DISTRICT HEIGHTS, Md. -- Even without seven players who were busy collecting gold medals with the USA U17 World Championship team there was still plenty of talent to take in at the USJN 17U National Championships. All 21 courts were filled with talented players from 25 different states, the District of Columbia and Canada. Eager recruiters got to see 210 teams that provided plenty of competition and some nail-biting, down-to-the-wire championship play over the four-day tournament.
Taylor Brown, Boo Williams 16 Nike: Heading into the summer evaluation period, many questioned the depth of the Boo Williams 16U backcourt with the loss of Brene Moseley, who is rated the No. 48 prospect by ESPN HoopGurlz. Those questions were answered with the emergence of Brown. Playing in front of the partial home crowd, the Bowie, Md., resident was at her best during a matchup against the New Heights White 17U team. At her best, she is one of the most creative guards in the class of 2011 -- a very crafty ball-handler, with good speed and a wicked crossover dribble. She has a lean frame and stands a shade under 5 feet 7, but the toughness is evident and displayed on both ends of the floor. Brown recently decided to give the home folks another four years of entertaining basketball with her recent commitment to the Georgetown Hoyas.
Briyona Canty, Gauchos 17: Gifted players are spotted easily during competition. Canty, widely regarded as the most explosive guard in the class of 2011 and rated the No. 9 prospect by ESPN HoopGurlz, may arguably have had her best performance during the USJN tournament in leading her Gauchos to the finals. The most noticeable trait of Canty's game is her athleticism and her ability to change directions at a high rate of speed is blinding. We have questioned her ability to finish plays, as her execution of million-dollar moves were concluded with five-cent finishes. This was not the case during the Gauchos' unexpected run to the title game in one of the most competitive tournaments of the summer. The 5-9 guard has qualities and similarities to current NBA star Derrick Rose with similar explosive abilities in the open court and at the rim. If Canty's recent play proves to be what we can expect every game, then her college suitors can expect increases in attendance.
Krystal Forthan, TeamXpress 17 Black: ESPN The Magazine annually publishes an issue that is simply titled NEXT, as in the next great prodigy in a given sport. Forthan could easily be gracing the cover of such an issue in the not-too-distance future as a long and rangy athlete, whose length and reach is unmatched in the high school arena. During one of our viewings throughout the event we took note of her ability to dominate the game without scoring a bucket. She commanded so much attention on the offensive end that her opponent forgot to guard her teammates, who proceeded to make open shots and get offensive rebounds. That type of attention to one player is what causes her to be an elite prospect in this class and a future cover story. Just as much as we saw the attention on her in game one, we notice the lack of effort on her part in game two. The 6-4 forward must find ways to motivate herself as the game, and the dominance of it, seems to come to easy.
Crystal Leary, Boo Williams 16 Nike: Relentless and aggressive are the two words most often associated with Leary. She looks to out-work opponents and it is almost as if she plays the game looking for the next missed shot. Her approach to rebounding is Rodman-like as is her defensive intensity. Although her offensive skills leave much to be desired, her effort and clear understanding of her role is what will keep her on the court while more talented teammates sit. Her quick leaping ability gets her to the ball quicker than most and her toughness won't allow her motor to stop.
Samantha Logic, Midwest Elite 17 Platinum: After a breakout performance at the Nike Summer Showcase in mid-July, Logic built on that momentum with an outstanding performance at the USJN. The Katie Smith comparisons won't stop, due in large part to Logic's seemingly identical body frame to the perennial WNBA all-league performer. But Logic's vision and passing skills may be ahead of Smith's at this stage of her career. She has superior strength than most guards and uses it to hold off any defenders. Her IQ is evident in her ability to see one play ahead and consistently making the pass that leads to the assist. Her lack of blazing foot speed will always serve as an Achilles' heel, but her passing skills will more than make up for it.
Troi Melton, New Heights 17U White: Although many of New York City's top players have opted to travel outside the city for their summer basketball experience, Coach Mervin Rosa has assembled a nice collection of talent headlined by Melton. Melton is a guard with great size and a scorers' mentality who is exceptionally talented on the perimeter. During the first half of the New Heights' pool play game against tournament favorite Boo Williams 16, Melton was causing the smaller Boo guard fits with her dominating size and attacking mentality. However, Melton's offense is regulated to athletic drives to the basket and zone defenses will pose a major problem for non-shooting guards. If Melton can improve her ability to make outside shots and play under control she will likely have a very prosperous college career.
Megan Rogowski, IL Hustle Red: Although our best of the summer rankings are a few weeks away, we would like to suggest that Rogowski is one of the best shooters in the country. During one half of play, she drained three deep jumpers and led her Hustle team to an early first half lead. Draining 3-point baskets are not the only scoring options for Rogowski. She compliments that deep shooting range with a very high arching runner that she executes when defenders rush to guard her proficiency from deep. Along with teammate Mariah Smith, they form one of toughest perimeter scoring duos of the summer.
