The Best of YDF

[glenn]

We rank the top third of the players in Colorado Springs:

http://hoopgurlz.com/story/best-ydf

[txbasketball24]

A quote about Nneka that seems to be a oxymoron says "she wasn't as dominant as usual on offense", yet she was the events' leader scorer?!?!?!?!

Sorry but I had to ask. On another note; are you guys going to give analysis on the others, that were not mentioned, that attended the YDF?

[hoopfan24]

We rank the top third of the players in Colorado Springs:

http://hoopgurlz.com/story/best-ydf

Great story - loved reading about those talented kids...

[txbasketball24]

are you guys going to give analysis on the others, that were not mentioned, that attended the YDF?


"analysis" and "rank" are two different things.......jeez!

[deanjet]

Thanks for all your hard work.

I'm excited Shekinna was mentioned as one of the top players, but I was surprised with her low fg%. She's usually very efficient on the offensive end. I was shocked she only made one 3-pt field goal.

[glenn]

Deanjet, that is why we tend to ignore statistics. There are kids who make shots but are not shooters and others who obviously are shooters but didn't happen to make shots during a particular viewing. Shekinna falls into the latter category, plus we've seen her have unbelievable shooting performances in the past. As noted, she has one of the smoothest jumpers we've seen.

[glenn]

txbasketball24, it's not an oxymoron. She got much of her offense off the offensive glass. She was not a vacuum cleaner of entry passes, nor was she able to create much offense. Plus she got most of her points in two games - one against Brazil, which in my mind doesn't count. Again, this is why stats usually mean little!

[bballfanatic]

oh say it isnt so glenn, how could you leave the entertainer off the list?

[txbasketball24]

No problem, Glenn. Was it because of Nneka being double or triple teamed or just great individual defense?

[scoutnwhoops]

She wasn't being double or triple teamed. It was a case of adjusting to the style of play. She's used to having sets run for her, like all the posts here, but that wasn't the case in this setting.

[txbasketball24]

You're right about the sets. Hopefully playing against the best will round her game to do either. Thanks for the info.

[BrooklynSaints]

Yes, I'm surprised that Prahalis was left out. Also was anyone asked why Shenise Johnson was left off of the YDF list ?

[sim111]

txbasketball24, it's not an oxymoron. She got much of her offense off the offensive glass. She was not a vacuum cleaner of entry passes, nor was she able to create much offense. Plus she got most of her points in two games - one against Brazil, which in my mind doesn't count. Again, this is why stats usually mean little!


Hey Glen, I don't need another Houstonian pissing you off, that's my job.:D

[sim111]

You're right about the sets. Hopefully playing against the best will round her game to do either. Thanks for the info.


Buddy trust me, it's another level and this why I say what I say about Griner. People get all excited because the kids can dunk and I compare that to me going and hit 7 shots in a row on Marvin. Does that mean I can shoot, no it means I am just scoring on someone who can't play D, but who will find a way to cheat and win, but that's another story. Griner is 6'7 so is dunking really that big of a deal? Nneka will be okay, as will Griner but going against the top kids at their respective positions is what it's all about because in college, at least where they are going, you fgot to bring it just about every night.

[BrooklynSaints]

Buddy trust me, it's another level and this why I say what I say about Griner. People get all excited because the kids can dunk and I compare that to me going and hit 7 shots in a row on Marvin. Does that mean I can shoot, no it means I am just scoring on someone who can't play D, but who will find a way to cheat and win, but that's another story. Griner is 6'7 so is dunking really that big of a deal? Nneka will be okay, as will Griner but going against the top kids at their respective positions is what it's all about because in college, at least where they are going, you fgot to bring it just about every night.

If we were talking boys, I would say thats dunking is not a big deal. For girls even at 6'7" dunking is unusual. Has anyone confirmed that Griner is actually 6'7"?

[sim111]

If we were talking boys, I would say thats dunking is not a big deal. For girls even at 6'7" dunking is unusual. Has anyone confirmed that Griner is actually 6'7"?


