Laila has put together a nice Spring thus far for her West Virginia Thunder team. She looks very aggressive and confident defensively, and I think it’s because she trusts her forwards/posts to have her back protecting the paint. Laila is very quick, she changes ends of the floor quickly with her speed, and she can contribute as a lockdown defender on the ball or a creator at the offensive end of the floor. She has really improved her ball security, her timing, and she is finding open teammates much more consistently. She has also improved her shot selection over the years.

From watching a few of her high school games to now seeing her in AAU play, she has continued to show growth and consistency in running the point guard position. She does a solid job of managing the offense, setting the tone, and keeping her team organized on the floor.

What really stands out is her effort and competitiveness, especially on the defensive end. She plays extremely hard, pressures the ball, and brings a level of toughness that sets the tone for her team. Her intensity and willingness to compete make her a disruptive presence defensively.

The North Central guard brings a competitive edge every time she steps on the floor, and her mentality is a big part of what makes her effective. Offensively, she is capable of making plays and contributing to the flow of the game, but it’s her energy, leadership, and defensive presence that elevate her overall impact.

With her skill set and motor, she has the tools to contribute at the collegiate level. As she continues through the AAU season, she is a player who has the ability to make some noise and draw the attention of college programs.

Laila was good in spots when I was able to see her throughout the Summer. She played 17U ball and did a nice job against older guards, despite her size. She has a strong frame, good quickness (she’s more so quick than fast), and she does a nice job of keeping the ball low and away from defenders. She does a solid job of getting into the defense and forcing them to collapse, while finding open teammates on the wings, plus she is a scrappy on-ball defender who can act like a little gnat against opposing guards.