Early AAU Stock Risers: Part 1

Last weekend was the first Live Period of the this year's AAU season. There were several events that took place that had college coaches and scouts from all over the country flocking to be in attendance such as the Boo Williams Nike EYBL circuit in Hampton, VA, The Clash in Hamilton, OH, The Apache Memorial Showcase in Knoxville, TN and UA Rise Session I at the Nook in Manheim, PA. Prep Girls Hoops Circuit also hosted the Crossroads Clash in Indianapolis, IN.   Check out these prospects that have really increased their stock during the AAU season so far as well during the first live period last weekend.    Virginia's very own [player_tooltip player_id='376323' first='Zaniyah' last='Williams'] graced the courts at the Boo Williams Nike EYBL tournament in Hampton, Virginia last weekend. The highly touted 2026 prospect played up with the Kentucky 17U team that finished 4-1 in the platinum division and lost in the final 4. She may just be a freshman but she is not a rookie the young point guard controlled the entire offense displaying leadership, poise, and made smart decisions in transition. Against a talented Alabama Starz team "Z" had 8 points and dropped 7 dimes while never turning the ball over. She also had 4 deflections on defense that led to steals. Williams made the Sleeper Athletes 3rd team as a freshman and picked up a Big Ten offer during the week.    [player_tooltip player_id='494518' first='Abby' last='Sapp'] had really solid outing at The Clash for [program_tooltip program_id='716090' first='DSP' last='Heat'] averaging 10 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assist, and 2 block for the weekend. She shot the ball pretty well but got most of her points by attacking the rim to get a bucket. But of course it was her play on the defensive end that really stood out. Against ALWAYS 100-Sonic she had 4 blocks in the game making protecting the rim her responsibility. I'm really excited to see the impact she will make playing with a talented Owensboro High School squad next season.    So far for [program_tooltip program_id='716239' first='Lady' last='Vision'] this season [player_tooltip player_id='502278' first='Natajia' last='Alexander'] is playing with a ton of confidence and starting to assert herself on the court. She is playing aggressive using her blazing speed to push the pace, getting the ball up the floor in a hurry finishing through contact creating multiple and one opportunities. She was a major contributor on the boards as well. Alexander played very well in the first game against Canada Elite Alexander finished with 9 points, 2 steals, an assist and a rebound. She turned it up a notch the second SC Eagles finishing with 13 points, 6 assist, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals.    For Arctic Rush The Clash was their first tournament of the year they played against some tough competition and competed well as a team. The high scoring guard [player_tooltip player_id='419638' first='Naomi' last='Hilton Maynard'] had some very impressive performances overall throughout the event. She had a monster game against the Bolingbrook Panthers 15U she had 17 points, along with 8 rebounds, 5 steals, and 2 assist. She also had 13 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 steals against DLH 2026 Black. Maynard showed her dominance scoring the ball showing she can score consistently from all 3-levels. Through 5 games she averaged 13.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.8 steals per game.    With the offensive mind of Coach Wathen along with having players that get it and understand the right way to play. Kentucky ICE is starting to come together as a team and have been holding their own against some of the best competition in the country. [player_tooltip player_id='502117' first='Elizabeth' last='Boyd'] is expanding her game on both ends of the floor. She has improved as an on-ball defender and is giving more effort playing help defense by gaining early position advantages. Boyd is also showing the ability to stretch the defense with her perimeter shooting while making timely cuts to the basketball putting herself in position to get points inside. Playing with a team that plays off of each others strengths has really elevated her play.    The [program_tooltip program_id='712592' first='Kentucky' last='Premier'] 16U team is a talented bunch that are bonding well and really starting to click together as a team. This team features one of the top 2026 prospects in Kentucky [player_tooltip player_id='494359' first='Sayler' last='Lowe'] who seems to be playing much more relaxed and confident this season for KYP. She looked dominant at the Boo Williams tournament unfazed by the big stage performing well against some of the best AAU teams in the EYBL Circuit. At the looks of it Lowe is primed for a big season and will be on a lot of college coaches radar by summer.    [player_tooltip player_id='470570' first='Savannah' last='Triplett'] has grown so much as a player these past few weeks playing for Kentucky ICE. Over the past three tournaments her confidence has been through the roof and she is making a big impact on both ends of the floor. Triplett is improving her ball handling skills and her ability to distribute the ball while her three point shooting has been up to par as usual. She is also playing with a lot more energy on defense using active hands, deflecting the ball and causing turnovers. This past weekend had 3 games with 15+ points.    [player_tooltip player_id='881375' first='Taylin' last='Wade'] is an exciting young player coming out of Frankfort, KY. She started Varsity for Frankfort High School and made the All-District team as a seventh grader this past season. Wade is a defensive stopper and a high volume rebounder. At the PGH Crossroads Clash she averaged 8 points a game leading [program_tooltip program_id='715742' first='Dana' last='Evans Elite'] 2028 in rebounds each game. She had her best games against Team Lady Teague 2028 and Columbia Supreme 2028.

Last weekend was the first Live Period of the this year's AAU season. There were several events that took place that had college coaches and scouts from all over the country flocking to be in attendance such as the Boo Williams Nike EYBL circuit in Hampton, VA, The Clash in Hamilton, OH, The Apache Memorial Showcase in Knoxville, TN and UA Rise Session I at the Nook in Manheim, PA. Prep Girls Hoops Circuit also hosted the Crossroads Clash in Indianapolis, IN.