Manheim, PA: For the first time, all the Under Armour Association grassroots girls programs came together on April 26-28, 2019 to compete at the Girls UAA Session I in Manheim, PA at the beautiful Spooky Nook Complex. Numerous top players were in attendance and displayed exceptional skills while competing with their respective teams. Under Armour's mission is to empower many female athletes. The event was open to many fans and was well attended by regional and national media outlets. I can't wait to see what the GUAA Session II will look like but first listed below are some of the standout performers from Session I.
GUAA Session I Top 17U UAA Team
FBC United (5-0)
Coming off an impressive championship at the WPA Bruins Spring Tip-Off Classic in which they knocked off a few powerhouse teams, FBC United left the GUAA Session I as the team to beat in the inaugural league. Led by 6'7" Post Kamilla Cardosa '20 and 6'1" SG Treasure Hunt '20 and few more standouts on their roster, FBC United had an average margin of victory of over 30 points in five games. I know it is early and anything can happen in a one-game elimination format, but as of right now this team will be tough to beat come July.
Coming off an impressive championship at the WPA Bruins Spring Tip-Off Classic in which they knocked off a few powerhouse teams, FBC United left the GUAA Session I as the team to beat in the inaugural league. Led by 6'7" Post Kamilla Cardosa '20 and 6'1" SG Treasure Hunt '20 and few more standouts on their roster, FBC United had an average margin of victory of over 30 points in five games. I know it is early and anything can happen in a one-game elimination format, but as of right now this team will be tough to beat come July.
Five Teams That Could Knock Off FBC United
1. FGB
2. West Coast Elite
3. Arkansas Banshees
4. WV Thunder
5. KC Lady Run GMC
2. West Coast Elite
3. Arkansas Banshees
4. WV Thunder
5. KC Lady Run GMC
GUAA Session I 17U Surprise Team
SC 76ers (4-1)
They might have the youngest starting five in the 17U division, but when those young players are 6'3" Post Ashley Watkins '22 & 5'8" PG Milaysia Fulwiley '23 and add in 6'2" SF Nyah Leveretter '20 who is committed to Kentucky you are in good shape. The 76ers left Spooky Nook with a 4-1 record which should give them a ton of confidence heading into session II in Indianapolis in July.
GUAA Session I Top Performers
2020 Gabby Elliott 5'11" SF Michigan Storm Elite
Elliott is long and very athletic. She is an excellent rim attacker and also has a nice three-point shot. Elliott has an excellent first step that allows her to beat defenders and get to the rim where she can finish in heavy traffic or draw the foul. Gabby will not hesitate to post a smaller defender and elevate over them. She competes and plays better when the stakes are high. She had a game-high 31 points and ten rebounds in the leading the Michigan Storm to an impressive victory over the Metro Stars.
Elliott is long and very athletic. She is an excellent rim attacker and also has a nice three-point shot. Elliott has an excellent first step that allows her to beat defenders and get to the rim where she can finish in heavy traffic or draw the foul. Gabby will not hesitate to post a smaller defender and elevate over them. She competes and plays better when the stakes are high. She had a game-high 31 points and ten rebounds in the leading the Michigan Storm to an impressive victory over the Metro Stars.
2020 Paige Buekers 5'11" PG Metro Stars (MN)
Buekers is a long and wiry point that possess excellent ball skills. She scores in the open and half court with quick first step slashes that includes excellent body control. She also has a nice mid-range pull up jumper. Paige uses her length to shoot and pass over smaller defenders with ease. Buekers has a good handle and is a good and willing passer because she has a good feel on how to get teammates involved. She's an excellent perimeter rebounder on both ends and is also a good enough athlete to be capable of defending both wing positions as well. (Committed to UConn)
Buekers is a long and wiry point that possess excellent ball skills. She scores in the open and half court with quick first step slashes that includes excellent body control. She also has a nice mid-range pull up jumper. Paige uses her length to shoot and pass over smaller defenders with ease. Buekers has a good handle and is a good and willing passer because she has a good feel on how to get teammates involved. She's an excellent perimeter rebounder on both ends and is also a good enough athlete to be capable of defending both wing positions as well. (Committed to UConn)
2020 Kamilla Cardosa 6'7" Post FBC United
Kamilla had many dominant performances for FBC United in several victories in Spooky Nook. She was an immovable object in the post as she scored easily inside on every touch. Many teams tried fouling her when she got the ball down low, but it provided little to no resistance as Kamilla powered the ball to the rim with no problem. She easily split double and triple teams in the post to score or pass to open shooters for easy looks from three. On defense she took up space in the lane, discouraging drives to the basket. Her overall impact on the game was vital for FBC United.
