NIKE NATIONALS WAS THE PLACE TO BE THIS WEEK.
Chicago, IL: The event was packed with big-time players and big time coaches, a true who's who on the sidelines. Future college standouts were everywhere, and plenty of hoopers put on an absolute show. Here are a few who stepped up and stood out.
Brooklyn Haywood 2026 Guard Cal Stars
Brooklyn displays elite poise and presence every time she steps on the floor. She commands the game with maturity beyond her years, consistently picking her spots and making the right reads. Her ability to run a team and control tempo is special, and she has a knack for creating plays when her team needs them most. Undoubtedly, she’s one of the top guards in the country and continues to separate herself with every performance.
Chasity Rice 2027 Guard Sports Academy Swish
A tough, quick guard who was a problem for defenders all weekend. Her first step was explosive, and she was nearly impossible to keep in front. She consistently made big-time baskets in key moments, showing confidence and grit. A true competitor who set the tone with her relentless play.
Ella May Cooper 2027 Guard Team Prime
A crafty guard with a high basketball IQ, she showed an impressive balance of scoring and facilitation throughout the weekend. Whether setting up teammates or creating her own shot, she made the right play time and time again. Her feel for the game and ability to control the pace made her a standout every time she hit the floor.
Jhai Johnson 2026 Forward Sports Academy Swish
An outstanding prospect with great length, size, and athleticism. Her upside is through the roof. She impacted the game inside and out, showing versatility on both ends of the floor. In the few games I watched, she was dominant rebounding, scoring, defending, and making her presence felt everywhere. A true game-changer with star potential.
Layla Dixon 2026 Wing Cal Stars
A physical shooter who lit it up every time I saw her play. She showed deep range and a smooth, confident stroke, as if she didn’t miss all weekend. On top of that, she attacked closeouts and finished strong at the rim. A tough, skilled scorer who kept defenses on their heels.
Emma Christerson 2028 Guard Sports City Angels
Emma is a true shooter with unlimited range; she was locked in on both ends of the floor all weekend. Time and time again, she stepped up and hit the big shot when her team needed it most. Her poise and clutch performance had a huge impact, making for an impressive and complete showing.
Riley Schellhammer 2028 Guard Michigan Crossover 15U
Riley had coaches buzzing all weekend with the way she shot the ball. A quick release paired with impressive range made her a constant threat. What really stood out was her ability to put it on the floor and create off the bounce, showing she's far more than just a shooter. A breakout performance that turned heads.
Paisley Stephens 2028 Guard Michigan Crossover 15U
Paisley is one of the best passers in the building. She sees the floor exceptionally well and plays with a maturity well beyond her years. A top level guard rebounder, she consistently cleaned up the glass and pushed the pace. When her team needed a bucket, she stepped up as a scorer too, proving she can carry the load on both ends. A big-time prospect with all the tools.
Olivia Vukosa 2026 Forward Philly Rise
Big O was one of the best in the building all weekend. She has unbelievably soft hands, a smooth touch around the rim, and a great feel for the game. Her passing out of the post was impressive, and she showed solid footwork on both ends. With all the tools and upside, she’s one of the best bet recruits on the board.
Jayla Jackson 2026 Wing Team Durant
Simply put, Jackson can score the rock. She was the complete package all weekend, knocking down shots from deep, attacking off the dribble, and finishing through contact at the rim. Her ability to score at all three levels made her nearly impossible to guard. A dynamic offensive threat with a killer instinct.
Jemini Mitchell 2027 Guard Cy Fair
Jemini plays with incredible smoothness and efficiency, no wasted movement. She gets to her spots with ease and makes scoring look effortless. Whether it was knocking down the three, pulling up off the bounce, or blowing by defenders to finish at the rim, she showcased a complete and polished offensive game.
Sydney Savoury 2027 Guard Michigan Crossover 17U EYBL
How can you be a stock riser when you're already one of the best in the country? Somehow, Sydney Savoury found a way. She continues to elevate her game and solidify her place as one of the top recruits in the nation. Her ability to score in any way she wants, whether it’s shooting with range, finishing through contact, or creating off the bounce, is unmatched. Always under control, never rattled, and incredibly physical, she takes hits and still finishes. Not only is she the best scorer in the EYBL, she’s also one of its top rebounders. A dominant two-way force.
