Fresh off her victory in the Nickle Dickle 3-point shooting contest on Saturday, Backer once again lit up the Sophomore ID Camp with her sharp shooting behind the 3-point line. Sawyer’s accuracy from deep never wavers, but what truly sets her apart is her relentless movement on offense. Backer is always working to free up her teammates for open shots. She’s not only capable of relocating for the shot, but being the person passing the ball out to her teammates is something she excels at. At 5’10, Sawyer sets sturdy screens and slips to the basket for swift layups. Her offensive instincts shine through with crisp passes and sharp decision-making, whether she’s threading the ball inside or launching it from beyond the arc.

#17: Another of the Wayzata freshmen to make the Freshmen 50, Backer has been having a big impact on the AAU circuit for a long time. With her fluid athleticism and ample skillset, the 5’10 guard makes the game seem effortless. Sawyer excels on the defensive end, particularly as a rebounder and perimeter defender, using her length and lateral quickness to her advantage. On offense she stands out as an outside shooter and can also beat defenders off the dribble and score at the rim. With her work ethic and basketball IQ in tow, we won’t be surprised if Backer is quick to make an impact on the Trojans varsity. 

Backer continues to impress with her poise and versatility. A threat from deep, she spaces the floor and converts tough shots with ease. Her length allows her to defend multiple positions, block shots, and pressure the perimeter. Selected as an honorable mention for our AAU Newcomer of the Year award this summer, Sawyer also rebounds well and uses her IQ to turn broken plays into points. Still growing physically, Backer’s upside is significant, and she already shows the instincts and impact of a complete player on both ends.

The 8th grade guard from Wayzata is a unique and promising talent with a well-rounded game. Backer is excellent on the offensive end, showing deep shooting range and the ability to convert tough plays into easy points with her sharp instincts. Blessed with notable length, she’s equally impactful on defense – pressuring the perimeter, forcing turnovers, and blocking shots at an impressive rate. A strong rebounder with high basketball IQ, Backer still has room to grow physically, which makes her long-term upside even more intriguing.