Breakout Season? Three Under the Radar Players to Watch
This past “COVID season” allowed a number of “under the radar” players to catch their shine in the spotlight. More playing time, more roster spots, and more opportunities made this possible. Here are three players to keep your eye on going into the summer and next season.
- Shelby Whiteaker – 5’10” SG – Dakota Ridge High School, Hoops Academy (AAU)
Going into her senior season, Shelby Whiteaker is posed to take a massive jump going into this next year. Due to Dakota Ridge losing a good amount of players due to graduation this past year, Shelby’s role on the team will be expanded. Her shooting range easily extends to the college three point line and she is a crafty finisher inside the paint on smaller guards. She is also very adept at taking charges on opposing players driving to the rim. In her AAU national tournament debut down in Florida, she averaged 15 PPG, 6 RPG, 2.5 SPG, and 1.5 BPG. She is poised to take the next step going into next season.
2. Mia Boser – 6’1″ C – Dakota Ridge High School, Hoops Academy (AAU)
Although she is only going into her sophomore year, Mia Boser is already proving that she can hang with the best bigs in a tough 5A conference. Standing at 6’1″ Mia is a force to be messed with in the paint. Her ability to finish layups with both hands as well as box out opposing bigs allows her to stand head and shoulders above the competition. She is also a tenacious rebounder and has a solid fifteen foot jumper in her arsenal as well. She also participated in the national AAU tournament with Shelby, averaging 8 PPG, 12 RPG, and 1.5 BPG. She is poised to take the next step going into next season.
3. Isabella Vigil – 5’4″ PG/SG – Addenbrooke Classical Academy, Skills Basketball (AAU)
Also going into her sophomore season, Isabella Vigil is a stud at the guard position. Despite only standing at 5’4″ Isabella is a crafty ball handler and knows how to get to her spots on the court. She is also very adept at drawing contact and getting to the free throw line. Stretching out to the three point line, she is able to hit high school three’s efficiently and plays aggressively on the defensive end. She made varsity as a freshman and she is expecting nothing less as she moves into her next season.