Sydney Wallace, FBC Southeast: One of the teams that consistently improved over the course of the summer was the FBC Southeast Elite. When this 5-8 guard from Duluth, Ga., is on her game, she and her teammates are tough to compete with. Wallace has impressive individual skills combined with eye-catching athleticism that makes her a challenge for any defender. Her court instincts allow her to read defenses and attack while still making good decisions with the ball. She's not hesitant to get into the paint and take a few hits from bigger helpside defenders and still find a way to finish or get to the line. Her pull-up was her most reliable weapon throughout the event and might serve her well down the road in the self-preservation department. As an on-ball defender she's quick and aggressive while forcing opposing guards to want to give it up in a hurry. She's still a risk taker at times but seems to have found a way to choose her spots and still recover if she doesn't come up with the pick. Wallace is a senior who's shown consistent advancement in her game and may still not have revealed just how good she might become down the road.
Kahleah Copper, Gauchos: Football coaches often reference players "flying all over the field" and that description would have soundly fit this 6-foot wing from Philadelphia, Pa. On the boards, in the passing lanes, out on the break, you name it and Copper was there making an impact. Ultra-athletic with a long, lean build, she has the physical tools to be effective inside and out but should find her future on the perimeter at the college level. Her agility and quickness helped her create off the drive from the elbow and even provided her some easy looks from the block spinning off flat-footed defenders. She's already has a sound pull-up and a decent stroke from deeper on the perimeter. Her speed was there in transition both on the break and defensively. On the glass, an impressive vertical saw her rise up in the crowd time and again to grab a rebound. With refinement of her ballhandling and passing and some consistency to her perimeter shot she's got the potential that should lead to more than her share of offers.
Alexa Coulombe, New England Crusaders: In the era of more size in the backcourt, this 6-2 wing has the skills to more than justify her presence on the perimeter. The Falmouth, Maine, native possesses ballhandling and passing skills that allow her to exploit smaller defensive matchups while creating opportunities for her teammates as well as herself. She sees the floor with impressive vision and makes good choices in delivering the ball in transition or halfcourt sets. While she wasn't exactly "lighting it up" with her pull-up or deeper jump shot, the form is sound and has been reliable in the past. Speed is not a strength but she has surprisingly quick feet defensively and utilizes a long wingspan to corral smaller and quicker match ups. Despite a slender build she wasn't hesitant to get on the glass and pull down multiple rebounds at both ends of the floor. Time, Mother Nature and the weight room could be her ticket to the top tier at the next level.
Briana Glover, Sports City U 17: Glover is one of those players who always appears to be in the middle of everything. In transition, she is the quickest to turn defense to offense with her ability to defend the passing lanes. With a long and lengthy 6-1 frame, Glover rebounds out of her area and pressures the ball on the perimeter. She needs to add strength to her frame, as she can at times be pushed around by bigger interior players. We project Glover as a wing with continued development to her ball handling skills and outside shooting. Her upside is very promising.
Keyona Hayes, FBC, Southeast Elite 17U: The forward from Marietta High School is establishing herself as one of the top forwards in the state of Georgia. She has the size and strength that most college recruiters covet and the developing perimeter skills that make her a promising long-term prospect. We witnessed Hayes utilizing her versatile skills offensively with her ability to post smaller defender and muscle them to the basket. Her post skills also are impressive against slower post players, against whom she can be spotted using her quickness advantage. Her game is not just limited to post work, as she has the ballhandling skills to get by defenders on her way to the basket. Hayes will need to improve her outside shooting and her movement without the ball as she sometimes can be found viewing the game, as opposed to affecting it.
Bria Holmes, Connecticut Lady Blazers: Often it's difficult for some young players to live up to the reputation or urban legend that seems to spring from the message boards and Internet. This 6-2 wing certainly isn't one of them. The Hamden, Conn. native provides glimpses of potential that should be exciting to watch over time. Playing on the wing with both size and a strong, athletic build, she gives the impression of more maturity and experience, but her play itself is still in a developing stage. The ballhandling is confident and aggressive while the passing is sharp, well thought and without hesitation. Her first step is explosive and forces a lot of the defensive rotations that lead to scoring opportunities for her and her teammates. Her stroke looks fine and has some range but there is a forward motion on the top that could limit consistency if not corrected. She's both physical and active defensively on the ball but does tend to stand up a bit and relax on the weakside. All the tools are in place. It should be fun to see what she does with them.
Christen Johnson, Georgia Pistols: This 6-2 post isn't the first player you're going to notice on the Pistols' roster but she better not be the one that opponents ignore. Teams cannot succeed without the solid build and steady play this Powder Springs, Ga., product provides. Her aggressive low-post approach is physical and constant and her ability to finish is improving every time out. She wants the ball down low and continues to post even if she doesn't get it keeping the helpside defenders just a little tighter. On ball reversals, she's mobile through the paint and continues to look for the ball from the high post and the opposite wing. There's nothing flashy or intricate about her post moves, just a strong attack to the rim. She did demonstrate a nice five-footer in the middle of the lane which could translate down the road to some high post effectiveness. Defensively, and on the boards, she utilizes her size and strength while being a consistent presence. If she continues to advance and broaden her skills Johnson could become a real force.
