#4040JohnLucas Under The Radar Tip Sheet
RAYVEN PATIN & TIA TOLBERT
THE WOODLANDS, Texas- What defines an “Under The Radar” player? Well it’s self-explanatory in a sense because to me it simply means a player isn’t getting noticed as much as they should be. So many times over the years, I’ve seen players who were supposed to be “the player” however after going at it with a lesser known or less publicized opponent, guess who came out on top. I get emails from all over about whom I should place on the list and I smile simply because I know there are players all everywhere that are “Under The Radar” but in order to be detected, you need someone with the right device to guide you.
The progression I saw at the John Lucas 40/40 Combine from the GPR Under The Radar players was great for me to see because it shows they’re continuing to work at being the best they can be on their way to the next level. 2016 Rachel Tapps (Cy Ranch) signed up for the event however a last minute conflict kept her away but after an outstanding club season, her mailbox has been full numerous times. All of these players can play D1 basketball, trust me and their high schools are in parenthesis
2015
Tana Driver -5’1 guard- Irving, TX (Irving Macarthur)-Pound for pound, inch for inch, there isn’t a better guard around as she can simply take over a game and also make her teammates better. She’s smart, her assist to turnover ratio is always high and she is simply a big time player who can get the job done. Don’t let the size fool you, you can’t teach heart and hers belongs in a 7’0
CORI SCHNELL
2016
Cori Schnell-5’9 guard-Plano, TX (Prince of Peace)-Schnell was up to her old tricks at “The Combine” as she simply does what she does and that’s find ways to put the ball in the basket. I mentioned to her last season that she needed to become more aggressive on both ends, well she certainly has and she held her own against some of the top players in the country
Mailee Jones-5’9 guard-San Antonio, TX (Reagan)-I wasn’t the only one impressed by Jones at “The Combine” but after my initial sighting of Jones a few months ago, I was thinking definite MID prospect. She’s relentless on both ends of the floor, great body and strength plus body control and that midrange is a killa
2017
Dannia Gonzalez-5’9 guard-Laredo, TX (John B Alexander)-I caught Gonzalez in July and I loved her size and IQ off the top and after observing certain things on both ends, I figured with her size, age and the work ethic I saw her put on the floor, she had a shot. After watching her go at it non-stop over the weekend, big things are coming for this young lady
Ariel Starks-5’9 guard-College Station, TX (A&M Consolidated)-Starks is one of the most underrated players in the loaded 2017 class in Texas. I wanted to see more aggression from her and over the season, I got it. She can score in bundles, defend baseline to baseline but she knows the game and creates well
2018
Rayven Patin-5’5 guard-Harvey, LA (Cabrini )-This young lady continues to be a joy to watch as she see simply doesn’t take plays off. I loved her court vision back in February along with her ball handling under pressure but Patin can score, off the dribble and from the outside yet one of her biggest attributes is she simply makes plays and wants the ball at crunch time
Tia Tolbert-5’8 guard-Katy, TX (Cy Springs)-Finally saw Tolbert without a sprain or allergies and to say I was pleased would be an understatement. I liked her when she was sick and figured she was a next level player somewhere but watching her at 100% told me a lot. Tolbert has that “you won’t outwork me” mentality and her ability to score multiple ways is going to be something to see over her career