July Courtside Standouts
2023 5’5 G Nara Kaibara (AZ Pride/ Phoenix Country Day): Kaibara is electric when she has the ball in her hands. Her ability to change direction on a dime makes her so difficult to guard. She is able to slither…
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Continue Reading2023 5’5 G Nara Kaibara (AZ Pride/ Phoenix Country Day): Kaibara is electric when she has the ball in her hands. Her ability to change direction on a dime makes her so difficult to guard. She is able to slither through defenders and finish at the rim with ease. She is also a capable shooter from deep. Defensively, she is excellent at jumping passing lanes and getting steals. Look for Kaibara to have a breakout season for the Lady Eagles.
2023 5’6 G Olivia Arvallo Olivia Arvallo 5'2" | PG Valley Vista | 2023 State AZ (AZ Pride/ Valley Vista Monsoon): Arvallo is a very good guard in the class of 2023. She can handle pressure, knock down shots from the perimeter, and pass the ball extremely well. Her court vision is extraordinary as she is able to throw no-look passes for wide open layups to her teammates. Arvallo has a really nice mid range jumper she executes off the dribble. Defensively, Arvallo is aggressive and likes to pressure the ball. Look for Arvallo to be a key player in Valley Vista’s success this season.
2023 6’1 F Kayda Pierce (AZ Pride/ Millenium HS): Pierce is a versatile player in the class of 2023. She is capable of playing at a high level on the wing as well as in the post. Pierce is deceptively quick for her size and is able to use her quickness along with her ball-handling skills to blow by opponents on the perimeter. Pierce has even shown the ability to knock down shots from the three point arc. Defensively, Pierce has great length and blocks a lot of shots. She is a very talented prospect in the class of 2023.
2024 5’10 G Dominque Nesland (AZ Pride/ Xavier Prep): Nesland is an outstanding player in the class of 2024. She is phenomenal at finishing at the rim and utilizing ball fakes to create space. Offensively, she’s as high IQ as it gets. She seems to always make the right play for her team. She is exceptionally good at running the fast break and finding open teammates for layups. Nesland is also a really good 3 point shooter. Look for Nesland to have a breakout season for Xavier Prep this upcoming year.
2024 5’6 G Jasmine Olivar Jasmine Olivar 5'6" | SG Xavier College Prep | 2024 State AZ (AZ Elite/ Xavier Prep): Olivar can flat out score the basketball. Olivar is lethal off the dribble. Her opponents have a very difficult time trying to stay in front of her. She has a very smooth pull up jumper that she uses from anywhere on the court. Olivar thrives offensively with the ball in her hands. Look for Olivar to put up some monster numbers this year, she can score in bunches.
2024 6’2 F Rachel Roderick (AZ Pride/ Sedona Red Rock): Roderick is a double-double machine. She is an elite rebounder and finisher in the paint. She has great size at 6’2 and uses it to her advantage. Offensively, if she catches the ball in the post she is going to finish over smaller defenders. She has good vision and is able to find open teammates on the perimeter if she is doubled. Defensively, Roderick does a really good job of staying in front of her opponent and timing blocks. Look for Roderick to put up consistent double-double statistics for her Sedona Red Rock this year.
2024 5’10 F Ava Pautz Ava Pautz 5'11" | SF Notre Dame Prep | 2024 State AZ (AZ Pride/ Notre Dame Prep): Pautz is a physical prospect in the class of 2024. Defensively, she is as good as it gets and can guard multiple positions. She has really good hands and is able to create a ton of deflections and steals. Pautz plays extremely hard and is able to rebound exceptionally well against bigger opponents. Offensively, Pautz uses her strength to her advantage and is able to finish through contact in the post. Pautz is a very talented prospect with a ton of upside.
2025 5’10 W Olivia Frankel Olivia Frankel 5'10" | SG Notre Dame Prep | 2025 State AZ ( AZ Elite/Notre Dame Prep): Frankel is a lengthy player in the class of 2025 and a name you want to keep your eyes out for. Offensively, Frankel can shoot it from the perimeter, pull up in the midrange and finish at the rim. She really likes to use an up and under step-through move in the paint that is a thing of beauty. Defensively, Frankel is gritty and is often the first player to dive on the floor for a loose ball. She also utilizes her wingspan to create deflections and steals. Look for Frankel to continue to improve and solidify herself as one of the best prospects in the class of 2025.