I disagree with that statement and heres why. When I played ball, there were not alot of guys 6'3 or 6'4 who could dunk and then the Spud Webb, 5'7, yeah right, phenom happened. Now it is common to see guys under 5'10 dunking at will. I doubt if Griner is 6'7 but this kid has a helluva wingspan and truly she is not getting that high off the floor. Again, she has unlimited potential and if she was dunking on Nneka or on Bone, then I would say OMG. Our team is playing in the Hotshot tournament and hopefully we will meet in the finals. I will keep you posted.

[BrooklynSaints]

I disagree with that statement and heres why. When I played ball, there were not alot of guys 6'3 or 6'4 who could dunk and then the Spud Webb, 5'7, yeah right, phenom happened. Now it is common to see guys under 5'10 dunking at will. I doubt if Griner is 6'7 but this kid has a helluva wingspan and truly she is not getting that high off the floor. Again, she has unlimited potential and if she was dunking on Nneka or on Bone, then I would say OMG. Our team is playing in the Hotshot tournament and hopefully we will meet in the finals. I will keep you posted.

Well in the 60s and 70s high school kids were dunking in Brooklyn.
Its true that few in the Pros dunked at that time. I think thats because Blacks were new to the sport. The Black player only came into the NBA in the 50s. It took a while for the Black player to establish himself and to add something to the game.

[glenn]

I think dunking in girl's basketball is a novelty. Few girls can do it, so it is indeed impressive. But I have yet to see a girl who can do it consistently, with authority, in game situations. Therefore, it is not really a weapon.

[BrooklynSaints]

I think dunking in girl's basketball is a novelty. Few girls can do it, so it is indeed impressive. But I have yet to see a girl who can do it consistently, with authority, in game situations. Therefore, it is not really a weapon.

I think we are a generation away before that happens. I'm looking for a girls 6'0" tall who can jump like Lorin Dixon.

Is there any other name you can think of where you could say if only this girl was taller she would be the ONE?

[YourCrimsonNightmare]

I think dunking in girl's basketball is a novelty. Few girls can do it, so it is indeed impressive. But I have yet to see a girl who can do it consistently, with authority, in game situations. Therefore, it is not really a weapon.

I bet Griner will be able to do it. I can't believe how easy she makes both one- and two-handed dunks look. Her father says she was recently measured at 6'7-1/2, and that she'll still in her growth spurt. He expects her to be playing college ball at 6'10 or 6'11.

Since she was a point guard before she shot up, she has pretty solid ball skills for a player so tall. TGCA 5A all-state as a sophomore, so there's more than just hype here.

[BrooklynSaints]

Have you seen her dunk on any players. How did she play against the top big girls in Texas?

[raindevil]

Is there any other name you can think of where you could say if only this girl was taller she would be the ONE?

Well, I don't know about the one, but Jasmine Thomas measured a 32" vertical, and she's only 5'9". Give her a few inches, and I imagine she'd make some noise.

[YourCrimsonNightmare]

Have you seen her dunk on any players. How did she play against the top big girls in Texas?

I can't say how she did against the top big girls in Texas, but she was a 5A all-state player at Nimitz as a sophomore after playing organized ball for only two years, and Texas is stacked with D-I prospects right now. Having seen her athleticism on video, I don't doubt that she could go over the top and dunk on most players if she chose to do so. Size 17 shoes and an 80 inch wingspan, with length and athleticism is a pretty tough combo to beat.

[BrooklynSaints]

What does 5A player mean ? Is Brooklyn Pope and other top rated girls in the 5A?

[BrooklynSaints]

Also , why was she left off the USA YDF? At 6'7" that alot to forget

[YourCrimsonNightmare]

Also , why was she left off the USA YDF? At 6'7" that alot to forget

She's only been playing organized ball for two years - NOW. Everybody at YDF had a resume already, years in the game. 18 months ago she was a tall point guard. I think you give too much credit to the instant visibility of potential prodigies. She'll be playing in one or two visible events this summer, so people will have a chance to evaluate her. USA Basketball doesn't take fliers on players just on rumored possible talent.

I'm allowed to do so. I'm just glad that she isn't playing for Baylor for a couple of years.