Kamilla had many dominant performances for FBC United in several victories in Spooky Nook. She was an immovable object in the post as she scored easily inside on every touch. Many teams tried fouling her when she got the ball down low, but it provided little to no resistance as Kamilla powered the ball to the rim with no problem. She easily split double and triple teams in the post to score or pass to open shooters for easy looks from three. On defense she took up space in the lane, discouraging drives to the basket. Her overall impact on the game was vital for FBC United.
GUAA Session I Future Stars
2023 Judea Watkins 6'1" SG Vegas Elite 16U
This was the first time that I have seen Watkins play, and she is as good as advertised. Playing in the 16U division, Watkins looked very comfortable on the floor. She has a very high basketball IQ which allows her to beat her opponent in many ways. Judea has a sweet shooting stroke out to 22’ whether it’s spotting up or off the catch. She has the size and length to play on the blocks when needed to. This kid is an elite talent and I can see why many have her rated as the #1 prospect in the country in the class of 2023.
This was the first time that I have seen Watkins play, and she is as good as advertised. Playing in the 16U division, Watkins looked very comfortable on the floor. She has a very high basketball IQ which allows her to beat her opponent in many ways. Judea has a sweet shooting stroke out to 22’ whether it’s spotting up or off the catch. She has the size and length to play on the blocks when needed to. This kid is an elite talent and I can see why many have her rated as the #1 prospect in the country in the class of 2023.
2023 Milaysia Fulwiley 5'7" PG SC 76ers 17U
This kid is going to be unique. Fulwiley is a very aggressive guard with impressive quickness. She can penetrate the gaps and find her teammates in transition. Her foot speed proved too much for many as she quickly got to the rim for a smooth finish. Milaysia was all over the floor defensively causing many dead balls and forcing turnovers. She's going to be a severe problem for many opposing guards for years to come.
This kid is going to be unique. Fulwiley is a very aggressive guard with impressive quickness. She can penetrate the gaps and find her teammates in transition. Her foot speed proved too much for many as she quickly got to the rim for a smooth finish. Milaysia was all over the floor defensively causing many dead balls and forcing turnovers. She's going to be a severe problem for many opposing guards for years to come.
2022 Dominique Ennis-McIntyre 5'7" PG Canada Elite 15U
This rising star was the glue that held her team together. Her composure and ball handling awareness allowed her to make significant decisions against the opposing team's pressure defense. She scored the ball when necessary and often made the proper pass.
This rising star was the glue that held her team together. Her composure and ball handling awareness allowed her to make significant decisions against the opposing team's pressure defense. She scored the ball when necessary and often made the proper pass.
GUAA Session I Top 3 Shooters
1. 2020 Taylor Theusch 5'7" PG Wisconsin Flight 17U
Leave her open, and she will make you pay for it. Led Session I by shooting 59% from behind the arc.
Leave her open, and she will make you pay for it. Led Session I by shooting 59% from behind the arc.
2. 2020 Aaliyah Nye 5'11" SG Michigan Storm Elite 17U
Silent assassin, Nye knocked down many triples in helping her squad to some impressive wins throughout the weekend. She has a sweet shooting stroke from deep that every college coach in America is looking for.
Silent assassin, Nye knocked down many triples in helping her squad to some impressive wins throughout the weekend. She has a sweet shooting stroke from deep that every college coach in America is looking for.
3. 2022 Justine Pissott 6'2" SG NJ Shoreshots
Pissot can shoot it from deep or in the mid-range. Her length allows her to pull-up over smaller defenders effortlessly off the dribble. Looking forward to watching Pissott game grow over the next few years.
Pissot can shoot it from deep or in the mid-range. Her length allows her to pull-up over smaller defenders effortlessly off the dribble. Looking forward to watching Pissott game grow over the next few years.
