Evaluation 2: Athletic big girl, Natasha had a nice flash and turn around jumper in the 3-on-3 portion of the camp.

Evaluation 3: Against the Monarchs, Natasha’s teammates seemed to be ignoring her. On Thursday, however, she established herself on defense by hustling to bat a Shock pass away. Later, she called for the ball and hit from the lane once she received the pass. If I had been grading the players, however, I’d have to give Williams an "Incomplete".

#62 Khadijah Wittington, 6'0, Portsmouth (Woodrow Wilson) VA (2004) PHOTO
Can jump out of the gym, Khadijah competed well against larger players.

#63 Amber Harris, 6'5, Indianapolis (North Central) IN (2006) PHOTO
Evaluation 1: If you looked on the court and someone told you there was a sophomore-to-be on the floor, you would likely be able to point out Amber Harris. She does many things well, but needs the kind of polish two more years of experience will give. Rebounds and positions around the boards, but still needs to develop that instinct that will place her closer to where the ball will come off the rim. Two years ago I saw her nearly dunk at Blue Star. Once she starts college weights, she should be able to reach that level. Looked the best from short range. She did hit a last second three, although she was not square to the basket when she shot it.

Evaluation 2: Amber was one of the youngest players in camp, and also easily one of the most exciting. She is amazingly athletic for anyone, let alone someone 6'5. On one occasion she was walking from one court to another and casually hopped up and hung from the rim of a basket. After watching two straight days of girl's basketball, its easy to think that you've lost it when the 6'5 player drives the length of the court and sets up the 5'6 shooter, but Amber did this on at least two occasions. Amber had more trouble competing against stronger posts beneath the basket, and will need to add some muscle before she can dominate in this area of play. She already has the speed and savvy to defend down low, however, and smacked several blocked shots into the stands. Should be on every Boiler fan's 2006 wish list.

#64 Katie Dierdorf, 6'0, St. Louis (Visitation Academy) MO (2004)
The one word that comes to mind when thinking of Katie Dierdorf is speed. Katie beat the other players down the court every single time. She ran like a gazelle every second she was on the court, and never seemed to tire or slow down a bit. Most of her points were made when one of her teammates found her all alone on the break before anyone had time to catch up. As one might expect from something this quick, she was a good defender who could shut off penetration. Katie had more trouble being effective in the half court, and would settle for outside shots on some occasions. Katie easily makes my all-potential team.

#65 Kelly Lam, 6'2, Brookfield (Brookfield East) WI (2004) PHOTO
Kelly was the post player who played largest for her size. Her excellent post-up positioning makes her a very large, attractive target for guards, and she had the foot work that allowed her to get to the hole. Kelly made good decisions with the ball and had the vision and passing ability to find open cutters rather than force shots up against double teams. In many ways reminiscent of Ruth Riley.

#70 Nkolika (Nikki) Anosike, 6'3, Staten Island (St. Peter's) NY (2004) PHOTO
Nikki uses her body well to compete on the low block and would scrap for every rebound and loose ball. Even nicer to see is that she knew what to do with the rock once she got it and could finish. She was also effective in the open court and handled the ball quite well including the ability to hit some high/low passes from the top of the key. Reminiscent of Brittany Hunter.

#71 Candace Parker, 6'3, Naperville (Naperville Central) IL (2004)
Was at camp but did not play due to torn ACL.

#72 Lindsey Pluimer, 6'3, San Clemente (San Clemente) CA (2004) PHOTO
Evaluation 1: Can't go wrong with this developed and versatile player. An athletic forward who can play the 3, 4 or 5 positions. Has the range to play small forward, but lacks a little explosiveness you need there. Her ideal positions are power forward and center as she plays equally well facing or with her back to the basket. At power forward she is strong enough to back people down into the post, but requires the defense to defend her beyond the perimeter. She has a great, squared perimeter shot, hitting two consecutively in the early game on Thursday. Practicing her jump shot on another court between games, Lindsey proves to be very consistent in the 15 to 20 range. Her play deep under the basket was also accomplished. Pivots without traveling (a problem some post players here will have when they come under the whistle of a college official), rebounds and boxes out. Saw her working to set several motionless high post picks to get the guards open. Wins the gym rat award for staying after most games to work on her shot on empty courts.

Evaluation 2: Effective scorer who was automatic from 17 ft. on in. Could either hit a jumper or put the ball on the deck and drive the lane. Lindsey always hustled and could fly down the court.

#75 Antelia Parrish, 6'0, Clinton (Bishop McNamara) MD (2004) PHOTO
Although Antelia didn’t really distinguish herself Wednesday, she did demonstrate three-point range and defensive attentiveness against the Monarchs. On Thursday, she was much more active. One minute, she was "skying" for a rebound. A few seconds later, she ducked under a couple of defenders and took it to the rack. Although she missed the shot, she didn’t seem to lose any confidence. The next time Parrish got the ball in what she deemed scoring position, she zeroed in on the hoop and converted.

#76 Sylvia Fowles, 6'5, Miami (Miami Edison) FL (2004) PHOTO
Evaluation 1: If a Hollywood producer was looking for a member of Nike camp to portray a tough post player in a movie, Sylvia Fowles would win the role hands down. She's 6'5 with cut arms, a great basketball body, and an intense game face. She is primarily a defensive player at this point, as she could swat away balls and has the mobility to cut off slashers. Sylvia's offensive skills aren't quite as polished and shorter but more aggressive post players could zip in and nab rebounds in front of her. Could score when close to the basket, but inconsistent from further out.

Evaluation 2: Best post player at this year's camp. The body of a linebacker with the hands designed for basketball. Intimidating presence on defense.

#77 Natasha Humphrey, 6'3, Gainesville (Gainesville) GA (2004)
The word that best describes Natasha is smooth. She was very fluid on the court. She was equally effective getting to the basket in the low post against traffic, following her shot and scrapping for rebounds, and running the floor. She has a consistent outside shot, and would hit her outside J's when left alone on the perimeter.

#80 Caprice Smith, 6'2, Maywood (Trinity) IL (2004) PHOTO
Evaluation 1: Very strong, showed she can get the shot to the rim with a defender hanging on her arm. She is not what you would call an ideal post player, but can play it very well. Has an accurate short range shot, and hit a respectable 40-percent from the perimeter on the first day of play. After day two it was obvious she is not accurate enough from the perimeter not to follow her shot. Her post up game is solid, and she can stop opposing post players from having their way around the basket. Aggressive rebounder with a good eye for where the ball will come off (and a nice hip bump to clear the way). Versatile addition to a team, and always a threat to post up smaller players or take less mobile players outside.

Evaluation 2: Caprice didn't waste either her time or the coaches' trying to sell an outside game. Instead, she stayed close to home, and would camp out on the low block. Once established she couldn't be moved and would fight for every rebound. If that rebound was offensive, she'd be good for a put back, and generally couldn't miss from 10 feet on in. One of the better bangers in camp.

More evaluations to come!


2003 Nike Camp Scouting Reports:
PART I | PART II | PART III | PART IV | PART V | All-Camp Teams