AGAIN, ONE THING I CAN PROMISE ALL WHO ARE READING THIS ARTICLE IS THAT THE FUTURE OF WOMEN’S BASKETBALL IS IN GOOD SHAPE.
Per usual, there was a lot of talent in the gym at this year’s Shes Ballin Showcase, but what’s new? According to Ray Caldwell, there was more heat than ever before. I definitely agree, both sessions were jammed packed with talent. I am extremely confident that we saw potential All-Americans in both the MS and HS sessions. Not only was the talent on another level, some of the best evaluators in the country were in the gym, dropping gems, and taking notes on some of the best talent the southwest region has to offer.
Right out the gate 2020 guard Deja Kelly was on another level. I’ve said it before, and I will say it again, if I had a daughter I would want her to play the game the way this kid does. I don’t think anyone in the state of Texas values two-points more than this kid, which is how you score 2K points midway through your junior szn. She scored all afternoon, from everywhere, on everybody. Her backcourt mate this summer, Myra Gordon, showcased well also. The 6’0 combo guard is one of the most undervalued players in the class. Her size and skill was on full display as she made effortless plays from the paint to the perimeter all afternoon. Check them both out on the Nike circuit this summer playing with Lady Drive Nation 17U EYBL.
2020 wing Sahara Jones was special as well. This kid gets wherever she wants on the offensive end. Her length, skill, and athleticism makes her a big problem for opposing defenders. Find her at the basket this summer with SA Finest Cee Lou. Speaking of Cee Lou, Lanay Wheaton, 2020 combo guard who recently moved to Texas from Arkansas was probably the breakout kid of the camp. She scored from everywhere in a variety of ways, but off the bounce, she’s a problem. A grown woman on the floor.
2020 guard Jakoriah Long had us evaluators mesmerized with her speed & quickness. She sped by defenders, under control, and got wherever she wanted to go, whenever she wanted to go. I can’t wait to see more of this kid this summer playing for the 2020 Supergirls. Another 2020 kid that filled it up all afternoon was Sierra Dickson. Sierra is a fearless scorer. I wrote shot-maker next to her name because that is what she did every time I put my eyes on her, make shots. Sierra will be getting buckets with AD Elite this summer. Texas Flight Elite guard Zaya Price was a bucket during the showcase as well. She has improved her handle, which has allowed her to improve her ability to score at each level. She also shot the ball really well, I’m excited to see her on the UA circuit this summer.
Moving on to the class of 2021, point forward Asia Broughton used her size and strength to create easy baskets for herself and her teammates. She is relentless in the paint, and her guard skills create serious match-up problems for the defense. She will be on the UA circuit with Texas Flight Elite this summer. AD Elite guard Sierra Brooks was fun to watch as well. I remember her putting on a show for the last two years at the annual Shes Ballin Blueprint. One thing I love to see is good players get better. Sierra is a good player who continues to get better, which speaks volumes on her investment in development. Last but not least, Lady Drive Nation combo guard Jasmine Shavers showed why she is, and will continue to be one of the most highly recruited kids in her class. Jasmine has a deep bag of tricks which allows her to affect the game in so many ways, effortlessly.
The babies of the afternoon session, class of 2022, were really good as well. 2022 point guard Breanna Davis continues to show improvement in her diverse skill set, making plays, and making shots. She is one that I have no doubt will continue to improve with experience and reps. The skill and desire is there, and in my experience the other things come naturally when those two qualities are present. She will play for Lady Drive Nation EYBL 16U this summer. SA Finest Mirez wing Carleigh Wenzel had a really good showing as well. This kids ability to pull-up off the bounce from 15-18ft is a sight to see. She is also a very tough competitor with a very high ceiling. And 2022 guard R’Mani Taylor was one of my favorites, regardless of class. Tight handle, confident shot-maker, explosive at the rim … this kid was fun to watch all afternoon. I didn’t realize she was only a freshman until the 5-on-5 session. I am really excited to see her on the UA circuit with Texas Flight Elite this summer as well.
As you can see, the event was loaded. I wish I could say something about every kid that I enjoyed watching but I would never finish. Check out the list of names below for some other players who caught my attention during the afternoon session.
SHES BALLIN SHOWCASE HONERABLE MENTION
2020
| Alaina Antwine – FWA Panthers | Victoria Baker – Cy-Fair Premier |
| Myra Bell – BIAH | Haley Carr – AD Elite |
| Alani Fluker – SA Hoops Elite | Ashlynn Freeman – Texas Flight Elite |
| Kameron Gibson – AD Elite | Paetynn Gray – AD Elite Peterson |
| Kaia Herrera – SA Hoops Elite | Zaria Johnson – Texas Flight Elite |
| Sydney McQuietor – AD Elite | Layla Mendoza – BIAH |
| Jordan Nelson – Higher Goals | Brenna Perez – SA Finest |
| Serena Rodriguez – SA Finest | Gianna Steward – SA Finest |
| Jayla Taylor – AD Elite | Shadiya Thomas – SA Finest |
| Tiffany Tullis – BIAH |
2021
| Gia Adams – Texas Flight Elite | Tori Howard – SA Finest |
| Bria McClure – SA Finest | Emri Lovell – SA Finest |
| Zoe Nelson – Austin Elite | Jordyn Newsome – Higher Goals |
| Madison Ott – Lady Drive Nation | Jazra Williams – Austin Elite |
2022
| Jordyn Marshall – Texas Flight Elite | Cammie McKinney – Lady Drive Nation |
| Angelique Morgan – 2022 SuperGirls | Kori Neal – SA Finest |
| Sian Phipps – Texas Flight Elite | Erika Suarez – Austin Elite |
| Skyler Tabeb – SA Finest |
Again, one thing I can promise all who are reading this article is that the future of women’s basketball is in good shape. If this weekend in San Antonio is any indication of the talent pool across the country, the game is in really good hands for sure.