Ava Miles 2026 Mokan Elite
Ava is a skilled ball handler with the ability to create her own shot. She showcased leadership and versatility on the floor. She scored it from deep, took smaller guards to the post, and finished with confidence. An all around guard with high-level instincts and big-time next-level potential.
Jazlyn Rhodes 2027 Guard All Iowa Attack 16U
Jazlyn is full of energy and fueled by a nonstop motor; she made plays for both herself and her teammates with exceptional creativity. Her court vision stood out, consistently finding the open player and creating opportunities. A top-tier playmaker who can also fill it up when needed
Taylor McCarty 2027 Missouri Phenom
Taylor was electric off the bench, delivering a major spark for her team. She hit big shots, proved to be a tough cover, and brought relentless energy on both ends of the floor. One of the weekend’s true stock risers.
Simone Walker 2027 Missouri Phenom
She shined brightest when her team needed her most, hitting a clutch buzzer-beater against All Iowa Attack. But it wasn’t just one moment; she was relentless on both ends all weekend long. Without a doubt, one of my top stock risers
Sydney Marshall 2027 Cy Fair 16U
Sydney is a true workhorse who did a little bit of everything. She seemed to come up with every 50/50 ball. Whether it was making hustle plays, locking in defensively, or delivering in the clutch, she stepped up big on Sunday with key plays down the stretch to help secure the win.
Meg Moore 2028 Guard Alabama Southern Stars 15U
A smooth and confident scorer who stayed in attack mode all weekend. She could knock it down from deep, but was at her best putting it on the floor and creating her own shot. A tough cover in isolation, demanded help every time.
Ava Yoon 2026 Guard Team Durant 17U
A high-IQ guard who can both facilitate and score, she did an excellent job running the show and making plays for her team. Showed real toughness getting downhill and attacking the hoop, a true floor general with grit.
Ashlee Wilson 2030 Guard All Iowa Attack 16U
Advanced ability to score the rock, and the crazy part is, she’s only a baby. You’d never know it by the way she confidently did whatever she wanted on the floor. Tough off the bounce, knocked it down from deep, and was relentless attacking the defense. Without question, one of the top young players in the country.
Frances Vollett 2027 Wing Kia Nurse Elite 16U EYBL
A long, athletic, and intriguing young prospect with tremendous upside. She looked great in transition and played with an impressive feel for the game. Don’t be surprised that colleges will be heading north to check in on this rising star.
Cayenne Buchanan 2027 Guard Kia Nurse Elite 16U EYBL
A sharpshooter who caught my eye right away with her ability to get open, find her spots, and knock down shots. She shot it with deep range and serious confidence. Definitely a rising star to keep an eye on.
Raquel Walker 2028 Guard Michigan Crossover 15U EYBL
That noise you hear? It's Walker’s recruitment skyrocketing after a standout weekend. A super athletic guard who was special attacking downhill, finishing through contact, and showing a soft touch on her pull-up. She brought it on both ends, making her presence felt as a defensive force, too.
Harlem Simpson 2027 Guard Michigan Crossover 17U EYBL
Simpson showed her ability to play both guard positions with poise and control. She took care of the ball, made tough plays in tough situations, and knocked down the open jumper. Crafty off the dribble, she consistently got to the rim and did a great job finding her teammates. Big time weekend for a rising guard
Mariah Sain 2026 Guard Michigan Crossover 17U EYBL
Known for being the most athletic and fastest player on the floor, Sain’s stock rose this weekend as a true playmaker and all-around guard. She knocked down the outside shot, made the right reads, and had coaches buzzing with her elevated game.
Se’Crette Carter 2026 Guard Michigan Crossover 17U EYBL
One of the best shooters in the building, any building. Only needs a second to get her shot off and scores it consistently. Also showed the ability to put it on the floor and finish nicely at the rim. Had a huge performance in her team’s big win vs Mokan Elite.
Harper Backus 2027 Post Michigan Crossover 16U EYBL
Harper showed a gritty, nasty side this weekend, establishing deep position, catching strong, and finishing through heavy contact. She cashed in on multiple and ones and was a force on the boards. Her steady improvement all summer is showing, and she’s playing with real confidence and toughness.
