O.J. seemed to gain momentum as the night progressed during the PGH Michigan State Showcase. She was active in every phase for her team, talking on defense, jumping up on the ball to bat down passes for steals, and attacking gaps with her aggressive drives. O.J. used her length and athleticism to convert contested layups and did a good job of finishing under control once she arrived at the rim. She caught passes at full speed in transition and transferred the ball smoothly to score layups. O.J. showed poise with the ball, resetting the offense in the half court, and was an effective facilitator.

O.J. started her high school career as our top-rated prospect, and she recently joined the Prep Girls Hoops 2029 National Rankings list as Michigan’s sole representative. O.J. combines length, athleticism, shifty dribble combos, and explosive quickness to make it extremely difficult for any defender to stop her from penetrating off the dribble. She knocks down open threes, flies around on the defensive end to deflect passes, blocks shots, and pokes the ball away for steals. O.J. stood out as an elite prospect at the Freshman Showcase last fall, and we’re expecting an encore performance this Friday at the Michigan State Showcase for Michigan’s top-ranked 2029 prospect.

O.J. played up with Mystics P24 17U and didn’t skip a beat. She was aggressive and led the team at teams with her determined rebounding on the offensive glass, high-flying volleyball spike blocks at the rim, facilitating, perimeter shooting, and dribble penetration. The game didn’t look too fast, and O.J. was able to use her speed to create on the offensive end. She scored inside using a great step-through pivot move, knocked down a pure wing three, and drove hard to the rim with an explosive burst for a layup, beating the rotating help side defender. O.J. had great awareness and spacing on the defensive end, picking off passes from the help side. She confirmed her spot at #1 against some elite out-of-state opponents.

O.J. entered the high school season at #1, and that’s where she’ll start the AAU season. O.J. led all Bay County scorers, averaging 17.5 points per game. She’s one of three freshmen in the past 30 years to accomplish that feat. O.J. received recognition as Saginaw Valley League All-Conference First Team and will be playing up with the top Mystics team (17U-P24) this spring. O.J. has length, athleticism, explosiveness off the dribble, finishing touch, vision, defensive presence, and perimeter shooting accuracy to be a high-level D1 guard.

OJ, a guard for Bay City Western, brings length, athleticism, and versatility to the floor every night. Her ability to get to the rim puts constant pressure on opposing defenses, as she attacks with confidence and finishes through contact. Defensively, she uses her length to disrupt passing lanes, contest shots, and make ball handlers uncomfortable. OJ also excels without the ball, making sharp, timely cuts that create scoring opportunities and keep the offense flowing. With her combination of size, skill, and activity on both ends, she continues to be a matchup problem and a key contributor for Bay City Western.

OJ is set to make her varsity debut for Bay City Western, and she already looks like a future star in the making. With her blend of size, fluid athleticism, and advanced feel for the game, she brings a skill set well beyond what you typically see in a first-year guard. Her quick first step, smooth movements, and natural control of her body allow her to create advantages all over the floor, while her instincts and decision-making give her a maturity rare for a freshman. OJ has consistently held her own against elite competition, and she enters the season as a legitimate candidate for SVL honors right away—poised to make an immediate impact from the moment she steps on the court.

O.J. is, in our minds, Michigan’s #1 prospect right now. She has length, athleticism, explosiveness, decision-making IQ, and fundamental abilities that make her a high-level college guard prospect. At her height, it’s rare to see the coordination and prolific skills that she has as a freshman. O.J. has consistently dominated against top-tier talent, and she’s an SVL All-Conference candidate on day one for Bay City Western.

Read More About O.J.

OJ was a standout performer at the PGH Freshman Showcase, showcasing her all-around game and high-level feel for the position. The athletic lefty guard handled the ball with confidence and control, creating opportunities for herself and her teammates. She attacked the rim in a variety of ways—whether breaking defenders down off the dribble or taking advantage of mismatches by posting up smaller guards. On the defensive end, OJ’s awareness and anticipation stood out, as she came up with several steals and disrupted passing lanes throughout the day. Her versatility and basketball IQ made her one of the most impactful players on the floor.

Olivia-Jo (OJ) was a standout performer for Team 1 at the PGH Freshman Showcase, making an impact from start to finish with her athleticism and confident playmaking. She used a sharp crossover to shake defenders and showed impressive poise while creating scoring opportunities for herself and her teammates. OJ attacked the basket with control and got to the rim consistently, putting constant pressure on the defense.

O.J. represented Michigan at Blue Star 30 Basketball camp and has consistently been an outstanding performer during travel games, team camps, shootouts, and elite camps–I’ve seen her play several times since February. O.J. has a love for the game and a competitive demeanor that leaves an impression on you. Her length, straight line speed, explosive athleticism, and playmaking abilities on both ends will be exciting to watch at the Freshman Showcase.