I mentioned Aleeyah in the group of ones to watch heading into the event, and she did not disappoint. She is a long, wiry, quick, fast, and explosive combo guard. She has the ball on a string and can create space with the dribble or get to the basket. She is more of a shooter/scorer, though, from the point guard position, but she makes good decisions with the ball…she’s just more aggressive at taking/making shots. She’s able to turn the corner, pull up in the mid-range game, or knock down the open 3-pointer as well.

After watching Aleeyah in July, I was very impressed with her combination of talent, skill, and feel for the game. She is on the rise, and the departure of a number of graduates and transfers from Decatur Central should only help her cause that much more. She could be the primary scoring option for the Hawks, but she also has some ball skill and could act as the key facilitator. Whatever role they ask her to fill, she has the ability to execute at a high level. With her talent, I would also like to see her become one of the best on-ball defenders in 2026.

Aleeyah is unique on this list, because she played quite a bit, and she averaged 6.3 points and 3.7 rebounds per game as a Sophomore. However, three of the four Hawks who outscored her last season either transferred or graduated, and she has suddenly been thrust into a major role if they want to be successful. Aleeyah showed this Summer she has the talent and skill to become a 15+ point per game scorer, but she can also create and facilitate to others. Additionally, she projects to be a high-level defender, on or off the ball.

I saw Aleeyah briefly at a workout in March, but then not again until July. By July, she was outstanding, very athletic, aggressive at both ends of the floor, and she makes plays that can change games. She is long for a guard, athletically built, and she plays with speed, quickness, and bounce. She can be a ball hawk defensively, but she also rebounds her position fairly well. Offensively, she is more of a creative scorer, however, she can find open teammates and she can knock down jumpers when left alone and in rhythm. I think she’s a really nice talent who should only get better these next two years.

Aleeyah is a talented athlete and has a great deal of upside for the next level. With a number of departures via graduation and transfer, she could see an increased role for the Hawks in 2024-2025. She has an athletic frame, she possesses speed & quickness, and she can change directions quickly. She is very assertive off the bounce, she can score it at all three levels, and she plays with a lot of shiftiness in her game. Aleeyah does have ball skill and the ability to run offense as well, plus she’s an aggressive defender.