Velez Smith is extremely dynamic with the ball in her hands and can create both for herself and her teammates. She averaged nearly 18 points per game last season, showing that she can put points on the board, but her ability to create offense for others makes her even more dangerous. When she is attacking and making plays, she can put a tremendous amount of pressure on opposing defenses.

Ziya continues to sparkle in her sophomore season, leading Central with 17.7 points per game while shooting 38.5% from distance and making nearly three triples per contest. A score-first guard who can fill it up quickly, she has the ability to completely take over games offensively. She recently turned in one of her best performances against Sacred Heart, finishing with 25 points to go along with three rebounds, three assists, and three steals while connecting on seven threes. A guard prospect to put on your radar sooner rather than later. (Featured Image)

Ziya was as advertised, and seeing her in person for the first time, I was blown away. She’s a good-sized guard with length and can score from every spot on the floor. She has ankle-breaking handles and a deep bag of dribble moves, and excels in isolation situations. A lockdown perimeter defender as well.

Head Coach Deshawn Pendleton continues to keep the Yellowjackets in the upper trajectory since taking over the program in 2018. He has strung together back-to-back 20-win seasons in a tough 7th region and is on pace for a third as his team sits at 10-3. Ziya Velez-Smith Ziya Velez-Smith 5'8" | SG Louisville Central | 2028 State KY played at a high level for Moore as an 8th grader, and she is doing the same for Central as a freshman, averaging a team-leading 17 points a game. Ziya is very skilled and she can score from various spots on the floor. She has upside and a bright future ahead.

Ziya averaged 12.7 PPG in 15 games played for Moore a season ago. She is super-quick, and has the handles to get anywhere she wants off the dribble. Ziya has a great feel for the game and knows how to impose her will on the offensive end. I think she will put people on notice this season.