ATL SummerSlam
Girls Analysis

ATL SummerSlam: 2023 Top Performers

Kendall Emener6-1 F Kendall Emener – Georgia Dream Team ’23 – First Presbyterian Day
It was my first-time watching reigning Class A-Private Region 1 Player of the Year Kendall Emener play. After a sluggish start, Emener helped take over down the stretch in a 49-44 win over the Excel Celtics. Emener is a big body. She’s strong in the paint and will fight for position on post ups. She has good hands, able to catch lobs and corral rebounds. Kendall has some stretch capabilities, able to occasionally play on the wing and shoot the three, but she looked her best as a banger inside. Emener finished with 9 points, 10 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal and 1 block. College coaches will want to track Kendall over her final two seasons. I could see her drawing serious D-II attention.

Lexi Pierce5-5 PG Lexi Pierce – EOTO Black – Lumpkin County
When Lexi Pierce gets hot, she can completely take over a game. She had her three-point shot locked and loaded in a heartbreaking loss to EAB Gold, draining 5 threes as she finished with 17 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 5 steals and 2 blocks. Aside from Pierce’s ability to set up the offense and score off ball rotations, her defensive pressure sets her apart. Pierce plays with great effort, taking away air space and forcing turnovers. Though she’s not the tallest or most athletic guard on the floor, she often plays with the biggest heart, willing to take on any challenge. Pierce’s stock continues to rise. D-II and D-III programs will want to get involved.

6-0 W Mattie Nuckolls – TN Flight Trotters Haworth – Murray County
After loving her Hudl tape, I knew I had to check out Mattie Nuckolls in person. Playing on a very talented and deep TN Flight Trotters team, everyone shares the ball and gets to score within the flow of the offense. Nuckolls fits in well as a versatile combo-forward that can positively influence games whether scoring or not. Mattie can score with either hand inside. She’s has length with a sturdy build and quality mobility. She seems to always be involved in rebounding opportunities and competes well in the paint. In my first look, Nuckolls was active around the rim, drawing fouls left and right. In a 45-39 championship win over Atlanta Cagers BlueChip Myers, Mattie finished with 6 points, 6 rebounds and 1 assist. Nuckolls has soft hands and can attack off the dribble from the perimeter. I still need to see more of her, but I think Nuckolls has a chance to be a steady stock riser over her final two seasons.

Eghosa Obasuyi5-5 CG Eghosa Obasuyi – Porter Sports – Carrollton
Eghosa Obasuyi is a dead-eye shooter. She has a great compact stroke that is automatic when given space. She buried 4 threes en route to 15 points, 2 assists and 4 steals against Midwest United. Much like older sister Kehinde, Eghosa has speed and low center of gravity which keeps her on balance. While she will need to get more reps at point guard in order to prepare for college, Obasuyi has a lot of skill packed into her small frame.