Kenzie is a tough small guard who showed a budding floor game and the ability to impact both ends. She was effective creating off the bounce, changing speeds, and working her way to the cup. Her craftiness as a finisher gave her ways to complete her attacks, while the three-ball added another piece to her scoring package. The change of pace is a valuable part of her game because it allowed her to keep defenders reacting rather than settling into a comfortable rhythm while defending her. She also showed her value as a pick-and-roll ball-handler as her vision and passing skills gave her tools to involve teammates while working through ball-screen action. Her ability to create and facilitate adds substance to her offensive game and gives her numerous ways to impact a possession. Defensively she had active hands, and her toughness supported the two-way impact that was seen throughout the day. This was my first time seeing Kenzie and I was thoroughly impressed.

No one at the showcase played better than Kenzie which is a theme that seems to be the case almost every time I watch her play. Having done so a lot, I can say with confidence that pressuring her with the ball high in the halfcourt with one defender is not a good idea defensively. Whether it was in three on three or five versus five, Hinkson punished defenders who chose to push up on her when she had the ball. She used her elite ball handling (on full display during the skills portion) and quickness to blow by her defender before finishing at the rim or finding an open teammate, In theory that should work, the problem is Kenzie is an outstanding shooter from three as well. If you give her too much space, then she will bury shots from the perimeter. All of the skills she possesses along with the physical gifts make her one of the very best Juniors in Georgia. She currently holds offers from Furman, Jacksonville State, Mercer, and West Georgia. I expect that list to grow substantially over the next two years.

Kenzie was one of the names I heard most when sitting and talking with college coaches at the event. One Power Four assistant told myself and Bob Corwin that if she were still at her previous school (mid-major) she would have offered her after seeing her play at GBCA Live. That was the general feeling from the other evaluators and coaches at Lakepoint–that she is and will be a Division One player. Forget the size. Her athleticism, high motor, and competitiveness offset whatever perceived slight comes with her height. She is an explosive and quick athlete who is extremely skilled and plays with no fear. On a very talented team that is coming off a dominant season culminating in state championship, Kenzie does not have to go score 20 points every night. She can pick and choose when to attack and get herself going on offense, scoring the ball without it being forced. She is an elite ball handler with the ability to create separation from defenders and space for herself off the bounce and knockdown shooter from three point range. With games scoring 13, 11, 17, and 11 points again in the championship game, she proved that against a high level of competition she can be counted on as a consistent and effective scoring option.

Kenzie was one of the most electric players to watch this weekend. She played on a loaded 16U team that competed up in the 17U division and held her own throughout. Her deep offensive bag stood out and drew reactions from the stands, including a crafty step-through that fooled defenders multiple times. She is a high-level passer who showed strong accuracy, including a sharp one-handed swing pass and timely deliveries in rhythm. She finished well at the rim with either hand and showed comfort scoring through contact. One of the most impressive parts of her game was her ability to box out and establish position early on both ends. Kenzie is a true three-level scorer with clear upside and continued growth ahead in her game.

Kenzie is a player whose stock has been consistently on the rise in Georgia for the last few years. She is a coaches kid and knows the game well, whether its how to read and run off screens to create the time and space needed to elevate and shoot or curl for a drive to the basket or pull up for a mid range jumper. Hinkson is an excellent athlete which enables her to cause turnovers with her on ball pressure as well as jumping into the passing lanes and intercepting balls before heading to other end for uncontested layups. I thought her decision making was very good as well. There were a couple plays where she passed up on some pretty wide open shoots for a one more pass or whipping the ball across court or to a player in the post. She is a player who has a lot to like about her game and she will only continue to get better.

Shifty point guard with D-I offers likes to get to her floater off the dribble but is also an exceptional three-point shooter who scores in waves. Hinkson has deep range. Her quick first step and elite court vision make her the complete package offensively. Defensively, she’s an instinctual defender with sneaky leaping ability.

Hinkson continued to cement her status as one of Georgia’s elite point guards, pouring in 15 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals in a 47-33 win over Carrollton. Hinkson is so good at getting to where she wants. She wiggles through the defense to get to floaters. Kenzie has deep three-point range and is elusive with the ball when creating off the dribble as a facilitating playmaker.

The super sophomore dazzled in a win over Jones County, pumping in a league-high 25 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals in a 44-21 rout. Hinkson couldn’t miss from deep, drilling four threes. While she may not catch your eye stepping off the bus, the lightweight slender guard is a killer on the floor with her well-rounded skill. She’s a creative playmaker downhill with great vision and decision making. She scores from the in between with floaters and pull-ups. Hinkson is mature beyond her years. Already with D-I offers, as Hinkson continues to fill out her frame and grow, she will become an even bigger prospect and one of the elites in Georgia.

A poised playmaker who excels at making reads in the lane. Hinkson’s floater is a go-to weapon and she has a knack for threading assists through tight spaces. She consistently makes sound decisions and has already drawn D-I attention with an offer from Jacksonville State.

Speaking of standouts from 6A schools, North Paulding’s very own also shined bright this past weekend. Teams sporting the Wood Elite colors and logo were among some of the toughest to beat at Peach Games. Hinkson’s Wood Elite E40 15U group was no exception. In one of her team’s contests, she scored nine points, collected six steals and dished out three assists in a blowout victory over The SisterHood Lady Lions 15U Grim E40. Listed at 5-foot-6, Hinkson is an efficient passer and playmaker on defense in addition to her scoring capabilities. One way she places crooked numbers on the scoreboard is via the 3-point shot.