Class of 2023: Power 5 Conference Talent
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As we approach the middle to end of April, we highlight a few players in the Class of 2023 who have the tools to play at Power 5 schools, and to see why they should be at the top of…
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Continue ReadingAs we approach the middle to end of April, we highlight a few players in the Class of 2023 who have the tools to play at Power 5 schools, and to see why they should be at the top of the list of players to watch this 2021 AAU season.
1. Kaliyah Sain Kaliyah Sain 5'10" | SF Cedar Rapids Kennedy | 2023 State IA , 5’10, PG, Cedar Rapids Kennedy, 2023–Kaliyah is a kid that can flat out play the game of basketball. She will be playing her AAU ball this 2021 season with the elite Team Iowa team. I only watched about two minutes of her playing in one game, and it was not difficult to identify her pure talent and skill. She is definitely a guard where you sit there and say “she has it.” The way she catches the ball, her moves, basketball IQ, and decision making is all very impressive. This type of ability doesn’t come around too often, and there is no question that she should start getting some attention at the national level. This girl is only going to be getting better, and will be making some serious noise as years go on. She displays the ability to have a complete all around game, and can beat you in many ways. She can shoot the 3 ball, has range, and a great pure stroke. She also can get to the rim, finish with both hands, while making some tricky drives. Her athleticism is very evident, and she has good size and length. Kaliyah is an elite passer, and can set her teammates up for shots. She can also rack up the boards, and can cause a lot of havoc on the defensive end by getting steals. Her versatility out on the perimeter will surely make her a lethal weapon as her career goes on. With her talent, she can take her game and play at any college of her choice. This Kennedy HS sophomore put up some solid numbers this high school season with 11 PPG, 5 RPG, 2 APG, and 2 SPG. This is a must see player with the total full package for college coaches to watch as we head into the season here this April.
2. Audi Crooks Audi Crooks 6'3" | C Bishop Garrigan | 2023 State #42 Nation IA , 6’3, C, Bishop Garrigan, 2023–Audi is a post player that can cause some serious problems on the inside. She is a pivotal presence on the court on both ends of the floor, and can be unstoppable to guard. She will be playing her AAU ball this 2021 season with the elite CY Select team. Once again, after just watching her for a short time, it was very clear to me that she has the capability to take over a basketball game. Audi displays the ability to have several post moves, and she utilizes many of them throughout the course of a game. She is a great finisher at the rim, and can shoot at a high percentage while drawing the fouls. Her shot blocking ability is lethal, and she is definitely a force on the boards game in and game out. Her passing skills are amazing for a big that size as well. She displays a very confident and relaxed demeanour. Her impact on the game is unbelievable. Coming up just shy of a state tournament title this past March and leading her team to the championship game, it’s evident that she is a proven winner and competitor. This Bishop Garrigan HS sophomore put up some solid numbers this high school season averaging a double double with 20 PPG, 11 RPG, 4 BPG, 2 APG, 1 SPG, while also shooting 70% from the floor. With scholarship offers from the University of Iowa, Iowa State University, and the University of Maryland under her belt, this is a player college coaches should be thrilled to watch as we head into the season here this April.
3. Arianna Jackson Arianna Jackson 5'9" | PG Roosevelt | 2023 State IA , 5’9, PG, Des Moines Roosevelt, 2023–Arianna is a natural, gifted guard that is a dangerous perimeter player, and has the capability to be an even better overall player as she goes throughout her career. She will be playing her AAU ball this season with the elite All Iowa Attack team. Another player that I watched for a short time, and was definitely amazed. Her outside shooting is simply incredible, and she can rack up the 3-pointers in a hurry. She has a quick release, with a fluid stroke. She has a great handle, can get to the rim with ease, and can finish with both hands. Arianna has a high basketball IQ and knowledge for the game. She can get dimes out to her teammates too. She displays the ability to be a great defender, can get hands on passes, and can steal the ball. She thrives in the open court and transition game, and her athleticism is extremely evident. She can also be a force on the boards. This DM Roosevelt HS sophomore put up some solid numbers this high school season with 17 PPG, 5 RPG, 3 APG, 3 SPG, while also shooting 63% from the field, 64% from the 3-point line, 87% from the free throw line, and nailing 36 total 3-pointers in just 12 games on a very balanced scoring team. She will be taking her talents to Iowa State University in 2023, where she verbally committed to in September this past fall. This guard has the potential to be a great player in the Big 12 at the NCAA DI level.
4. Sahara Williams Sahara Williams 5'11" | SF Waterloo West | 2023 State IA , 5’11, SF, Waterloo West, 2023–Sahara is a fundamentally sound, athletic, slasher that can put on a show out on the wing; but also has the capability of utilizing her strength and size on the inside and being a threat down low. Again, after watching her after a minute or two, it was very clear to me that she has quite the game going. She will be playing her AAU ball this season with the elite All Iowa Attack team. Her passion for the game is evident, and she plays with a sense of urgency; while also playing calm, cool, and relaxed. She has a good handle, and can drive to the basket while finishing with both hands. She also runs the floor well. She’s a great 3-point shooter, and has a good stroke. She is a nightmare on the defensive end, and can get her long arms on a lot passes while racking up the steals. Sahara displays the ability to get many rebounds, and is a definite force on the boards. Her basketbal IQ is very high, and she is an elite passer for a slasher and small forward. Her high level talent is very clear, and with continued hard work and desire; the sky is the limit for this kid. Any DI school would be surely grateful to have a talent like this in their program, as she has the potential to be even better as her career goes on. This Waterloo West HS sophomore put up some solid numbers this high school season being a member of a dynamic duo with fellow teammate Halli Poock Halli Poock 5'6" | PG Waterloo West | 2023 State IA . Sahara averaged a little under 20 PPG, 8 RPG, 4 APG, 4 SPG, while also registering 12 blocks. With a scholarship offer from the University of Iowa under her belt, this is a player for college coaches to enjoy some popcorn and watch play as we head into the season here this April.
5. Jenna Hopp Jenna Hopp 5'11" | SG Glenwood | 2023 State IA , 5’10, SG, Glenwood, 2023–Jenna is a talented two guard that will surely be a stock riser out in the AAU circuit this 2021 season. She will be playing her AAU ball this season with the elite Nebraska Attack team. I also watched her for only a couple of minutes, and liked what I saw right from the get go. She has a high skill set, and can score in a variety of ways. She can shoot the 3 ball, and can hit them consecutively. She can take her defender off the bounce, and can get to the rim while finishing with both hands. Her aggressiveness and tenacity is very evident as well. She is excellent on the boards on both ends of the floor. She displays the ability to also block shots, which can cause havoc for opposing guards. Jenna can also make some good passes to her teammates, and has good court vision. With her 5’10 frame, she has the potential to be an overall lethal wing out on the perimeter. Coming up just shy of a state tournament title this past March and leading her team to the championship game, it’s evident that she is a proven winner and competitor. This Glenwood HS sophomore put up some solid numbers this high school season with 14 PPG, 8 RPG, 3 APG, 2 SPG, while also blocking 16 shots. With a scholarship offer from Eastern Illinois University under her belt, this is another player college coaches should keep their eyes on as we head into the season here this April.