First of all, thank you all for your love, support, and patience. My site has been down since June, and my IT staff has worked hard to get it back up and running. It is a pleasure to be able to deliver news from the women’s basketball world. The best part of bringing the site back up is starting off with articles from one of my favorite events in the Fresh Faces/Myles McGowan Coaches Classic powered by Gems In The Gym.
August is one of my favorite times of the year since I am able to escape the heat of Arizona and visit my second hoops home in the Bay Area. It has been an annual gathering to see some of my brothers and sisters in hoops to include Kameo Williams, Sorden Davis, Sal Velasquez, Uncle Harold Abend, and Juju Alexander. Besides being able to spend time with family, I am able to observe some of the best up and coming talent in the incoming Freshmen Class. Here are some of the talented 2028 prospects who caught my attention.
Sofia Barrientos 5’5 Guard Reardon (CA)
A tough three level scorer who plays physical and aggressive. Barrientos impressed me with her offensive capability especially since she is versatile enough to play both guard positions. She defends, facilitates, and scores. A tremendous hard nosed guard with tremendous upside.
Lovelei Best 5’6 Point Guard Tualatin (OR)
Best is an elite floor general who uses her high basketball IQ to put her teammates into scoring position. Besides being a facilitator, she is also a scorer when her team needs her to contribute. She is definitely one of my favorite floor generals of the entire weekend.
Koko Beasley 5’9 Guard Benson (OR)
Beasley is a long, ultra athletic guard with an explosive first step. Her explosiveness and quickness allows her to penetrate the defense and get to the rim. She also utilizes her athletic abilities to be a solid defender by getting deflections and steals.
Kendall Dawkins 6’0 Forward Tualatin (OR)
Dawkins is a big guard who will definitely get a lot of attention due to her size and ability. She is a high major hybrid who is quick enough to match up on the perimeter and tough enough to hold down the paint if needed. I like her potential and upside.
Kennedi Gaines 5’3 Guard Bartlett (AK)
Gaines is a crafty guard who plays fearlessly. She utilizes her explosive and quick first step to get to the rim and bedazzled me with her finishing ability. Another big time prospect out of the 49th state.
Lulu Giometti 5’7 Guard St. Ignatius (CA)
Giometti displayed her microwave ability to heat up and hit some big time shots. The shooter has impressive range and if left open will make opposing defenses pay by knocking down those shots especially in clutch/crucial moments. I expect her to have a solid freshmen campaign this winter.
Brielle Gray 5’7 Guard East Ridge (MN)
Gray is a solid slashing guard with tight handles. She loves to attack the rim to finish or distribute to open teammates. Gray will be a sought after prospect over time with continued development and I love her potential and upside.
Serenity Hampton 6’0 Wing Ironwood Ridge (AZ)
Hampton is an athletic specimen who continues to improve. She is a strong wing who can defend all five positions if needed. Hampton loves contact and looks to attack her opponents on the offensive end to finish through contact and earn trips to the charity stripe. I expect her stock to rise with continued development.
Maliya Hunter 6’0 Guard Mitty (CA)
Hunter is a big guard with great skills and athletic ability. A playmaker who looks to contribute on both ends of the floor. I liked her ability to finish around the rim. I expect her to be a solid contributor to one of the top high school teams in the country in Archbishop Mitty.
Isira Jablonski-Bell 6’1 Guard Jesuit (OR)
Jabolonski-Bell has a platform which translates to the next level. The long guard utilizes her length to defend, and she can knock down the long ball. I like her potential and upside and with continued development of her guard skills will help elevate her recruiting stock.
Amy Nduka 6’4 Forward Eastside Catholic (WA)
Nduka has the size, strength, athleticism, and toughness to be a big time prospect. She displayed her versatility to play both in the paint and on the perimeter. An impact player, her performance every time she set foot on the floor left a lasting impression which earned her the 2028 Fresh Faces MVP award. I expect her to be a highly sought after high major prospect.
Talithkoum “Princess” Poialii-Hunkin 6’0 Wing Santiago (CA)
Poialii-Hunkin is one of my favorite prospects originally from Hawaii. Her relocation to California will help her stock and exposure. A downhill wing prospect who thrives in finishing at the rim, she has improved her perimeter shooting from the last time I saw her. Another key attribute is her pursuit of cleaning the glass for rebounds even if she is playing on the perimeter. Her intangibles make her such a prospect that colleges will desire. College coaches start investing now.
Andrea Porreca 5’7 Guard Kamehameha-Kapalama (HI)
Porreca is another big time guard prospect who has the ability to play both guard positions. She has a tight handle, facilitates, and finishes around the rim. I love her ability to step up to compete on both ends of the floor. With continued development, Porreca has a bright future.
Tess Rhude 6’3 Wing Notre Dame Prep (AZ)
Rhude’s stock continues to climb as she has the platform and potential to be one of the best to ever come out of Arizona. Standing at 6’3, she is a matchup nightmare for opponents as she has the skills and ability to play inside and on the perimeter. I like her ability to not only finish inside but her mid and long range shooting. A high major prospect with tremendous upside.
RyLynn Ruffin 6’2 Wing Boise (ID) Ruffin’s game grew on me throughout the event. She executes the fine details to help her team compete in games. Her athletic ability allows her to play the wing and with continued development she will be one of the most sought after prospects out of Idaho. College coaches take note as she has a high ceiling.
