Kendall had a really nice high school season, but she has had a great Spring & Summer. She is such a nice, balanced athlete, she plays with an outstanding motor, and while she plays hard (and fast at times), she’s typically always under control and not at all sloppy. She put together a memorable performance at The Futures Games in early June, and she has started to draw a great deal of college attention from varying levels. In addition to being an effective athlete/scorer, she’s a willing passer, she rebounds her position well, and she’s an active and aggressive defender as well.

All in all, Kendall had a very nice transition from Ohio to Indiana this past school year. She capped it off with a tremendous performance during the IBCA’s “Futures Games” in early June, forcing onlookers to ask who she was and where she was from. She is a long, athletic, aggressive playmaker with some strength, bounce, and a nice toughness/competitive spirit to her play. She is excellent off the bounce and can finish in a variety of ways or find open teammates, plus she can bury an open jumper. Defensively, she is equally effortful, flying around the floor creating chaos.

Kendall moved into Indiana over the Summer, as her father took a new job in Indiana. She is a nonstop, energetic, tough-nosed ballplayer. She just plays with a different energy and aggression, especially offensively. She has an athletic frame, length, and some bounce. She is great off the dribble, she has a nice mid-range game, and she can knock down a rhythm 3-pointer when set. I was just really impressed with her all-around feel for the game and her ability to get through gaps at her height and finish so easily through contact at her age. She will be fun to watch moving forward.

I had the chance to watch Kendall VanderWal play against Garrett, and she immediately stood out as the best player on the floor. The transfer guard from Marietta (Ohio) has fit seamlessly into the Angola girls basketball program, and it’s clear she brings a level of skill and confidence that elevates the entire team.

Kendall’s ability to score at all three levels makes her a constant threat. She shoots the ball with consistency, but she’s just as effective putting the ball on the floor and attacking the rim. What makes her even more dangerous is how well she positions herself to finish around the basket she rebounds at a high rate for a guard, giving herself and her team extra scoring opportunities.

Against Garrett, she put together a dominant double-double performance, finishing with 34 points and 10 rebounds. It was a complete showing of her scoring versatility, competitiveness, and physical presence on both ends of the floor. Angola has landed a major impact player, and Kendall is already proving she can be one of the most productive guards in the area this season.

This young lady never seems to take a play off. She is extremely dedicated to putting out a great effort, can get back down the floor and defend. Plays with passion, has a high motor and is a shifty guard.

She does a fantastic job of earning points by cutting to the rim or setting screens to roll off of. Kendall can handle the ball and knows where to be on the floor at all times. She will hit the deep shots and will lock you up defensively. Her speed, both with and without the ball, makes it difficult for her defender to stop her from going to the rim. It concludes with a gentle touch at the rim and has the ability to penetrate and ascend to the rim. Active, capable of forcing errors and playing strong on-ball defense.