Payton played very well finishing as the game’s leading scorer with 11 points in a 59-29 win over Denmark on day two of the GBCA Live. Palmer shot the ball well from the perimeter knocking down a shot from three as well as multiple midrange jump shots while operating at the top of the key for a majority of the game. She also was able to hit the boards on the offensive end and score for her team with a quick put back on the fast break. Palmer has the size and skill to be a very good player and looks like those two things are coming together as she finishes the Summer before her second year of high school. She improves each time I see her play and this was no exception. She is far from the player she will become, but the future is very bright for Payton with the potential to be a high major player in three years.

Payton Palmer Payton Palmer 6'2" | SF/PF Whitefield Academy | 2029 State GA stood out the minute she stepped on the floor, and after a blocked shot and a few inside scores, she had sealed the deal. Palmer did a little of everything and showed a lot in a short time span. She played along with some talented teammates and didn’t get the headlines, but her versatility, effort, and production stood out. As a Freshman she averaged over 7 points and 5 rebounds per game, and from observing her on the court, she is going to be a problem. On one possession, Palmer caught the ball in transition, ripped to a midrange and hit nothing but nets.

Palmer has a knack for anticipating where a missed shot is going on offense, getting in the right spot, grabbing the rebound, and putting the ball back up and in quickly. She has very good size for a freshman. Payton is already a good shooter from the midrange and I expect that to become even more consistent and for her to extend her range behind the three point line, something she will develop with more time and experience. Palmer has a very high basketball IQ. That, along with her size and skill, gives her an excellent chance to rise up the rankings and quickly. She was a positive post presence for Whitefield all game long.