Evals
Nike National Invitational Tournament(2014) Standouts
With over 450 teams all playing basketball under one roof in front of 529 registered coaches in attendance, here is a quick look at some of the evaluations of the many Canadian standouts:
2015
Chelayne Bailey
Part of the glue that holds the ‘A’ Game T-Dot team together is 5’6″ PG, Chelayne Bailey. Relentlessly providing backcourt defensive help, Bailey continued to prove that she is a high level on the ball defender with good lateral quickness. Delivering on just about everything that was asked of her on the defensive end, and steadily improving offence this weekend should only see her stock continuing to rise at just the right time before her Senior year.
Julia Chandler
With what seemed like over 75 college coaches taking in ‘A’ Game T-Dot’s last game on Saturday, Chandler put together a game for the ages against a quality Full Package Elite squad. In that game she showed off just about everything in her post game arsenal. Defensively from denials to on-ball defending. On the other end, offensive rebounding to pulling the trigger on drop step hooks…talk about stepping it up with all the lights on!
Chiso Ufondu
Team Alberta has a gem in this PG. Although at times it appeared as though her creativity was held under wraps, it was apparent by her play that her athleticism and different ways of scoring could of benefit at the next level. She is strong and demonstrated that she can shoot from long distance. It appeared as though she knew exactly where each of her teammates needed to be during the execution of plays but at times made her intentions very obvious when running the point. Early on in games, it also seemed as though it took her some time to get use of the pace of play and the athleticism of opponents she encountered in games vs Illinois Defenders 17U Black and Team Fury Select U17, but as the games went on, she seemed to find her groove. It is too bad though, that in a showcase such as this, many of the things that were only on display in small doses. Many of the things that she could bring to the table were held under wraps, not allowing her to play to her strengths.
Rylee Welsh
Rylee Welsh
Shining brightly for Greg Grant Canada was Welsh, who’s fierce competitiveness will be a valuable commodity at the next level. She logged a serious amount of minutes over the tournament for her team that only appeared to have dressed seven players. Each one of those minutes were spent earning her stripes, as well as respect from her opponents. Likely more of a Wing player, Welsh played a hand at the Guard spot as well finding open teammates. She showed that can shoot from outside when given the chance, but showed very little of it because of the need from her team to have more inside presence. She was forever on the move slashing through lanes or fighting for position in the post. While I don’t foresee her being able to play too much in the post at the next level, I do expect teams to want to benefit from mismatches and her ability to play through contact.
Ayoleka Sodade
Fitting right in on her first foray onto the summer travel scene, Sodade’s stock is continuing to rise throughout the summer. Having next to no exposure before this summer, she is showing many what we’ve known of for quite some time. She is a Guard that is a strong, tough defender that can find ways to score. I would hope that the ability to complete around the basket with both hands would be something that she continues to refine in her skill building. Regardless, because of the way that she played this weekend, and how she has been flying under the radar, a school at the next level may be in line to land the hidden gem she is proving to be.
Nike National Invitational Tournament(2014) Standouts continued…
2016
2014 Team Manitoba during time out at Nike Invit. Tourn.
Mackenzie Trpcic
Rattled? Not Trpcic, who went about her business in a very ‘no big deal, this is what I do’ type manner as usual. She shot the ball well this weekend, displaying high percentage accuracy. In protecting the ball in the open court, she was under the gun quite often from several full court assaults like the kind she faced from the pressure of athletic Guards from Positive Directions 16U. Aside from the occasional gaff here and there, she proved that she has a whole lot of intelligence going on with her skill. Needing to get stronger is one of the traits that this Point Guard needs to foster in order to help her on the ball in the open court. Being able to outthink opponents is helping to compensate for that for now.
Halle Bovell
Bovell brought her athleticism with her to Chicago and had it on full display this weekend. Bovell’s lean muscular build was all over the floor this past weekend, backing down from no one proving that she has the agility, speed, leaping ability and strength to more than carry her own and be viewed as a promising prospect. Her transition game was sound when she pulled down any over her several rebounds and put the ball on the floor with an eye up court and getting out of her own end. Being more offensive minded will have to continue to be her focus in order to round out her game. I saw some glimpses of improvement in that area and will look to see more of that as we all wait for her to round out to be the complete player everyone is waiting for her to be. All of course done within the context of the game, we’re all waiting for her to find ways to bring more than just the intangibles to the game (which are nice), and making a difference on the scoreboard.
