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.
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.
One the best 2023 players in the country, if not the best, Sammie Wagner (SA Finest) was no surprise to any of us at this year’s event. The conversation on the sideline was whether she is more Bre Stewart or Lauren Cox, can’t lose with either of those comparisons. The 6’1 8th grader continues to stretch her game out to the perimeter with her playmaking ability for others, while also showcasing her improved pull-up from 18ft. Another 2023 out of San Antonio, Layla Conley put on a show as well. An athletic playmaking guard that will be playing with the San Antonio Lady Hoops this summer. Layla had kids on skates all morning with her tight handle, making things easy for her teammates during the 5-on-5 session, drawing help and making reads. Zeryhia-Lee Aokuso , another 2023, who plays for West Texas powerhouse Lubbock Nitro, had every evaluators attention as well. Her size, skill, and poise allowed her to stand-out from start to finish. She was definitely one of the best players in the morning session.
Making the trip from Waco was 2024 SuperGirls guard Kiyleah Parr. Kiyleah DIFFERENT. She’s tough, shifty, plays both ends, and has a real feel for this game that we love. I can vividly remember her checking time & score on several occasions during the 5-on-5 segment of the showcase, something we can’t get collegiate point guards to do at times. Another 2024 that caught my eye was AD Elite guard Kemah Shaw. Kemah came to a camp at Texas State when I was an assistant there, it was good to see that she has continued to develop her game. She knocked down several open shots at the event, and played with great effort and intensity.
Lastly, the baby of the camp, 2025 LA Sneed. The baby play like a grown-up. She put on a playmaking clinic. This kid has “French Fries” (MCAA) written all over her, as my man Jason Key likes to say. LA is one of the most dynamic kids I have ever seen at this point in her career. I don’t even think the word explosive fits her, she’s more than that. Catch her on the UA circuit this summer with Texas Flight Elite.
With that being said, 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.
Be on the lookout for the HS Session recap later this week.