Natasha Howard's star still rising
ATLANTA -- This is the second of two looks at notable players from the National Skills Showcase, the adidas Southeastern Showcase and the Super Showcase during last weekend's NCAA-certified evaluation period.
In today's basketball recruiting climate, coaches from across the country have loosely used the words "program-changer" in describing those players worthy of such admiration. All too often the programs remain the same and the players settle in to team play or become program-changers also known as transfers. In the case of Toledo Waite (Toledo, Ohio) senior Natasha Howard the bill of program-changer fits solidly. At 6-foot-3, Howard is not developing into a perimeter player, she's redefining it. Her natural athletic instincts are so refined now that her comparisons start with another Ohio schoolyard legend by the last name of James. She possesses the combination of length and explosion around the basket that has not been in the women's game from a true perimeter player. Her outside jump shot is very consistent and her range extends to the 3-point arc. Currently rated the ESPN HoopGurlz No. 2 player, Howard could easily see that number reduced by one come the end of this her senior season. Her impact on the game could become that big.
Louisiana native Whitney Bibbins' talents were on full display over the weekend at the Skills Select National Camp. The 5-10 guard was superb in her drill work with clinician Ganon Baker and she carried that effort over to the camp games, as well. Bibbins can best be described as a scorer. She scores in a assortment of ways, including the pull-up jump shot, the 3-point shot, the catch-and-shoot and she can also get her buckets off the offensive glass. Her offensive rebounding is what separated her this weekend for the other promising wings we saw in Atlanta.
One of the most understated players in the state of Florida was at the Super Showcase this weekend -- Jerica Coley. Coley is one of the most complete guard prospects in the state and turned several heads this weekend with her play. Coley makes the toughest of shots seem routine and her demeanor on the floor is calm and collected. She led her team to one of the bracket championships during the event. She can play either of the guard positions and can score against virtually any defender. She is a clutch player with a scorer's mentality.
The Skills Select camp attracted some of the top players nationally, including recent University of Florida commit Brittany Shine, who hails from Sacramento. The buzz she created all weekend had everyone suggesting that the Gators could be primed for a perch atop the Southeastern Conference for years to come. Shine showed an uncanny knack to score. She has deep range on her jumper and can penetrate and score on the taller interior players with her explosive first step and her ability to rise to rim level with her finish. Her ability to play all three perimeter positions is what makes her most attractive at the next level. The state of California has produced several All-Americans. Shine could be the next one.
During the all-star game of the Skills Select Camp Annesah Daniels showed everyone in attendance what the combination of great footwork, great energy, strength and agility looks like on the basketball court. Those attributes made Warren Sapp an All-Pro on the football field, and those same skills should make Daniels an All-American on the basketball court. Despite being only 5-11, Daniels has unparalleled presence for someone her size. Her ability to take bigger posts off the dribble seems at times an advantage any sane coach could exploit. And her hands are as good as any NFL tight end. We are not saying that Daniels, affectionately known as Adullah, is a football player masquerading as a basketball player. But, we are suggesting that if you play against her, you better bring your pads and your A-game, because she is bringing hers -- every single time.
A smooth lefty scoring guard with the ability to beat defenders to the basket is the best description for California native Ajahlee Harvey. Harvey showed constant improvement throughout the camp and was very impressive during the Sunday morning session, when she led her team with great court presence and showed the ability to run a team and attack the basket when the opportunities presented themselves. Harvey will need to continue to develop her outside shooting, but her ability to blow by defenders will keep her in the scuttlebutt of the West Coast's top point guards in the class of 2011.
Combo guard Sydney Wallace of Duluth, Ga., made a strong statement to being the best guard in the talent-rich state of Georgia with her play over the weekend. With a very explosive and quick step to the basket, Wallace gets into the paint at the blink of an eye from the 3-point arc. She can defend with her lateral quickness and was one of the top slashers at the camp. Look for Wallace to emerge as one of the country's top playmakers following this, her junior year, at Duluth High School.
Despite taking off the Saturday evening session due to illness, Louisiana wing Tori Scott was one of the most impressive prospects overall at the camp. Her greatest strength is her speed and she has it to burn. She'll remind you a lot of University of Texas senior guard Brittainey Raven with her open-court play and her perimeter size. Scott is a hard worker and constantly puts pressure on the defense with her aggressive play. She will need to develop a more reliable jump shot from the perimeter and add strength to her slender build, but time is on her side in both these areas.
At 6-2 with a nice long and high release, Texas native Nicole Kornet has all the makings of a textbook small forward at the highest level. Kornet was one of the top shooters at the camp and also showed the ability to find openings, due primarily to her height and willingness to always look up the floor. She will need to add a little more dribble penetration to her game to keep from being labeled as a one-dimensional player. Additionally, she will need to establish a mid-post game against smaller defenders. But overall the problems she could cause with her size and shooting stroke is enough to establish her superior small forward game. Texas has produced several elite players over the years and we think Kornet will soon be added to that list.
Physically the most impressive player of the weekend's collection of talent was without a doubt Alaina Coates of South Carolina. Standing a shade over 6-3, Coates has a very mature body frame. Her strength around the basket is so imposing that most defenders retreat as soon as she has possession of the ball. She usually sheds any would-be defender before powering up to the basket. Despite being only a freshman in high school, Coates is one of the most advanced outlet passers in the game. She can often be seen tossing 60-foot passes to streaking teammates. Her lateral quickness and agility make her impossible to contain in the open court. One coach said she is better, at this point, than University of South Carolina freshman Kelsey Bone with a greater upside, as well. Did we fail to mention that she is a sprinter on her high school track team? Coates is gearing for the top spot nationally in the class of 2013.
Jessica Jackson, of Jacksonville, Ark., plays a cross between a slashing small forward and a lightning-quick, face-up power forward. Jackson made several impressive drives to the basket through the weekend that caught the eyes of observers. She is another one of those emerging 6-footers with great hand-eye coordination and the ability to step out and shoot the 3-pointer. Jackson's raw athletic ability will make her a prime target in years to come. She seems to have mastered the reverse layup off the baseline drive. She can penetrate along the baseline in either direction and is a very quick leaper. Although her ability to drive was noticed, her inability to finish those drives was also noticed. She will need to continue her development in that area to become among the elite.
One of the youngest players in the camp may have also had the most mature game. Mikayla Venson is a point guard with decision-making ability well beyond her years. Venson's play during the camp earned her a spot on the all-star team. Her ability to direct a team and score from the point position make her extremely attractive, despite her youth. The young Venson did seem to tire at times against the more physical guards, but there was no quit in this young budding star.
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Kelvin Powell is a national evaluator for ESPN HoopGurlz. A former coach and club-program director, he operates Roundball Journal, a leading prep scouting service, and is a contributing editor at SLAM Magazine, as well as a member of the McDonald's All-American and the Gatorade National and State Player of the Year Selection Committees. He can be reached at kelvin@hoopgurlz.com.
