2008 Player Comparisons

[bballnut90]

I have only seen a few of the 2008 players, and after reading the articles that hoopgurlz.com has written and the evaluations made, I tried to compare the top 2008 prospects to current collegiate or pro players. I know I'll be completely wrong for a couple of these, I'm just trying to figure out if these comparisons are at all legit:
1. Elena DelleDonne-I don't think there is a player quite like her, she is one of the few players I have seen, and I think the best comparison I can make is a Sidney Spencer/Ann Strother.....but Elena is on a different level. Elena plays like these two in that she is a great shooter with lots of height but can also score in other ways, but I think Elena is going to be a step or 2(or 3) up from Spencer and Strother. For an NBA comparison, Dirk Nowitzski.

2. Ogwumike-I saw just a tiny bit of her in her State HS Championship game. I didn't get a great impression of her, other than she was extremely athletic. Based on scout.com's evaluations, the name Sophia Young immediately came to mind. A fluid athletic forward who is a great leaper.

3. April Sykes-I have not seen her play. From the evaluations, a more athletic Diana Taurasi comes to mind. Great passing ability, great shooting, uses her size to her advantage....all make me think of Taurasi.

4. Glory Johnson-Haven't seen her, everything about her game sounds like Vicki Baugh. Very good size and athletism(although her footspeed surpasses Vicki's and just about everybody elses footspeed.)

5. Jasmine Dixon-Haven't seen her play, haven't read a ton about her other than she is a great scorer and slasher.

6. Lynetta Kizer-Haven't seen play, from evaluations it seems like her game parallels Yolanda Griffith's. Good size, great rebounder and defender, physical player, all sounds like Yo.

7. Amber Gray-I'm debating buying the championship game on DVD to see Amber....her game sounds a lot like Marissa Coleman's. Not that tall at 6-0/6-1, but can play in the post and also on the perimeter. Described as "smooth" and is a very good versatile player.

8. Ayana Dunning-Smaller Jessica Davenport. Not extremely athletic but a good finisher around the basket and a good rebounder.

9. Shenise Johnson-I have not read or heard enough about her.

10. Brooklyn Pope-Based on evaluations and articles, it sounds like she is a less developed but maybe a more athletic and smaller version of Baugh.

11. Alicia Manning-Can't think of a great comparison after reading articles on her. Sounds like she sometimes has issues with consistency but has a great combination of size and skill.

12. Shekinna Stricklen-Maybe Nicole Powell as a WNBA player? Says she has a great jumpshot but not that strong of a shot inside the arc. Has good size and handle at 6-2 and is a good defensive player. Good passer(like Powell displayed in college).

13. Heather Buck-Maybe a more defensive version of Brooke Smith? High basketball IQ like Smith, but with better defense and probably not as strong offensively. Also, rebounding listed as a strength, where it wasn't one of Smith's best skills.

14. Caroline Doty-Sue Bird. I saw her play just once but she reminded me of Bird with her court presence, shot and ability to lead a team. Better size than Bird though. I think she is going to have a huge impact at the college level, and that she is underranked like Bird was due to not being a crazy athlete like several other players in this class....or maybe this class is really just that good.

I do realize that these comparisons could be completely wrong, these are just my interpretations of the evaluations and articles listed by hoopgurlz.com. I'd appreciate any feedback, especially any from Chris or Glenn or anybody else who has seen these players play on tape or in person. Thanks.

[scoutnwhoops]

I have only seen a few of the 2008 players, and after reading the articles that hoopgurlz.com has written and the evaluations made, I tried to compare the top 2008 prospects to current collegiate or pro players. I know I'll be completely wrong for a couple of these, I'm just trying to figure out if these comparisons are at all legit:
1. Elena DelleDonne-I don't think there is a player quite like her, she is one of the few players I have seen, and I think the best comparison I can make is a Sidney Spencer/Ann Strother.....but Elena is on a different level. Elena plays like these two in that she is a great shooter with lots of height but can also score in other ways, but I think Elena is going to be a step or 2(or 3) up from Spencer and Strother. For an NBA comparison, Dirk Nowitzski.

2. Ogwumike-I saw just a tiny bit of her in her State HS Championship game. I didn't get a great impression of her, other than she was extremely athletic. Based on scout.com's evaluations, the name Sophia Young immediately came to mind. A fluid athletic forward who is a great leaper.

3. April Sykes-I have not seen her play. From the evaluations, a more athletic Diana Taurasi comes to mind. Great passing ability, great shooting, uses her size to her advantage....all make me think of Taurasi.

4. Glory Johnson-Haven't seen her, everything about her game sounds like Vicki Baugh. Very good size and athletism(although her footspeed surpasses Vicki's and just about everybody elses footspeed.)

5. Jasmine Dixon-Haven't seen her play, haven't read a ton about her other than she is a great scorer and slasher.

6. Lynetta Kizer-Haven't seen play, from evaluations it seems like her game parallels Yolanda Griffith's. Good size, great rebounder and defender, physical player, all sounds like Yo.

7. Amber Gray-I'm debating buying the championship game on DVD to see Amber....her game sounds a lot like Marissa Coleman's. Not that tall at 6-0/6-1, but can play in the post and also on the perimeter. Described as "smooth" and is a very good versatile player.

8. Ayana Dunning-Smaller Jessica Davenport. Not extremely athletic but a good finisher around the basket and a good rebounder.

9. Shenise Johnson-I have not read or heard enough about her.

10. Brooklyn Pope-Based on evaluations and articles, it sounds like she is a less developed but maybe a more athletic and smaller version of Baugh.

11. Alicia Manning-Can't think of a great comparison after reading articles on her. Sounds like she sometimes has issues with consistency but has a great combination of size and skill.

12. Shekinna Stricklen-Maybe Nicole Powell as a WNBA player? Says she has a great jumpshot but not that strong of a shot inside the arc. Has good size and handle at 6-2 and is a good defensive player. Good passer(like Powell displayed in college).

13. Heather Buck-Maybe a more defensive version of Brooke Smith? High basketball IQ like Smith, but with better defense and probably not as strong offensively. Also, rebounding listed as a strength, where it wasn't one of Smith's best skills.

14. Caroline Doty-Sue Bird. I saw her play just once but she reminded me of Bird with her court presence, shot and ability to lead a team. Better size than Bird though. I think she is going to have a huge impact at the college level, and that she is underranked like Bird was due to not being a crazy athlete like several other players in this class....or maybe this class is really just that good.

I do realize that these comparisons could be completely wrong, these are just my interpretations of the evaluations and articles listed by hoopgurlz.com. I'd appreciate any feedback, especially any from Chris or Glenn or anybody else who has seen these players play on tape or in person. Thanks.

3. Not sure if Sykes has more athleticism than Taurasi but size she is definitely bigger and probably stronger built. Sykes has a smoothness about her like Taurasi.

4. Johnson is faster/quicker than Baugh and not as big and strong. They are both explosive in different ways.

5. Dixon not Johnson to me is a smaller Vicky Baugh.

10. Pope is a tough one. There may not be anyone like her.