First Coast 2024s Who Were Off the Radar This Past AAU Season

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There were many players who were off the radar this past live period and some missed the entire AAU season. These 2024 players played huge roles in their teams' success last year and look to play a similar or greater role this upcoming season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='349326' first='Nykeria' last='Thomas'] / 2024 / 5'10” SG / Mandarin High School</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thomas didn't play travel ball this past travel season, so look for the now Junior guard to be hungry and ready to participate in some live basketball action. Thomas is ranked in the top 40 of the 2024 class and at 5'10 she is a special talent. Thomas can play the one, the two, and the three and can score at all levels on the court, but it's that mid-range and transition game that make her special. Thomas is long and athletic and does a good job on the defensive end of the court. She plays the passing lanes well and is an excellent shot blocker with great timing. last season, Thomas was amongst the leaders in the 2024 class in steals and assists. She averaged nearly 4 steals per game, 4.2 assists, and nearly 14 points per game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='248283' first='Kennedy' last='Hill'] / 2024 / 5'8″ SG/SF / Andrew Jackson</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The two-sport star Hill spent most of the summer on the track. Coming off of a monster high school track season and placing in the State for the second season consecutive state says it all. Hill has the talent and has plenty to say on the basketball courts this upcoming season. The lefty Hill is a slasher and can get to the goal in a hurry. She rebounds well and has the ability to take it all the way back for the score. Hill showed signs last year including a 20-point second-half performance in the Gateway Conference tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='349280' first='Maya' last='Richards'] / 2024 / 5'9″ SF / Ponte Vedra</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Richards is a multi-sport athlete and a versatile player for the Lady Sharks. Over the past 2 seasons, Richards has played 4 positions due to an undersized roster. She can score the ball from all levels of the court and is very effective in the transition game. She does an excellent job of filling the lanes and getting to the rim. Richards can also step behind the arc and knock down the three on occasion. Defensively she has tenacity and heart and of course, some quick feet and speed to go along with those intangibles. Richards averaged 5 rebounds per game and was very impactful in the Lady Sharks playoff run last year. She will again play a big part in the team's success this upcoming season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Amina Yassin / 2024 / 5'8″ SG /Mandarin High School</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yassin has shown over the past two seasons that if you leave her open for the three she is taking the shot. She has been successful shooting the long-range ball, but she can take it to the rim as well. With the departure of 4 seniors, Yassin will be asked to increase her scoring a little bit and that is right up her alley. She is a talented offensive player so that is right up her alley. Yassin has the ability to defend the two and the three and could provide a defensive punch for the Mustangs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='349377' first='Mychaela' last='Parker'] / 2024 / 6'1″ C / Orange Park</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Parker played in the summer league, but she was not at the live period in Louisville and Orlando. Parker has the potential to be a problem in the middle for opposing teams this upcoming season. Parker is solid and only a few teams have a player who can match Parker's size and strength in the middle. Parker has the ability to foul out the opposing center and get to the line 7 to 8 times per game. Last season, Parker went to the free throw line 77 times and grabbed 158 rebounds for the season. Parker played a small role in last year's playoff run and with the exit of Nia Brown, she will have the opportunity to put her stamp on this year's team in the middle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='349325' first='Kennedy' last='Waymer'] / 2024 / 5'4″ PG / Paxon</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Waymer is another two-sport athlete who was off the radar this AAU season because she is an outstanding softball player. News Flash – she is an outstanding basketball talent too. Her ability to get by defenders with that left hand is deadly. Waymer is at her best in the open court and against man-to-man defenses. Her speed and inability for defenses to contain her saw her get to the free throw line 108 times. She was also impressive in other categories: 13.2 points per game, 4 assists per game, and nearly 4 steals per game. Waymer will look to lead an improved Paxon roster to another special season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->