05-30-2018, 09:55 AM
Mark Lewis from Bluestar Media has written capsules on each of the 18 finalists for the U17 team. Here is what he wrote about Stanford commits (Belibi) and recruits (Brink, Bueckers, Campbell, Fudd, Jones, Osborne):
Fran Belibi– 2019 – 6-1 – Forward – Centennial, Colorado– Stanford commit…Shaping up to be a “true” power forward…Despite being a senior still young as a player…Explosive athlete…Elevates both to score and on the boards…First step has always been strong but is applied with good reads and intent…Physical strength is beyond most with her fame…Doesn’t just rely on physical tools, strong work ethic and effort…Gets out in transition and can run with the guards…Further refinement of interior attack will come…Perimeter form is evolving but still has an occasional forward action…Defensive approach is aggressive with no reservations about mixing things up…Rebounds with authority…Still just scratching the surface
Cameron Brink– 2020 – 6-4 – Forward – Beaverton, Oregon– Added length…Build is still lean but doesn’t shy away from contact…Additional strength will be an asset in the future…Agility is on display more and more…Form and touch are there on the perimeter forcing opposing bigs to close out and become vulnerable…Creating her own looks off short drives and pull ups…Will take it baseline into traffic…Gets out quickly and makes herself an option in transition…Can post up and finish down low…Reads well on the catch and can find open options passing out…Length makes her a factor on the defensive end as does lateral footspeed for size…Again, added strength will be a plus down the road
Paige Bueckers– 2020 – 5-11 – Guard – St. Louis Park, Minnesota – One of the more consistent top performers at the trials…Makes plays off both skills and instincts…Mixes her attack between penetration and an effective pull up…Off the drive delivered some lethal interior passes as the bigs came her way…Changes direction at full speed in transition…Keeps her dribble off the hesitation exploiting defenders reactions…Slender build doesn’t inhibit her in traffic or finishing around the rim…Protects the ball going up…Active defender…Takes chances at time but sees the ball from the weakside and anticipates well…Has the natural knack and intuitive game that you can’t coach
Alli Campbell– 2020 – 6-0 – Guard – Altoona, Pennsylvania– Had some ups and downs throughout the trials but made impressive plays at the right time…Reads the floor as well as anyone…Makes herself a factor in the halfcourt as well as out on the break…Shot is right out front but the touch and release are there to make her a legitimate and proven threat on the wing…Plenty of range is there as an asset too…Showing some added size and additional strength since last summer…Attacks the rim off early entry passes in transition…Understands numbers and defensive rotations for solid shot/pass decisions…Uses that same awareness herself on the other end…Takes a good cushion on close outs against the ultra-quicks…Continues to be a contributor even if the shot is cold on occasion
Azzi Fudd– 2021 – 5-11 – Point Guard – Arlington, Virginia– Depth of her game continues to improve…Not content to let the momentum in her game or skills stagnate…Combination of size and skills makes her a challenge to defend…Pushing the ball at opportunity…Plays with an advanced understanding of the teammates she’s on the floor with…Mixed up perimeter and interior options of her own…Has shown an interest in getting to the rim more and more…Handles contact well and gets the ball off against physical opposition…Eyes are constantly surveying the floor…Talented scorer but aware and willing to give it up as better possibilities evolve…On ball defense is becoming more aggressive and containing…Taking away options and making her match-up work for everything
Haley Jones– 2019 – 6-1 – Guard/Wing – Santa Cruz, California– Another elite representative of “versatility”…Has both length and speed…Combines with a fluid athleticism making her a factor in full and halfcourt…Skills are sharp but magnified even more by an impressive understanding of what’s going on around her…Well coached…Consistent and “level” emotional approach…Not too high on positive, no overreaction to bad…Creating options off the drive as she has in the past…The pull up is second choice to the penetrate and pass…Sees the floor in transition and off the drive in the halfcourt…Crossover and hesitation look even sharper…Form and stroke are sound but base is narrow on her jumper…Calculated defensively…Anticipates one and two passes away…Shows depth in every aspect of the game
Charisma Osborne– 2019 – 5-9 – Guard – Moreno Valley, California– Played some of her best basketball…Speed is deceptive because of the “smooth” approach to her attack…Utilizes both ballskills and ball fakes to get defenders off balance and out of position…Hesitation is serving her well…First step leaves opponents scrambling to recover or calling or help…Can take it all the way to rim or is just as comfortable pulling up in mid-range…Small twist dropping the left foot on her jumper could impact consistency at times…Still knocks down her share…Strength is surprising for size…Good presence on the glass for a guard…Getting more and more physical as an assertive on ball defender…Not an “invitee” but among the elite in the trials