Michaela Mabrey, New Jersey Demons: If the key to a player's success is effectiveness, then this 5-10 combo guard is the epitome of the word. With the ball in her hands, she can create offense off the drive, the pull up or the long ball unlike many players you've seen. Her ability to finish any shot with a defender virtually glued to her face is uncanny and even had a few opponents smiling in spite of themselves. While no one specific skill or physical aspect of her game may set her apart, it's the sum of all her skills that makes her such a threat. In addition, her focus and relentless approach may set a new standard. With their already small roster thinned out due to injury and illness over the course of the event, the Demons ultimately found themselves ultimately playing with only five players. Mabrey continued to produce play after play despite being a defensive focus. She creates off the dribble effectively and utilizes and reads screens like a Rhodes Scholar. Her athleticism is sound and her listed 5-10 seems legit. The capacity to play either the off guard or the point is there and she may just be the kind of player you'd much rather play with than against.
Celina Rodrigo, GA Pistols Elite 17U: We would like to take this time and salute the true point guard -- those that lead by example and understand that rewards of good point guard play are wins. Those who follow the saying know the job is never complete and that there's always something a team can improve on. We present Rodrigo to those who enjoy pure point guard play. While she may not stuff the scorecard, she will certainly be the player that earns the respect of her opponents. She has the ability to penetrate and find open teammates. Her vision, decision-making ability and passing skills are what set her apart. Defensively, she is a pressure defender who uses both her compact frame and smarts to disrupt the opposition.
Tyshell King, Team Unique: On a young and talented Team Unique squad this 5-10 guard demonstrated both some basketball and physical skills that should help her elevate her game into the thick of a talented 2013 class. The Baltimore native already possesses an athletic and cut build and utilizes some impressive strength in every aspect of her play. On the drive she is aggressive and gets to the rim with some quickness that helps her avoid some rotating posts. Her individual skills with the ball in her hands create her penetration as well as let her navigate traffic in transition. The pull up is there but occasionally finds her drifting a bit and making the shot more difficult. She connected from long range several times, which should force tighter defensive close outs and bring a smile to her face. On the defensive end she has the potential with her combination of quickness and strength to become a real disruption for ballhandlers and seems to be embracing that role. With an attack at both ends she should find the line at her door already getting long.
Jannah Tucker, Philadelphia Belles: If you remove three of your top athletes from a club team it isn't often that the player who steps into the lurch is the youngest player on the team. This 6-0 combo guard from Randallstown, Md., has the makings of an elite player on the high-school level and beyond. Physically she has the size, athleticism and maturity to match up against players older and much more experienced and still excel. Her physical strength goes with a deceiving first step to get her past aggressive on ball defenders and create both pull ups and options at the rim. The ballhandling skills are there both on the break and in the halfcourt and her decision making is advanced for her age. As with several other young shooters there's a slight forward motion in her perimeter shot but nothing that can't be ironed out making her an even more diverse threat. Effort is never an issue as she constantly gets out and out runs the floor whether on the break or getting back defensively. Her size, agility and strength make her a versatile defender and challenge for opposing teams to attack. Lots of tools and potential are in place.
Courtney Ekmark, Arizona Warriors: The great thing about younger players is the continual advancement of their skills and the growth they show even over a short period of time. This 5-11 guard has made impressive strides just over this past spring and summer and it's not like she was starting from scratch. Having already displayed a court intelligence and feel for the game usually reserved for older players, the Phoenix, Ariz., youngster has become a more attacking and aggressive threat every time she touches the ball. While still reading the floor effectively, she's getting defenders out of their stance more often and looking to force defensive shifts with her penetration. Her decision making on those drives more often than not leads to a bucket or an assist on a well-disciplined Warrior team. The quicker release that needed to evolve is coming into play and she's even showing a true jumper off the dribble from good range. Her size is making her tough defender and her reach is getting several touches off the ball. Keep watching.
Gabrielle Ortiz, Midwest Elite: While everyone was watching the impressive play of Samantha Logic on the Midwest Elite's Platinum team, the folks with foresight were checking out this 5-6 point guard from Logic's hometown of Racine, Wis., on the Black team. To describe her game as assertive and aggressive would be an understatement. A confident and extremely impressive ballhandler she had complete control of a floor where she was the youngest player on either team by two years. Pushing the ball on almost every possession, she has vision and makes smart decisions with the ball. On penetration she distributed the ball or got to the line on multiple occasions. Not many perimeter looks came her way but the form on her free throws seemed sound and reliable. Logic may have come into her own before her senior year but Ortiz is catching people's attention now.
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Mark Lewis is the national recruiting coordinator for ESPN HoopGurlz. Twice ranked as one of the top 25 assistant coaches in the game by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association, he has more than 20 years of college coaching experience at Memphis State, Cincinnati, Arizona State, Western Kentucky and, most recently, Washington State. He can be reached at mark@hoopgurlz.com.
Kelvin Powell is a national evaluator for ESPN HoopGurlz. A former coach and club-program director, he operates Roundball Journal, a leading prep scouting service, and is a contributing editor at SLAM Magazine, as well as a member of the McDonald's All-American and the Gatorade National and State Player of the Year Selection Committees. He can be reached at kelvin@hoopgurlz.com.