BallN On The Beach: Top Standouts Pt. 3
Last weekend, Venice Beach played host to BallN On The Beach, a 5×5 tournament hosted by the Los Angeles Sparks. The event featured some of the top talent in CA as well as some from out of state as well.…
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Continue ReadingLast weekend, Venice Beach played host to BallN On The Beach, a 5×5 tournament hosted by the Los Angeles Sparks. The event featured some of the top talent in CA as well as some from out of state as well. The tournament featured a 17U division and a 15U division with the winners of each getting to attend the Sparks game against the Seattle Storm on Sunday Sept 12.
I was able to attend the event all day and here’s a look at some of the top standouts of that weekend.
1. Skye Belker Skye Belker 5'8" | SG Windward HS | 2023 State CA – Windward 2023
Belker is solid wing player with a versatile offensive skill-set. She’s a good ball-handler and comfortable making moves off the dribble. She can pull-up and shoot and she can get all the way to the rim as well. Good shooter from three point range especially in catch and shoot situations. She has a little playmaking to her game as well. She can draw the defense and get some easy shot opportunities for her teammates.
2. Malia Samuels Malia Samuels 5'7" | PG Garfield | 2023 State #46 Nation WA – Eastside Catholic (WA) 2023
Samuels was a player I first saw back in October and she’s blossomed into one of the top point guards on the West Coast. She can slide over to the two guard as well if need be. She has strong scoring abilities; she can shoot from the midrange and from three. Finds her teammates in traffic. When she gets downhill, she’s tough to stop and can get to the rim with ease. Very patient offensively.
3. Samari Bankhead – Windward 2025
Bankhead will be entering her first year of high school with an advanced game. She is a very good ball-handler for a player her size. What stood out to me the most was her playmaking ability. She can operate well in the high post and her size/height allows her to see the court over defenders. Good passer from the high post. She has a good feel for the game and knows when to attack and when to make the pass. Crafty finisher at the rim.
4. La’Nya Foster – Lovejoy (GA) 2023
Foster was a player I saw for the first time that stood out to me for her slashing ability. She’s tough and fearless getting to the rim. She’s able to draw contact and get herself to the free throw line. She’s a guard, and more of a shooting guard. She is able to handle the ball on the break and she can find her open teammates running with her in transition.