The best player on the floor in the third-place game. Tight handle, floaters, finishes, and strong defense. Fifteen points, six rebounds, and strong leadership in a big win. She controlled the pace of the game from start to finish. Her poise under pressure gives her teammates confidence in critical moments

Whitney Young is competitive every year, and you can count that towards the coaching staff, as well as the players, and players like Nina are why you can never count them out of the game. She’s a player who can play a role, but has no issue getting in the driver’s seat if the game or possession calls for it. Tough on the drive, not afraid to take the deep shot, and can be a pest on the defensive side of the ball as well.

Lloyd is on a team with some of the best guards in the state, which is why you don’t always get to see everything she’s capable of. However, I’ve seen flashes of how impactful Nina can be. Size doesn’t determine her level of intensity, and she brings that on both ends of the floor. She’s aggressive, locked in, and can heat up quickly if the defense plays lazy.

Nina will be suiting up for a very talented but young Whitney Young team this winter, and I’m sure she’ll be one of their many impactful guards. Whether she starts or comes off the bench, Nina can get it done around the rim, and shows glimpses of her ability to make plays as well.

Nina is still putting together a complete skill set, but she truly gets it done with what she has. Whether it’s showing the ability to score from midrange or getting to the paint, she shows flashes of a guard that can truly help a program that’s in need of a tough-minded combo guard. She’s one of those players to track as she gets more comfortable with her game. Keep Whitney Young on your teams to watch this winter.