The Run 4 The Roses Classic took place this past weekend, and I did my best to watch and evaluate as many players as I could. Here is a look at some of the talented players in the 2024 class that I was able to get my eyes on:
Mattie Walburn – G – Dayton Metro NE2K
Mattie is a dynamic scoring guard who gets it done in a variety of ways. She is strong and poised with the ball in her hands, and makes smart decisions with it, even when faced with significant defensive pressure. I see a ton of upside in Walburn’s game.
Aniya Eberhart – G – Philly Rise National NE2K
Aniya brings great size to the guard spot. She utilizes her 5-foot-10 frame to overpower defenders. Possessing the elite ability to put the ball on the deck and get downhill, Aniya is very difficult to stay in front of. Very crafty around the rim, she has a variety of different ways she can score. Intriguing prospect.
Lauren Kraft – W – Philly Rise National NE2K
Kraft is always moving on offense. She is an excellent cutter without the ball, diving hard to the rim to score through contact. Comes off of screens with intention, looking to create for her team. Excellent defender and rebounder.
Samara Gibson – G – Dayton Metro NE2K
Samara is an excellent lead guard who does a great job of making plays for her team. She always knows exactly where all her teammates are going to be, and gets them the ball in situations that they can make plays out of. She can also score the ball herself at a high level, getting it done in an efficient manner.
Chenoa Moss – F – SMAC Attack E40
Chenoa dominates on the interior. Defensively, she does a great job of holding her ground and fighting for position on the inside. She is a tough rebounder who goes after every rebound with two hands. Moss lives on the offensive glass, often securing the board and putting it back up through physicality.
Ameia Smith – F – SMAC Attack E40
Smith is an absolute force around the rim. She is an elite shot blocker who uses her length and athleticism to bother opponents at the bucket without fouling. She has a sound offensive game, and she has the ability to score through contact at the rim. I see a ton of upside in Ameia’s game.
Jayla Johnson – G – Below The Rim GUAA
A shifty combo guard, Jayla utilizes a quick first step to get downhill and make plays in the lane for her team. She plays with a ton of poise when the ball is in her hands, and makes great decisions with the rock. With the ability to both score and distribute at a high level, her dynamic offensive game forces the defense to remain honest.
Wesleigh Ferguson – G – Below The Rim GUAA
A big guard who brings great length and athleticism to her position, Wesleigh is a handful for opposing teams to match up with. Excellent in transition, she pushes the pace and runs her lane well in order to set up early scoring opportunities for her team. She can score the ball both inside and out, and is a very stout defender.
AbbiGrace Cunningham – W – Below The Rim GUAA
An elite scoring wing who is consistently making plays for her team, AbbiGrace is a player that you always want on the floor to help your team win tight ball games. She has great length and athleticism, which allows her to match up with multiple positions on the defensive end, where she plays with a ton of pride. She rebounds the ball very hard on both ends, and is efficient in her scoring.
Mia Brown – G – Oklahoma Ice
Brown is a crafty guard who uses her speed to her advantage. She creates very well for herself and teammates off the bounce, and uses her vision to see the floor well and set up teammates up with picture perfect dimes. She rebounds the ball tenaciously from the guard spot, and is always doing the little things to help her team win.
Janae Gomes – G – Boston Showstoppers
Janae is excellent on the defensive end of the floor. She gets low and moves her feet quickly to pester ball handlers. She is a very solid shot blocker at her position, and she is always looking to get her hands on the ball to generate turnovers and turn them into transition opportunities for her team. As she continues to expand her offensive game, I expect her to be a player that we hear a lot from in the coming years.
Riley Milausnic – G – Always 100 VTR
Riley is a true three level scorer. She is a consistent threat from the perimeter, and if left open, she will knock it down. Doesn’t require much time or space to be able to let it fly either. If she gets run off of her line, she does a nice job of putting the ball on the deck and getting all the way to the rim, where she shows that she can finish with either hand.