Fran Belibi– 2019 – 6-1 – Forward – Centennial, Colorado– Stanford commit…Shaping up to be a “true” power forward…Despite being a senior still young as a player…Explosive athlete…Elevates both to score and on the boards…First step has always been strong but is applied with good reads and intent…Physical strength is beyond most with her fame…Doesn’t just rely on physical tools, strong work ethic and effort…Gets out in transition and can run with the guards…Further refinement of interior attack will come…Perimeter form is evolving but still has an occasional forward action…Defensive approach is aggressive with no reservations about mixing things up…Rebounds with authority…Still just scratching the surface
Cameron Brink– 2020 – 6-4 – Forward – Beaverton, Oregon– Added length…Build is still lean but doesn’t shy away from contact…Additional strength will be an asset in the future…Agility is on display more and more…Form and touch are there on the perimeter forcing opposing bigs to close out and become vulnerable…Creating her own looks off short drives and pull ups…Will take it baseline into traffic…Gets out quickly and makes herself an option in transition…Can post up and finish down low…Reads well on the catch and can find open options passing out…Length makes her a factor on the defensive end as does lateral footspeed for size…Again, added strength will be a plus down the road
Paige Bueckers– 2020 – 5-11 – Guard – St. Louis Park, Minnesota – One of the more consistent top performers at the trials…Makes plays off both skills and instincts…Mixes her attack between penetration and an effective pull up…Off the drive delivered some lethal interior passes as the bigs came her way…Changes direction at full speed in transition…Keeps her dribble off the hesitation exploiting defenders reactions…Slender build doesn’t inhibit her in traffic or finishing around the rim…Protects the ball going up…Active defender…Takes chances at time but sees the ball from the weakside and anticipates well…Has the natural knack and intuitive game that you can’t coach
Alli Campbell– 2020 – 6-0 – Guard – Altoona, Pennsylvania– Had some ups and downs throughout the trials but made impressive plays at the right time…Reads the floor as well as anyone…Makes herself a factor in the halfcourt as well as out on the break…Shot is right out front but the touch and release are there to make her a legitimate and proven threat on the wing…Plenty of range is there as an asset too…Showing some added size and additional strength since last summer…Attacks the rim off early entry passes in transition…Understands numbers and defensive rotations for solid shot/pass decisions…Uses that same awareness herself on the other end…Takes a good cushion on close outs against the ultra-quicks…Continues to be a contributor even if the shot is cold on occasion
Azzi Fudd– 2021 – 5-11 – Point Guard – Arlington, Virginia– Depth of her game continues to improve…Not content to let the momentum in her game or skills stagnate…Combination of size and skills makes her a challenge to defend…Pushing the ball at opportunity…Plays with an advanced understanding of the teammates she’s on the floor with…Mixed up perimeter and interior options of her own…Has shown an interest in getting to the rim more and more…Handles contact well and gets the ball off against physical opposition…Eyes are constantly surveying the floor…Talented scorer but aware and willing to give it up as better possibilities evolve…On ball defense is becoming more aggressive and containing…Taking away options and making her match-up work for everything
Haley Jones– 2019 – 6-1 – Guard/Wing – Santa Cruz, California– Another elite representative of “versatility”…Has both length and speed…Combines with a fluid athleticism making her a factor in full and halfcourt…Skills are sharp but magnified even more by an impressive understanding of what’s going on around her…Well coached…Consistent and “level” emotional approach…Not too high on positive, no overreaction to bad…Creating options off the drive as she has in the past…The pull up is second choice to the penetrate and pass…Sees the floor in transition and off the drive in the halfcourt…Crossover and hesitation look even sharper…Form and stroke are sound but base is narrow on her jumper…Calculated defensively…Anticipates one and two passes away…Shows depth in every aspect of the game
Charisma Osborne– 2019 – 5-9 – Guard – Moreno Valley, California– Played some of her best basketball…Speed is deceptive because of the “smooth” approach to her attack…Utilizes both ballskills and ball fakes to get defenders off balance and out of position…Hesitation is serving her well…First step leaves opponents scrambling to recover or calling or help…Can take it all the way to rim or is just as comfortable pulling up in mid-range…Small twist dropping the left foot on her jumper could impact consistency at times…Still knocks down her share…Strength is surprising for size…Good presence on the glass for a guard…Getting more and more physical as an assertive on ball defender…Not an “invitee” but among the elite in the trials