5E570D7BED56-crop-1365x897-1659215032.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-470158"/><figcaption>Photo: JT Shotz</figcaption></figure>   Johnson took over the Championship game with big three-pointers in the second half to put the Thunder in a position to beat FBC United. In a 4 overtime battle, Johnson did her part in being a key piece offensively for her team from the perimeter and underneath. What might get overlooked is that Johnson was pivotal defensively. She is a prospect who clearly showed the skill set to put up 20+ points, but Johnson will also make it hard for the opposition to score on the other end. I like players who stand their ground, battle in the trenches, and are high-level defenders on the interior; Johnson did that, and it was instrumental to the Thunder being victorious.    [player_tooltip player_id='149858' first='Kymora' last='Johnson']|West Virginia Thunder|5'9''|PG|'23   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/07/AAC548A7-DFFC-4529-B70B-24BDEFACD73C-crop-1302x855-1659215083.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-470160"/><figcaption>Photo: JT Shotz</figcaption></figure>   Johnson makes everything go for the Thunder. She sets the tone and lives for the big moments, so it wasn't a surprise that she was one of the best performers throughout the Tournament. Johnson's finishing creativity is unmatched. With either hand, she is elite at scoring at the rim. Johnson knows how to get to her spots and dominate the game at all three levels. The change of speed and direction, combined with her handle and court awareness, make her one of the most dangerous guards around.     [player_tooltip player_id='360697' first='Darriana' last='Alexander']|West Virginia Thunder|6'1''|PF|'25   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/07/1F833D41-A624-420B-81AB-9EB6B96DD73B-crop-1302x855-1659215201.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-470162"/><figcaption>Photo: JT Shotz</figcaption></figure>   Alexander is the kind of power forward college coaches will kill to have on their roster. She never takes possessions off, sprints the floor,and outworks everyone. Her rebounding and nose for the ball off the rim are ridiculous; she controlled the game from that standpoint offensively and defensively. Alexander got up the floor quickly and greatly contributed to the Thunder's fastbreak scoring. Defensively, Alexander was always the first one back and drew a couple of charges throughout the game.    [player_tooltip player_id='279967' first='Amani' last='Abuhatab']|BattleCon|5'7''|CG|'23   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/07/CDAFEEF1-3A16-4072-8A6B-F864E77495AB-crop-1394x916-1659215294.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-470165"/><figcaption>Photo: JT Shotz</figcaption></figure>   Abuhatab always stands out amongst other guards because of her willingness to rebound consistently. She reads the ball off the rim and gets herself in prime position to secure the possession. Abuhatab will get 6-8 points off second chances alone and is one of the strongest finishers at her position. She is not afraid to challenge rim protectors and finds a lot of success scoring in the paint.    [player_tooltip player_id='273940' first='Gianna' last='Nichols']|MCW Starz|5'6''|PG|'25   I watched Nichols operate a lot off the ball last weekend. Even with Nichols not being the primary ball handler, she still was the same potent scorer she's always been. She knocked down her outside shot consistently and ran the floor well in transition, filling lanes and scoring effortlessly. I didn't see a drop-off in Nichols' play playing the 2 guard. Even though she doesn't have the ideal height for that position, Nichols proved in spurts, she can be very productive in that setting.    [player_tooltip player_id='452109' first='Karissa' last='Antoine']|NY Havoc|6'1''|SF/PF|'24   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/07/B9C95707-E2F1-4158-A9EA-EB2F197B9DCF-crop-1365x897-1659215345.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-470167"/><figcaption>Photo: JT Shotz</figcaption></figure>   Antoine is one of the most athletic forwards in the gym, and I don't have to think twice about it. Her offensive game is complete, and she can beat you from the inside/out. Antoine has nice post-footwork and several scoring moves under her belt. I was very impressed by Antoine defensively. She showed the versatility to defend the perimeter and interior while being the most vocal player on the court. Antoine communicated nonstop during the game and was an active weak-side defender who protected the rim.    [player_tooltip player_id='326206' first='Taylor' last='Barner']|FBC Carolina Elite|PG|'24   Barner relentlessly attacked the defense and challenged anyone who met her at the rim. She is a lefty who asserts herself on offense early in the game and sets the tone. Barner is a confident shot creator with either hand and is so quick with the ball that defenders struggle to keep her out of the paint.   [player_tooltip player_id='148136' first='Jasmine' last='Brown']| Example Wolfpack|5'9''|SG|'23   Brown dominated both sides of the ball against the Bay State Jaguars. She got into a rhythm early on and knocked down a couple of outside jumpers but also penetrated aggressively. Brown absorbs contact like a sponge in pursuit of the basket and plays through it. Brown is a physical defender who sits in her stance and has the lateral quickness to stick both guard positions. She also was alert and impactful on the weak side.    [player_tooltip player_id='266531' first='Sheyenne' last='Swain-Price']|Bay State Jaguars|6'0''|PF|'23   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/07/5258104A-BDFD-46D9-B544-01B9539E8D19-crop-1302x855-1659215418.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-470169"/><figcaption>Photo: JT Shotz</figcaption></figure>   Swain-Price is a double-double machine who makes a living at the free throw line. She cleaned up the offensive glass and racked up countless second chance points, some resulting in and-one opportunities. Swain-Price is a sneaky good shot blocker, too. She times her jump perfectly and sends shots loudly out of bounds.    [player_tooltip player_id='108315' first='Sophi' last='Hall']|Minnesota Fury|6'1''|SG/SF|'23   The athletic and versatile Hall made a great first impression on me on Day 1. She is a stretch forward who calmly shoots over the top of the defense and consistently cashes in three-pointers. Hall sprints to spots and is very bouncy. She is quick to the ball when rebounding and displayed good elevation around the basket when finishing.

Below are more standouts from the Under Armour Finals and Select Summer Championship headlined by the 17u Under Armour Champion West Virginia Thunder.