Basketball England Aspire All-Star Tournament

This past weekend I attended my first UK youth event to scout and identify talent in over 3 years.

I had been to a few sessions/events which could be deemed as a talent eval opportunity but wasn’t the primary focus or objective. The past 3 years (if not longer) has been about transitioning back to the UK, observing, learning and understanding what is what and why. What I’ve discovered through this process is another post for another day. Here’s my quick run-down on what I saw and names that caught my attention over the weekend.

What is Basketball England Aspire National Tournament?

Summary of Play

  • Good potential on show across regional teams at guard and post positions
    • U13 bracket most promising – will be interesting to see how players develop over the next 2-3years
  • Majority of baskets scored off 1v1 play or poor defensive decisions at the individual level
    • Shoot the lane to steal ball unnecessarily, standing in wrong position, too close to offensive players
  • Principles of play within half court no existent for most games
    • Spacing, holding corners, pass cut and move, reading a drive etc.
  • Decision making on an individual and team level an area of improvement
    • When to shoot vs over-driving to basket, breaking a full court man press with 4 players in back-court, help side and 1 rotation etc.

Players That Caught My Attention

Central (U15)

  • Zemirah Williams Gardner
  • Ginevra Mensio

Central (U13)

  • Adrianna Williams
  • Maria Ruffin
  • Amelia Rile
  • Khloe Myrva Maganga Nzikou
  • Jamelia Gordon
  • Anaya-Rose Vassel
  • Kenisha Okolie Onyemaechi

London (U15)

  • Ene Adepoju
  • Sofia Abeleda
  • Namirah Bishop
  • Sienna Modesto
  • Khloe Jardiel
  • Giorgia Malerba

London (U13)

  • Liaina Liu
  • Ava Fom
  • Valentina Callahan
  • Sophia Modesto
  • Mercan Gulten
  • Varvara Klimenteva
  • Shaleen Chinyerere

South (U15)

  • Natalie Lawicka 
  • Gabriella Fakokunde

South (U13)

  • Rose Sumner
  • Laurissa Homawoo
  • Meredith Parker
  • Arabella James

North (U15)

  • Nico Fidler 
  • Tze Nam Tang
  • Zoe Odeyinde
  • Megan Kay

North (U13)

  • Gabrielle Carabana
  • Mollie Spence
  • Lisa Okanlawo
  • Uma DAvanzo

Scotland (U15)

  • Jessica Gibson
  • Jessica Johnson
  • Ruby Cruickshanks

Wales (U15)

  • Hannah Leake