MLK Jr. Classic Hosted by Winston Salem Christian School (NC)

Top Available 2021 Players - MLK Jr. Classic Hosted by Winston Salem Christian School (NC)

For the 2nd year in a row I attended the MLK Classic hosted by Head Coach: Delaney Rudd and the Lady Lions of Winston Salem Christian School. This year's event lasted 3 days and was attended by many of the top players and programs on the east coast. I will be talking about the players I witnessed on the games played Monday January 18th in this article.

• 2021 - 6’0” - Forward - Ornella Niankan - Winston Salem Christian (NC) - Scored 14 Points vs DC Cadets - Versatile forward that can put the ball on the floor and attack the rim, showed great form and release on her jumpshot, can guard multiple positions including guards on the perimeter. 1 of the top available players in North Carolina.

• 2021 - 5’5” - Guard - Diamond Thomas - Carolina Prep (NC) - Scored 15 Points including the game winner in Double Overtime to beat a good Empower Prep (DC) team - Smooth ball handler that can fill it up from beyond the arc, skilled and gets down on the defensive side of the floor. Diamond is a scoring Point guard with vision and ability to finish at the rim.

• 2021 - 5’7” - Guard - Nahndi Smith - Asheville Christian (NC) - Led her team with 13 Points in a 50 - 35 Loss to New Horizons Prep (GA) Outstanding perimeter defender that is an under that radar prospect in North Carolina. Knocked down 2 - 3Ptrs early and stayed aggressive throughout the game, Great frame and body control through contact. This young lady is going to find her way onto the court at the Mid-Major Division 1 Level in my opinion.

• 2021 - 5’10” - Guard - Jada Shears - New Horizons Prep (GA) - Smooth combo guard that is an outstanding perimeter defender and showed off great shot form in knocking down a 3-Ptr early in the game.  I am familiar with Jada from her time at Hickory Ridge HS in North Carolina, she has fine tuned her ball handling ability and should be a real nice addition to a collegiate roster next year.

• 2021 - 5’6” - Guard - Jersey Mayfield - Empower Prep Academy (DC) - Scored 9 Points on 3 - 3-Ptrs - I was very impressed with this young lady throughout her performance in a double overtime game, she tied the game during regulation on a 3-Ptr that was effortless.  Jersey displayed a calm demeanor throughout the game and helped her team comeback from a 8 point Halftime deficit, she is a strong ball handler and active defender.

• 2021 - 5’10” - Guard - Caroline Condra - Asheville Christian (NC) - Versatile player that can play the 1 - 4 positions on the court, very good athlete that can get physical when attacking the rim or playing against bigger players on the defensive side. Scored 8 Points in the game including 2 - 3Ptrs, her ability to attack the rim from all three levels is something that college coaches will be able to utilize at the next level.

• 2021 - 5’10” - Forward - Bradyn Griffin - Carolina Prep (NC) - Scored 24 Points in a 52 - 50 Double Overtime Victory, she made some big shots and kept her team in the lead throughout the game. Displays an outstanding ability to catch and shoot from multiple spots on the floor and also used her ball handling to get to the rim and finish in traffic. Bradyn showed a toughness that is going to help her at the next level.

• 2021 - 6’0” - Forward - Farrah Duvall - Empower Prep Academy (DC) - Athletic, versatile forward that was able to add inside scoring to balance the outside shooting the team provided in a 52 - 50 Double Overtime loss. Great footwork and mobility that will make her an asset to her collegiate program, has the ability to attack the rim from the short corner and elbow and finish in traffic.