#11 – We don’t want to look too far ahead, but if Bailey (pictured above) continues to develop at her current pace, her combination of size and skill will make her a problem for years to come. She has great length, plays with relentless energy, and is an outstanding teammate whose presence elevates those around her. Although she arrived a little late to the showcase, Bailey wasted no time making her impact felt. Around the basket, she was a force, using her 6-foot frame and long wingspan to control the paint. Defensively, she altered shots with her length and timing, and she explodes off the floor to secure rebounds as if she’s on springs. Hopkins has an impressive group of talented, lengthy young players coming through the pipeline, and Bailey has established herself as one of the very best among them. Her future is incredibly bright.

Already standing at 6 feet tall, Bailey is a confident post player who excels in the paint, both offensively and defensively. She’s highly athletic, a skilled rim runner, and able to maintain positioning on the block. Playing a vital role in her team’s defensive strategy, Azariah constantly scans the court, alerting her teammates of the ball’s position, while also calling out screens and back door cuts. With an great length and a significant spring in her step, the Hopkins 8th grader protected the rim at the Meltdown, blocking and altering shots, stopping players on the drive, and snagging rebounds over her opponents. Whether shutting down the paint or creating scoring opportunities, Bailey’s impact on the game was felt all weekend.