Chicago, IL: The class of 2022 was strong at the GEYBL Nike Nationals and Tournament of Champions, and it is worth the time to ponder the possibilities and potential a few of them have. Now, with girls playing two years up, there was a fair share of highs and lows, cheers and “oh nos” but the talent was undeniable. Also, there’s two special 2020 that I couldn’t help but include in this edition of the LBI Nike National/Tournament of Champions recap.
5'6" Cassidy Rowe PG 2022 Kentucky Premier 16U (KY)
Cassidy Rowe’s motor is off the charts. This allows her to have an impact on both ends of the court. Offensively, she worked well in pick and roll situations. She was routinely able to get the ball to bigs diving to the basket or cutting from the short corner. She has a perfect handle, and she works very well off a deadly hesitation dribble. Rowe played very productive minutes for Kentucky Premier and is well on her way to finding minutes for some lucky D1 school.
6'1" Ysabella Fontleroy PF 2022 Missouri Phenom 16U (MO)
Ysabella is tough. Big time tough. She has a great frame already for being so young, and she knows how to use it. She was solid in the high post but got down to business on the block. She consistently found herself as the screener in crucial pick and roll situations down the stretch of a highly competitive game vs. Michigan Crossover. Her ability to screen allowed her to take advantage of smaller guards on switches. In a 3-4 minute span late in the 4th quarter, she was arguably the best player on the court among many good players. She finished shots on drop steps, caused havoc on the offensive glass, and knocked down a few crucial free throws to help her team win an overtime thriller to go to the GEYBL 16U Final. Fontleroy is a force, and I’m 100% sure she’s forced her way unto many BCS recruiting list with her performance this week.
5'7" Paulina Paris PG 2022 Exodus NYC 16U (NY)
Paulina Paris is an ultra-skilled PG who seems to embrace the challenges of playing 16U as a rising 9th grader. I think it’s little easier for 2022 bigs to make the jump while guards seemingly have a more difficult time making the transition. Though Paris struggled at times, one thing is evident; the talent is undeniable. She has a great handle and high basketball I.Q. Shot form and rotation looks great. I’m going to guess that with a little more seasoning and a bit of strength, Paris will be considered the creme of the crop of PGs in her class.
5'9" Paris Clark PG 2022 Exodus NYC 16U (NY)
Exodus NYC's master plan is to produce the top guards in the 2022 class. Well, they are off to a great start in the aforementioned Paulina Paris and Paris Clark. Clark is smooth. She is very fluid and moves effortlessly on the court. She displayed great touch around the basket in transition and when getting to the rim off the dribble. I thought to myself, when I watch Paris play again, I’m going to make sure I bring some bread and peanut butter because she got the jelly! She showed the ability to finish from multiple angles when attacking the basket and revealed she has poise beyond her years. With Paulina Paris and Paris Clark, the Paris name won’t be just a popular name for a city, but also a popular name used in the discussion of best guards in the country.
Exodus NYC's master plan is to produce the top guards in the 2022 class. Well, they are off to a great start in the aforementioned Paulina Paris and Paris Clark. Clark is smooth. She is very fluid and moves effortlessly on the court. She displayed great touch around the basket in transition and when getting to the rim off the dribble. I thought to myself, when I watch Paris play again, I’m going to make sure I bring some bread and peanut butter because she got the jelly! She showed the ability to finish from multiple angles when attacking the basket and revealed she has poise beyond her years. With Paulina Paris and Paris Clark, the Paris name won’t be just a popular name for a city, but also a popular name used in the discussion of best guards in the country.
6'2" Mila Reynolds SF 2022 Michigan Crossover 16U (MI)
Mila Reynolds, like most 2022s I watched, had some difficulties playing on the GEYBL 16U circuit. However, as the tournament went on, Mila begin to show why she is highly touted for her versatility. She canned a couple of deep triples, got to her one-dribble pull-up, and finished a few tough layups in the paint. Defensively, she’s moving her feet better vs. smaller perimeter players and has a feel for defending the post. Mila has to get stronger, but the skill set and potential are off the charts.
6'2" Imani Lester PF 2022 Carolina Flames 16U (NC)
Imani has an unassuming and modest presence about her. However, all that goes away when this long, athletic, and energetic young lady starts to work. She is a difficult matchup for a like-sized player because of her mobility. She’s a post player who is comfortable out on the floor. Also, I saw a little more in Chicago then I did in Indy in that she was directing traffic in the back of Carolina Flames 2-3. So, she’s smart, and unlike many of the other 2022s, she was willing to communicate on the court. That’s huge at this age. Imani has impressed on the 16U circuit, and I believe only just scratching the surface. Cmon, say it with me, B-C-S!
6'2" Maliyah Johnson SG 2020 CY-Fair Elite 16U (TX)
I was committed to only write about 2022s, but the ceiling for Maliyah Johnson is as high and awe-inspiring as the Sistine Chapel. Now I haven’t personally seen the Sistine Chapel (only pictures), but I have personally seen Maliyah Johnson guard every position and score at all three levels over the course of 3 games in Chicago. She runs the floor exceptionally well and is murder in transition. Unstoppable going left with a quick and long first step. The lefty shot the three well off the dribble and spotting up. She was effective offensively from multiple spots on the floor: baseline, 45, top, high post, and low post. Johnson is the kind of player that makes the hairs stand up on your arm when you think about the potential. CY Fair has a gem!
6'4" Lauren Ware Post 2020 Dakota Drillers (ND)
Ware is a walking double/double machine. She dominated the paint and offensive glass in a few games in the Windy City. Ware’s post-up game was hard to defend. She cut hard to the block and posted up strong. Once she got it in there, she made layups from awkward angles and made it look easy. Where she catches it doesn’t matter, just put it in the book. When the double team came, she made the interior pass for a layup.
6'6" Lauren Betts Post 2022 EJ Hoops (CO)
The youngest player on a team loaded with talent, Lauren is quite an asset. In a few big wins over several good teams, she was a force inside. At 6’6” Betts plays likes it, as she defended the post and controlled the defensive boards. Lauren was very active in the paint on the offensive end, grabbing offensive rebounds and drawing fouls on the putbacks. Her entire AAU career will be at the highest level of competition. She is an exceptional young talent with a tremendous upside that will have many college coaches invading the state of Colorado for the next few years.
6'1" Kendall Coley Wing 2021 Minnesota Suns (MN)
Coley had a strong showing in a game against New York Havoc. Her audition in front of the college coaches was impressive. Already known for being a scoring and rebounding force inside, Coley stepped out of the paint and hit a few three-pointers and showed off a nice mid-range jumper as she raises up very well and has a proper release, she also showed the ability to put the ball on the floor on several drives to the basket where she was able to finish with either hand.
5'10" Ruby Whitehorn Wing 2022 Michigan Crossover (MI)
Ruby played an excellent all-around game for the Crossover in several games in Chicago. She was setting up her bigs with some nice dimes for layups, and she also scored when the opportunity was there. She ran the point for a well-balanced attack and also contributed numerous double-digit games. Whitehorn is a unique talent that should be in many national recruiting services top 10 lists.
