Atlanta National Girls Skill Select Exposure Event – Queen City Hoops Report
Posted by Ganon Baker at 8:59 am
Real Talent and Real Development at the SKILLS SELECT – NATIONAL
Presented by
Ganon Baker Basketball
Real is the first word that comes to mind when I think of the value of this camp. Real instruction by one of the realest and most gifted basketball trainers in the world . Really talented athletes competing to be the best. Real drills that can be applied to game play. Real opinions, real attitude, real intensity, and a real supporting staff that really works hard to make the experience a good one for each player. WNBA veteran Ivory Latta, of the Tulsa Shock, stopped through to check out some of the fresh new talent
Even with talent galore in the building, there were still a few girls who really demanded the spotlight.
Mykayla Venson ( 2014 Arlington, VA) is truly maturing into one of the most exciting, dominant point guards in the country. Some kids look good in drills some kids are just gamers. Venson is a combination of both. In the first Saturday session, she looked as if she trained with Ganon Baker every day like it was her job. Impressive is an understatement when trying to describe how well she handles two balls at a time. She looks even better when she is drilling with a tennis ball. Venson was at her best when she was able to put it all on display during the full court games. The young guard broke down defenders with a mean knee buckling cross-over, shot long contested three pointers, and showed she could control the pace of games. It looked almost effortless for the top 5 pg in the 2014 class. When its all said and done she may be arguably the best point guard in the class.
Ronni Williams (2013 Orlando, FL) May be the best slasher in the country. If she’s not, she just looked like it that weekend. Versatility is usually one of the first things coaches look for and are impressed with. Williams is definitely versatile but she is also talented, 6’2, skilled, and relentless. Her consistent ability to get in the paint and to the rim was mouth dropping. Her game is already beyond her years. At 6’2 she is able to thread through traffic and break down defenders with her dribble like she is a 5’5 point guard. The best part is she plays like she is 6’4. Though she didn’t have to show it often, Williams even stepped outside a few times and knocked down a few long jumpers. One on one this girl is special. When a player can be as effective as she is without forcing anything, the recipe for success is a great one.
Gabby Bellivard (2013 Bishop, GA) seems to get better and better every time she plays. Listed at 6’2. Bellivard looks a lot closer to 6’4. The fundamentally sound forward is just pure good. Bellivard is talented enough that she could be a big wing or nice sized post player. Either way she is good enough she would make an impact no matter where you put her on the floor. Her soft shooting touch is pure and very pretty. Bellivard had a great shooting weekend inside and out.
Te’a Cooper UNC commit ( 2015 Powder Springs, GA) is already making a tremendous impact on the basketball world. Before we talk about her talent on the offensive end, it would be unfair not to mention the three on ball steals she had in a row in one of her games to go along with many more through out the camp. This kid is simply impressive on any level. Blessed with a great body its only fitting that she have a pretty high skill set to compliment. As a rising freshman, Cooper’s ability to control game tempo and run an offense is clearly a sign she is pretty well polished already. Finishing with both hands in the lane with some very nice runners and pull up jumpers further more proved this kid will be able to do it all. Again she is only a freshman but played like a rising senior against some of the top players in America.
Kuaneshia Baker (2012 Gretna, LA) is clearly one of the most athletic guards in the nation. The speed of the 5’10 wing enables her to blow pass defenders in transition and elevate over any and everybody in front of her to finish. At times Baker seemed frustrated with the instructions given to her by her camp coach but it didn’t look to effect her game play at all. Baker was not scared to get in the paint and utilize her tremendous leaping ability to rebound with bigger players before exploding out of traffic to start a few very impressive fast breaks. Baker is gifted and she knows it.
Shannon Cranshaw (2013 Ormond Beach , FL) doesn’t look like the type of kid you would worry about hurting you on the court but as we all know looks are very deceiving. The 5’9 Florida guard was eye catching during drills. The emphasis on detail during each and every drill she participated in was incredible. Cranshaw consistently did the little things that every coach loves. Communication, low hips good form and excellent footwork were just a few things that stood out. Once game play started, Cranshaw quickly established herself as team leader and was very vocal with her teammates. There was nothing fancy about her game but there was a lot of quality points that stood out in her game. If you don’t know who she is you will. 5’9 fundamentally sound combo guards are hard to find. Yes she can shoot too!
The list could go on and on! The energy was great. The atmosphere was perfect and the girls were definitely a joy to watch. QCHR commends Ganon Baker & staff on a job well done!
-Queens City Hoops Report
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