Tierney Kelsey – G – Mavs Elite GUAA
A high level point guard who creates shots off the bounce for herself and others at a high level, Tierney is very difficult to stay in front of, due to her quick handle and elite first step. She can score the ball from all three levels, and makes everybody around her better. Defensively, she is a menace when defending the ball, turning ball handlers multiple times to generate turnovers more often than not.
Yari Desper – G – 1Life1Shot
Yari is a talented combo guard who has the ability to play both guard spots, and can slide to the wing when asked of her. She is strong with the ball, and attacks downhill with intention. She uses her body well to draw contact, and is able to score through it to earn extra opportunities at the line. High level guard who is only getting better.
Jadyn Forbes – G – 1Life1Shot
Jadyn is excellent in transition. She pushes the pace with the ball in her hands and is able to run her lane and get to her spot to set up early scoring opportunities. She may be a little undersized at the guard spot, but she does not play like it. Using a great sense of physicality, she asserts her will early and often, setting the tone for the rest of the game.
Kaison Ward – F – Arctic Rush
Possessing the ability to score the ball inside and out, Ward’s dynamic offensive ability makes her quite difficult for opponents to match up with. Being able to stretch the floor to the perimeter as a forward has become more common, and Kaison does it to perfection. She is also a very strong rebounder and defender who uses her body well to knock defenders off their line and create space.
Ava Maner – G – Shock-Diaz
Ava is a talented lead guard who brings a level of consistency each time out that is very difficult to come by. She marks everybody around her better, as she is an efficient scorer who also distributes the ball around to her teammates at a high level. Her game is continuing to grow, and I expect Ava Maner to be a name that we hear from for a while.
Kristen Whited – G – Arctic Rush
Kristen is a true three level scorer who also has the ability to throw on-time, on-target passes to set her teammates up for high quality scoring opportunities. Her offensive game is so dynamic, which makes her a handful for her opponents. I like the upside in her game.
Manuela Piljevic – G – AUSA Australia Team Megan
A big guard, Manuela uses her size to impose her will on her opponents. She can score over the top of smaller players, and when she gets matched up with a bigger defender, she can make them look silly with her quick first step and tight handle. She can score the ball in bunches, and gets hot in a hurry.
Hayden Snodgrass – G – SWE Tyler S40
Hayden contributes in a wide variety of ways when she is on the floor. She is a high energy guard who competes very hard at both ends of the floor. She is the first to the floor for loose balls, fights hard for every rebound, distributes and scores at a high level, and plays with a ton of fire.
Katelyn Stechschulte – W – 419 Select
Katelyn is the ultimate offensive weapon. She scores, assists, crashes the o-boards. Her dynamic game makes her very difficult to match up with, as she is always finding new ways to hurt the defense. Defensively, she shuts down multiple positions, and uses her strength in big ways.
Olivia Mangas – G – 419 Select
An excellent rebounder at her position, Mangas crashes the glass hard, and is always in constant pursuit of the ball. Her distribution abilities are always locked in, and she is a very gifted scorer as well.
Abbigail Jannuzi – G – Strick Hoops
A three level scorer, Abbigail gets it done in a variety of ways. She knocks down perimeter shots, operates with efficiency in the mid-range, and can score at the rim through contact. She sees the floor well and makes smart decisions.
Jocelynn Thorn – G – 740 Thunder-Black
Jocelynn is a talented shooter who can put points on the board in a hurry. She does not need much time or space to be able to let it fly, and she is very efficient in her scoring. An elite defender as well, she uses her size and length to pester her opponents.
Addie Fudge – G – Kansas Khaos
Addie has the ability to play both guard spots, and she does so at a very high level. The Anderson County High School guard is an excellent distributor, always knowing where her teammates are going to be and setting them up with beautiful passes. She has the ability to score the ball with consistency as well.
