Per usual, there was a lot of talent in the gym at this year’s Shes Ballin Showcase, but what’s new? According to Ray Caldwell, there was more heat than ever before. I definitely agree, both sessions were jammed packed with talent. I am extremely confident that we saw potential All-Americans in both the MS and HS sessions. Not only was the talent on another level, some of the best evaluators in the country were in the gym, dropping gems, and taking notes on some of the best talent the southwest region has to offer.

One the best 2023 players in the country, if not the best, Sammie Wagner (SA Finest) was no surprise to any of us at this year’s event. The conversation on the sideline was whether she is more Bre Stewart or Lauren Cox, can’t lose with either of those comparisons. The 6’1 8th grader continues to stretch her game out to the perimeter with her playmaking ability for others, while also showcasing her improved pull-up from 18ft. Another 2023 out of San Antonio, Layla Conley put on a show as well. An athletic playmaking guard that will be playing with the San Antonio Lady Hoops this summer. Layla had kids on skates all morning with her tight handle, making things easy for her teammates during the 5-on-5 session, drawing help and making reads. Zeryhia-Lee Aokuso , another 2023, who plays for West Texas powerhouse Lubbock Nitro, had every evaluators attention as well. Her size, skill, and poise allowed her to stand-out from start to finish. She was definitely one of the best players in the morning session.

Making the trip from Waco was 2024 SuperGirls guard Kiyleah Parr. Kiyleah DIFFERENT. She’s tough, shifty, plays both ends, and has a real feel for this game that we love. I can vividly remember her checking time & score on several occasions during the 5-on-5 segment of the showcase, something we can’t get collegiate point guards to do at times. Another 2024 that caught my eye was AD Elite guard Kemah Shaw. Kemah came to a camp at Texas State when I was an assistant there, it was good to see that she has continued to develop her game. She knocked down several open shots at the event, and played with great effort and intensity.

Lastly, the baby of the camp, 2025 LA Sneed.  The baby play like a grown-up. She put on a playmaking clinic. This kid has “French Fries” (MCAA) written all over her, as my man Jason Key likes to say. LA is one of the most dynamic kids I have ever seen at this point in her career. I don’t even think the word explosive fits her, she’s more than that. Catch her on the UA circuit this summer with Texas Flight Elite.

With that being said, one thing I can promise all who are reading this article is that the future of women’s basketball is in good shape. If this weekend in San Antonio is any indication of the talent pool across the country, the game is in really good hands for sure.

Be on the lookout for the HS Session recap later this week.

Per usual, there was a lot of talent in the gym at this year’s Shes Ballin Showcase, but what’s new? According to Ray Caldwell, there was more heat than ever before. I definitely agree, both sessions were jammed packed with talent. I am extremely confident that we saw potential All-Americans in both the MS and HS sessions. Not only was the talent on another level, some of the best evaluators in the country were in the gym, dropping gems, and taking notes on some of the best talent the southwest region has to offer.

Right out the gate 2020 guard Deja Kelly was on another level. I’ve said it before, and I will say it again, if I had a daughter I would want her to play the game the way this kid does. I don’t think anyone in the state of Texas values two-points more than this kid, which is how you score 2K points midway through your junior szn. She scored all afternoon, from everywhere, on everybody. Her backcourt mate this summer, Myra Gordon, showcased well also. The 6’0 combo guard is one of the most undervalued players in the class. Her size and skill was on full display as she made effortless plays from the paint to the perimeter all afternoon. Check them both out on the Nike circuit this summer playing with Lady Drive Nation 17U EYBL.

2020 wing Sahara Jones was special as well. This kid gets wherever she wants on the offensive end. Her length, skill, and athleticism makes her a big problem for opposing defenders. Find her at the basket this summer with SA Finest Cee Lou. Speaking of Cee Lou, Lanay Wheaton, 2020 combo guard who recently moved to Texas from Arkansas was probably the breakout kid of the camp. She scored from everywhere in a variety of ways, but off the bounce, she’s a problem. A grown woman on the floor.

2020 guard Jakoriah Long had us evaluators mesmerized with her speed & quickness. She sped by defenders, under control, and got wherever she wanted to go, whenever she wanted to go. I can’t wait to see more of this kid this summer playing for the 2020 Supergirls. Another 2020 kid that filled it up all afternoon was Sierra Dickson. Sierra is a fearless scorer. I wrote shot-maker next to her name because that is what she did every time I put my eyes on her, make shots. Sierra will be getting buckets with AD Elite this summer.  Texas Flight Elite guard Zaya Price was a bucket during the showcase as well. She has improved her handle, which has allowed her to improve her ability to score at each level. She also shot the ball really well, I’m excited to see her on the UA circuit this summer.

Moving on to the class of 2021, point forward Asia Broughton used her size and strength to create easy baskets for herself and her teammates. She is relentless in the paint, and her guard skills create serious match-up problems for the defense. She will be on the UA circuit with Texas Flight Elite this summer. AD Elite guard Sierra Brooks was fun to watch as well. I remember her putting on a show for the last two years at the annual Shes Ballin Blueprint. One thing I love to see is good players get better. Sierra is a good player who continues to get better, which speaks volumes on her investment in development. Last but not least, Lady Drive Nation combo guard Jasmine Shavers showed why she is, and will continue to be one of the most highly recruited kids in her class. Jasmine has a deep bag of tricks which allows her to affect the game in so many ways, effortlessly.

The babies of the afternoon session, class of 2022, were really good as well. 2022 point guard Breanna Davis continues to show improvement in her diverse skill set, making plays, and making shots. She is one that I have no doubt will continue to improve with experience and reps. The skill and desire is there, and in my experience the other things come naturally when those two qualities are present. She will play for Lady  Drive Nation EYBL 16U this summer. SA Finest Mirez wing Carleigh Wenzel had a really good showing as well. This kids ability to pull-up off the bounce from 15-18ft is a sight to see. She is also a very tough competitor with a very high ceiling. And 2022 guard R’Mani Taylor was one of my favorites, regardless of class. Tight handle, confident shot-maker, explosive at the rim … this kid was fun to watch all afternoon. I didn’t realize she was only a freshman until the 5-on-5 session. I am really excited to see her on the UA circuit with Texas Flight Elite this summer as well.

As you can see, the event was loaded. I wish I could say something about every kid that I enjoyed watching but I would never finish. Check out the list of names below for some other players who caught my attention during the afternoon session.

SHES BALLIN SHOWCASE HONERABLE MENTION

2020

2021

2022

Again, one thing I can promise all who are reading this article is that the future of women’s basketball is in good shape. If this weekend in San Antonio is any indication of the talent pool across the country, the game is in really good hands for sure.