Keylyn Filewich
Filewich is a big Forward that is tough to move out of position once she has set up in the Post. She uses her long reach to not only help to keep opponents at bay, but she also routinely extends her off hand creating a great target for her Guards to make entry passes. Once she has the ball in hand, she did find some good success completing around the basket with decent post moves. After rebounding the ball, I saw some instances where the ball would not be kept high, which allowed opponents to swoop in and tie up the ball, a point she will need to be mindful of that as she progresses.
Kendra Van Leeuwen
Showing no signs of rust from an extended European run with the Canadian Cadette U17s late last month, Van Leeuwen brought a tight skill set to Chicago. She made the most of her experiences running the point on the international stage and applied it as a starter for Team Ontario 16U by being a sure handed PG. While Van Leeuwen will not overwhelm you with her athleticism, you can certainly respect the consistent low turnovers, well run offence and the scoring touch she brings game in and game out.
Nike National Invitational Tournament(2014) Standouts continued…
Team Ontario U15 celebrate victory at Nike Invitational Tournament
2017
Carmen Handy
After not having seen Handy in league play after she withdrew this past Winter from playing with the London Ramblers in Ontario’s Elite league, I was very interested in seeing the development of the top prospect and was pleased to observe that she hasn’t really missed a beat. Handy, at about 6’1″, was a steady source of security in handling the ball on the perimeter for her team. She was a rock in relieving pressure off her Guards and did well in picking her opportunities to attack the basket when given the reigns to run their offence. In their game against the pesky Guards of NYC’s Positive Direction, she remained poised while finding different ways to score on one end, and was a shot altering presence when, by default, her size dictated that she was needed in the paint.
Aiden Rainford
A very good post game is continuing to develop for Rainford. Being called on to perform much of what was required in the absence of her Team Ontario U15 teammate, Hailey Brown, Rainford answered the call very well along with the rest of her teammates with back to back wins over the NJ Sparks and New England Crusaders in July 12th action. Good rotation on her inside pivot foot, playing through contact, great use of head and ball fakes were Rainford’s bread and butter, done so against very good competition.
Alyssa Jerome
Jerome is a serviceable big that managed to play a number of positions quite well throughout the event. She was very comfortable running the offence and even withstanding double team pressure from several angles quite well. Left alone on the perimeter, Jerome found ways to be a deep threat when necessary along with showing some back to the basket post moves. Jerome is right now demonstrating many of the qualities that have left me intrigued enough to look forward to seeing how things will develop over the coming years. From what I see now, there is more than enough to indicate that she can be a very big deal when all is said and done.
2018
Paulla Weekes
Weekes, a lefty, showed a lot of promise this weekend playing at a very good level in the U17 age group for the ‘A’ Game Kendra Seto team. While learning to think a whole lot quicker and getting used to the level of play, Weekes’ has shown signs of improvement since her rep season. Her weakside help and ability to close in and trap led to favorable results. Along with good lateral footwork, her defensive skills are budding at a very good time in her development.
Mikayla Dalipe
Speed, size and skill. This is the trifecta that Dalipe was working with as her Blessed Sacrament Team put up a great showing in a big win over Colorado Elite Red 14U. Her and her 2018 teammates controlled every aspect of this game and set the tone for continued excellence as the team eyes a further appearance at USJN Washington.
2019
Laeticia Amihere
Long limbs and athleticism are the hallmark of this still uncertain and unassertive Forward, but her potential for great things are definitely on the horizon. When watching Amihere you can almost see her thinking about what her next move(s) should be as she learns the game, preventing her from fully displaying all she can be. But with her, in small doses, we are seeing something very special about to bloom. Once she plays the game a whole lot more, gathers much needed game experience, and matches that up with her physical attributes and abilities, she is bound to be a special player with a very high ceiling.