Grand Rapids, MI: Battle in the Mitten is the perfect chance for AAU teams to work out some kinks, create good energy, and get the players on the same page. There were new faces in new places and old faces in the same places. But at the end of the day, the BALL IS BALL, and Spring is here, so it brought out some of the best. Here are just a few that stood out this weekend.
Brooklyn Holm 2028 MI Mystics 2027 S40 Chosen
Brooklyn had a big-time day playing aggressively, scoring the ball, and showing a nice array of moves in the post. Playing up a grade, she showed she belonged!
McKynley Gaddy 2027 Michigan Drive Premier
A prototypical PG, Gaddy does a great job running the show and delivering the ball to the right person at the right time. Playing with a super high IQ, a tight handle, and great vision, she always seems to be in control of the game, all good attributes of a top point guard!
Rihanna Young 2027 Michigan Crossover EYBL
Young is a shifty, strong guard who does a great job getting to her spots and making plays off the bounce. She can shoot from deep and is relentlessly attacking the lane. Her defensive pressure will be a problem for all guards trying to handle the rock in her neighborhood this spring!
Chloe Kilbride 2025 Always 100
Chloe is a physical guard who is a light’s out shooter, she did a great job finding her spots and knocking down the three ball. Chloe does a great job letting the game come to her and not forcing shots.
Makayla Schlorf 2026 Michigan Premier
Makayla was all over the floor Sunday, driving and dishing, using her quickness to make play after play and, as usual, outhustling anyone and everyone in the game. What makes Makayla's specialty is her ability to attack off the bounce and put pressure on the defense. This week, she was knocking down the three as well, which made her extremely tough to cover!
Nicole James 2027 Michigan Crossover EYBL
Nicole was dominant this weekend, scoring in the lane, running the floor, finishing in transition, holding the paint down defensively, blocking shots, and rebounding the basketball. The State of Michigan will remain a hotbed for recruiting, with the likes of James just getting started!
Nina Sims 2025 Always 100 Next Level
Nina did a great job Sunday playing off the bounce and creating for herself or a teammate with the ball in her hands. She also did a great job in transition, using her exceptional physical ability and speed to push the ball and make plays. Nina caught my eye by how hard she played on both ends of the floor, getting to every 50/50 ball and causing havoc on defense.
Jozelynn Begick 2027 Michigan Mystics
Jozelynn is an athletic, smooth wing who does a great job getting to the basket and using her length to finish over and around defenders. She shows nice range shooting the jumper and is unafraid to mix it up underneath.
Molly McLeod 2025 Michigan Crossover EYBL
Molly was in her shot bag this weekend, knocking down big time threes from all over the floor. If you know anything about Molly, she will live in the gym this spring, and if she keeps making shots consistently like Sunday, she will be a big factor for the Crossover 17U squad.
Addi Zajac 2027 Michigan Drive Premier
Addi rode the momentum from a great run during her high school season and showed why she is one of the top post players in her class. Playing extremely physically, she displayed a soft touch around the hoop, catching and scoring the rock. She also did a great job drawing the double team and passing out to her shooters.
Harlem Simpson 2027 Michigan Crossover EYBL
Harlem plays the point guard position with great pace and tempo. She is always under control and is an exceptional decision-maker. She hit the jumper from deep and is a tough on-ball defender.
Rayah Hitt 2026 Michigan Premier 2025
Rayah started the spring off strong, aggressively attacking the hoop and making plays off the bounce. She is a physical guard who seems to thrive through contact. She scored multiple times, getting to the hoop, taking the hit, and still finishing. Playing up a grade, Rayah just always seems to make the right play.
Diamond Prince 2026 Michigan Crossover EYBL
Diamond is a smooth lefty with the rock on a string, great vision, and a nice array of finishes around the hoop. She also showed she could hit the jumper consistently from the outside, making defenders pick their poison when covering her.
Olivia Gadson 2027 Michigan Drive Premier
A nice, athletic guard who was all over defensively, forcing turnovers and excelling in transition. Olivia is strong going to the basket, and she did a great job putting pressure on the Defense and making plays off the bounce. Look for Gadson to have a big spring and summer for Drive Premier.
Aaliyah Frost 2027 Michigan Crossover EYBL
Aaliyah stood out Sunday with her consistent control of the game. She ran the show for Crossover using a strong handle, great vision, and an ability to break her defender down off the bounce to score the rock or drop a dime. Frost is one of the top young guards in the state, and her competitive drive on both ends of the floor, along with her natural ability, will have colleges calling for the next few years.
