Ladera Ranch, California Hype Her Hoops: Ice Breaker Tournament supplied some high level players from 5th-8th grade and proved that the West Coast undoubtedly has some of the best talent in the country at the youth level.
The West Coast already boast the #1 high school player in the country, Sierra Canyon’s JuJu Watkins who announced earlier this year that she will be keeping her talents on the West Coast by attending the University of Southern California (USC).
The Hype Her Hoops: Ice Breaker featured a few players that the West Coast Universities should have their eyes on and should “OFFER NOW”. Here’s four players that caught our attention.
Sydney Douglas 6’5 F 2028
Cal Storm 14U Elite
Sydney is a very interesting prospect at 6’5. She has a very good handle for her size and shoots it with consistency from the perimeter. Douglas rebounds the ball extremely well and can finish around the basket with either hand. She runs the floor well and defends the paint as she is a superior shot blocker for her age. Pac-12 Schools should be all over this kid….. There is nowhere but up for Sydney, as her mother Maylana Martin Douglas was an All-American at UCLA and spent time in the WNBA with the Minnesota Lynx. Her dad Rome Douglas was a lineman for the USC Trojans.
Tatianna Griffin 5’9 G 2028
Cal Storm 14U Elite
Baby Zion is what we call her… Tatianna is a strong physical guard that plays on the inside and outside. She’s a tremendous rebounder and shot blocker on the defensive end, and a true scorer (BUCKET) on the offensive end. Griffin without a question is the #1 player in the country in the class of 2028, with her size, strength and explosiveness at this age makes Tati a tough match-up for anyone in her class. If Tatianna grows a few more inches and continues to progress she has a chance to be great!
Jemeni Mitchell 6’1 G 2027 West Coast Premier GBL
Mitchell is a dynamic BIG GUARD with a high motor and a high skill level for her age. Jemeni is a force on both ends of the floor. Defensively she can defend a quicker smaller guard and she can also defend the post. On the offensive end Jemeni is a 3 level scorer, her ability to create off of the bounce and make plays for others is what puts her over the top. Mitchell’s upside and potential is unlimited , if she continues to work hard and keep that determination and competitive fire, then lookout.
Kaleena Smith 5’7 PG 2027
Cal Storm 14U Elite
Special K is what they call her and indeed she’s special. Kaleena is the premier PG in the country in this class and the undisputed #1 player in the country in this class. As a PG there’s not much that she can’t do… She has tremendous range from the three, gets in the paint and finishes with contact. Smith makes everyone around her better and that’s a true sign of a great PG, but what makes her spectacular is her leadership skills and her willingness to win. Special K definitely will be an impact player for years to come.
