Mikayla Pivec battles Robbi Ryan
Amber Ramirez (left) and Sabrina Ionescu, two of the nation's top guards, compete in drill work at the 2015 Check Me Out Showcase. *Photo by Glenn Nelson.
SEATTLE, Wash. – The first day the Check Me Out Showcase by ChrisHansenBasketball.com brought more than 120 players together to compete with and against each other in competitive skill work as well as game play. From established stars like Sabrina Ionescu and Amber Ramirez to young guns like Nyah Green, Jasmine Gayles and Julianna Walker, the field was such that each game had matchups worthy of the hype.
Here’s a look at some of the players grabbing attention at the IMA at the University of Washington.
Sedona Prince price was a big presence in the paint in the first session this morning. The 6-foot-7 post player from Liberty, Texas, has a game that is still developing but has the foundation for becoming a top post in the class of 2018. Her hands are excellent, she’s mobile for her size and shows good footwork when she gets the ball in the post. All the tools are there for the No. 4 player in the ELITE 25.
Nalyssa Smith of Converse, Texas, also in the class of 2018, brought a bundle of energy to the gym today. From warm up drills through game time, the 6-3 forward gave 100-percent effort. Smith makes is tough to match up against because of her ball handling ability and how well she can shoot the ball from the perimeter. She is a prospect to watch in years to come as shot selection on the perimeter improves with experience.
One of the guards that caught drew attention was Robbi Ryan of Sheridan, Wyo., in the class of 2016. She is a playmaking guard with a good feel for the game. Ryan's crafty passing created easy scoring opportunities for her teammates. She has a solid overall game and the ELITE 100 prospects is going to terrific playing in Arizona State’s style of play.
Kiana Williams of San Antonio, Texas, is looking to score more as she heads into her junior year. The 5-7 point guard is creative with the ball in her hands. She shoots the ball well from the perimeter which forces defenders to guard her closely and her quickness allow her to blow by to create scoring opportunities around the basket.
Savannah Dhaliwal of Surrey, B.C., picked up where she left off in the summer viewing period, showing she plays with pure toughness on the court. The class of 2017 small forward rebounds hard and works around the basket, getting a lot of shots around the rim. Her effort level and urgency on the court show she understands how to impact the game in crucial ways.
Tarryn Hart was a new addition to the Check Me Out Seattle this August. Only a 2018, she was knocking down 3-pointers with deep range and has a really slippery behind the back dribble that helps her maneuver up the floor. The 5-8 guard also had some crowd wowing passes that were very Shoni Schimmel-esque.
Raigan Reed of Marysville, Wash., had an impressive showing her first day out in the underclass division. The young 2020 guard can shoot the 3-ball and get to the rim. In two different games she showed she could move the ball around the back in traffic to score the layup. Reed has incredible upside and one to look for on the rise.
Taylor Freeman, the two-time Check Me Out Seattle player, has come back to the scene with more size and strength. She has great versatility to her game and is a get it done player. Her ability to grab rebounds defensively and get going the other direction is what she does so well from the backcourt position. The class of 2020 guard is impressive attacking the hoop and has a strong court presence.
AROUND THE RIM
Keyonna Jones of Edmonds, Wash., is no stranger to Check Me Out events or ProspectsNation.com staff. The 5-6 guard is playing with a lot more confidence this summer and it is making a difference.
Te’a Adams of Kirkland, Wash., has played most of the summer with an injured back but that didn’t stop the 5-9 point guard from making the winning play, finishing after contact, in sudden death overtime.
Hailey Van Lith of Cashmere, Wash., has already put herself on the recruiting map in the 2020 class. The lefty guard competes as hard as anyone in her age range and isn’t afraid to attack the heart of the defense..
Some players switch into me-first mode in a showcase setting but 2016 ELITE 100 wing Mikayla Pivec of Lynnwood, Wash., doesn’t have a selfish bone in her body. She competes on both ends of the floor with equal intensity.
Stephen Peck is the owner of Dream In Motion Athletics and is a national evaluator for the JumpOffPlus.com National Scouting Report. He also serves as a on-floor skills coach at the Elite Basketball Academy events. He can be reached at StephenPeck@peachstatebasketball.com.
Wetmore joined ProspectsNation.com in the summer of 2014 after graduating from the University of Washington with a Communications degree. She left Washington as the all-time leader in games played and also played with the softball team in the College World Series. She was the Gatorade State Player of the Year her senior year in high school capping off a career which included three state titles. She can be reached at mercedes@chrishansenbasketball.com.