Savanah Horton – W – Arizona Elite Gold
A talented wing who impacts the game in a variety of ways, Savanah is always finding ways to contribute for her team. She is a steady offensive player who is efficient in her scoring. She finds open teammates and crashes the glass hard on both ends of the floor. Tough player who plays with a sense of urgency and physicality.
Izzy Kurka – F – SMAC Shock
Izzy is a versatile forward who impacts the game in a variety of ways. She is a very good defender who moves her feet well and uses her length to block and alter many shots around the bucket. Even blocked a jumper too, showing off her great timing. Offensively, she finishes well around the cup, and embraces contact in doing so.
Norah Miller – G – DistinXion C.H.A.M.P.I.O.N.S Black
Norah is a solid guard whose potential has not even scratched the surface of her potential. She can effortlessly reach her mid-range jumper with little room needed to get her shot off. Tough nosed guard whose craftiness allows her to finish through contact at the rim. High IQ guard who is incredibly adaptable and versatile that will be a steal for any college.
Katelyn St. Clair – G – Alabama Southern Starz Veal E40
Katelyn is a gifted shooter with an unlimited range who can easily light it up. It seems like she is more consistent the farther she shoots. Takes very little time to release her shot, but if under a lot of pressure, she can get downhill and finish at the rim. Possesses a high IQ while being a dangerous shooter makes her a tough defensive assignment.
Caitlin Mullen – G – Long Island Renegades Amenta
A shifty two-guard, Caitlin has the ability to play both guard spots, and doesn’t miss a beat when going back and forth between the two. She scores at all three levels, and is always taking efficient shots. An intense and energetic defender, she is always keeping her hands active, looking to get steals and deflections.
Josie Wray – W – XGEN Elite Select
A dynamic wing, Josie is excellent in transition. She can either push the pace with the ball in her hands, or run her lane and get directly to the rim. With the ability to score the ball from all three levels of the floor, Josie’s offensive game keeps the defense honest on each possession. She utilizes her length to get her hands on the ball defensively.
Allison Spieker – G – Kentucky Ice Navy
Allison is a reliable scoring option for her team. She gets it done off the bounce and off the catch, and is very efficient in doing so. When she gets into the lane, she has great patience and footwork, and is able to create a shot for either herself or teammates consistently. She is a fiery competitor at both ends of the floor, and is always looking to make the next winning play.
Skyler Smith – G – Lone Star Magic E40
Skyler is a talented scorer who gets it done from all three levels. She is efficient in the mid-range, knocks down perimeter shots, and is crafty in her finishes around the rim. Strong when attacking downhill, Skyler uses her body well to shield off defenders to score through contact.
Alexis Lucero – G – HG Elite
Alexis is a consistent threat from the perimeter. If she is left open, you may as well chalk three points onto the board for her team. Defensively, she is always active. She gets her hands in passing lanes, pokes the ball from ball handlers, and is a tenacious rebounder. She is always in pursuit of the ball.
Pearson McVay – F – Team Texas National
Pearson is a dominant interior player who imposes her will on her defenders. She is a tenacious rebounder at both ends, and uses her body well in order to clear out space to corral the ball. She is mobile in transition, and does a nice job of rim running and looking to create early scoring opportunities for her team. Defensively, she holds her ground well, and fights hard for every loose ball.
Khouri White – G – Texas Flight
A hard-nosed guard, White is a high IQ player who makes everybody around her better. She sees the floor very well, and sets her teammates up with on-time and on-target passes. As a scorer, she has the ability to create for herself at all three levels with consistency. Tough defender as well.
Savannah Fellenbaum – W – Michigan Mystics Finest S40
Bringing a long, athletic, 6-foot frame to the wing spot, Savannah makes winning plays on both ends of the floor. She pursues the boards with tenacity at both ends, scores the ball in a variety of ways, sets up her teammates well, and is a multidimensional defender who can match up with multiple positions, and shut them down at a high level.
