Ava was a standout on each court she saw Sunday, whether it was in the drills or during the games. She has gotten so strong with the ball that she makes dribble-moves look simple against pressure, plus she is absorbing contact so much better attacking the basket. She can finish inside, she has always been a fairly consistent perimeter shooter, but now she has also added a really nice mid-range pull-up to her arsenal. She is a willing passer with good vision, and she has improved as a defender, learning how to take better angles. I’m anticipating her having a big Spring & Summer.

Ava Richie Ava Richie 5'8" | PG Crown Point | 2028 State IN had an impressive freshman season for the Bulldogs, leading the team in scoring with 14.3 points per game while also topping the charts in steals and assists. She showed she was ready for varsity competition, handling the physicality of attacking the rim with confidence while maintaining a quick, versatile shot that makes her a threat from multiple areas on the floor. Entering her sophomore season under a new coach, Richie is poised to continue improving her game. Her combination of scoring ability, court vision, and defensive instincts positions her to lead Crown Point to another winning season—and potentially another sectional championship.

I remember seeing Ava back in 7th Grade, and she was this little, feisty point guard who showed great potential. Fast forward to now, and she has grown quite a bit, gotten much stronger, and she plays with the ball on a string. She can create off the dribble and is a more-than-willing passer, but she has also continued to improve her perimeter shooting consistency, plus she is getting through the defense and absorbing contact much better. Additionally, she has become a savvy on-ball defender who can be frustrating for opponents at times.

Ava recently switched to this 16U team and has made an instant impact based on what I saw yesterday. She has nice length, she looks like she has gotten stronger, plus she is steady, heady, and smooth with the ball. More importantly, she is shooting it much better from the perimeter and hit both a wing 3-pointer and stepped into a 3-pointer while pushing in transition. Based on genetics, she might also have another couple of inches to grow.

Ava is one of those kids who is already skilled and talented, but I feel like her best days are well in front of her. She has a long, wiry frame, she’s a fluid athlete, and she’s consistently growing a couple of inches each year. She has a nice handle, good vision, and she’s able to play with her head up scanning the floor. At the same time, Ava can shoot/score it fairly consistently, and I think she will be a much-improved player in a couple of years once she finishes her growth.