2024 Nike Hoop Summit Notebook: Joyce Edwards Dominates

In the second pre-college showcase of April, year 2 of the Girls' Nike Hoop Summit presented a fun opportunity to scout, gauge talent, and just a fun all around game. Team USA came back from a near 20 point deficit to take the lead in the 4th quarter and oust Team World in spite of a last ditch 3-point attempt.

Roundup and Stray Thoughts

Team World's size and length stood out and played a pivotal part in the first half as they controlled the game largely. On the offensive end, their blend of size and skill impressed as well. Both Annika Soltau (Germany, Washington commit) and Ajsa Sivka (Slovenia, uncommited) made impressive plays off the bounce. Soltau is remarkably fluid and in control for a 6'4 forward.

Sivka showed off playmaking vision along with a similar mobility. She finished with 9 points, a made 3-pointer, and 2 rebounds in 20 minutes of play. Currently playing for Familia Schio in the Italian League and Euroleague, Sivka is a player to keep an eye on for the 2025 WNBA Draft if she chooses to go that route instead of collegiate play.

Oregon commit (Luxembourg) Faith Etute also played a pivotal role for the World team, particularly down the stretch as its offense faltered. Etute's energy leapt off the screen. She was a blur in transition, frenetic defensively, and demonstrative on the glass. Etute is kind of an undersized 4 right now given where her skill set is at, but her athleticism, feel for the game, and ability to make a consistent impact will be major for the Ducks. It'll be intriguing to watch Etute continue develop, round out her game, and refine her off the dribble abilities.

I thought Avery Howell really impressed with her floor game and all around impact. Toby Fournier was overwhelming for most of Team USA's defenders, and had quite a few fluid and strong finishes in isolation and the post.

Kate Koval

When I first watched Kate Koval play around this time last year, it was evident that she was extremely talented and a gifted player. She would make an impact for wherever she landed (ultimately committing to Notre Dame). She's grown tremendously over the past year in a lot of subtle areas; that 10% growth has an immense impact on all around production. Koval is more consistently assertive, her feel for where to be, how to get there, and timing have improved. She's been more consistent in seeking out seals and establishing her position.

Those little things are incredibly important in building the foundation for a high level big.

Koval had very good moments at McDonald's but impressed as the best player on the World team last night.

The high post distribution and creation is a staple in Notre Dame's offense, something Maddy Westbeld has thrived operating out of throughout her career in South Bend. Koval shows a similar feel here, clearing out the side of the court to work two-player game out of a handoff, reading the defense, and taking the space given to nail the 3 (she hit 2 of 3 from deep).

At 6'4, she brings legitimate strength and size along with efficiency and gravity in the post that the Irish haven't had in quite some time. Yet, she can also play with that face-up style that Notre Dame loves to deploy and play out of.

A 6'4 center being able to rip through and drive like that is wildly impressive. Koval also displayed her buttery and balanced finishing with an off-hand floater through contact in the first half. She has the mobility and rim protection skills to be disruptive as a defender, though I expect there to be a learning curve coming into high level Division 1 (it's hard to be a big in a new setting!). That being said, Koval brings a verve Notre Dame doesn't have while fitting well into what they already do. She is going to be a tremendous player for the Irish throughout her career, but I also anticipate a strong immediate impact.

Jordan Lee and Kennedy Smith

It's worth noting that both Jaloni Cambridge and Sarah Strong didn't participate in last night's game, a significant reason for why the US struggled to create effective offense early in the game. 

Jordan Lee and Kennedy Smith were both immensely impactful with their two way play for the US. I've long been a fan of Smith for her ability to impact every facet of the game. She is one of the few players I've ever scouted that I've willingly labeled as being able to defend 1-5 credibly. She has a great ability to see the floor, make reads with and without the ball, and understand how to best assert herself. The off the dribble game is so tantalizing, and the way she got comfortable attacking bigger/taller opposition and using her strength to get into the paint and to the line was huge. That will be key for Smith moving forward. The self-created shot-making is so impactful and effective.

Kennedy Smith just does everything at a good level while being one of the best defenders that's come into the game of late. She is going to make waves at USC alongside JuJu Watkins and the rest of a star-studded 2025 recruiting class.

Jordan Lee, headed to Texas, didn't have the same gaudy box score numbers, but impressed with what she did from the standpoint of it being what she'll do at Texas. She was phenomenal with ball pressure and playing in the press, which the US switched to late in the game, and she played a pivotal role in forcing as many turnovers as Team USA did. Lee was also strong off the dribble and attacking the basket, including a strong drive the length of the court, hitting a smitty, and taking herself to the rim.

I can't wait to watch Lee learn from Shay Holle (returning for a fifth season).

Joyce Edwards is a Star

South Carolina signee Joyce Edwards finished with a game high 25 points along with 9 rebounds, 2 assists, and 5 steals. Edwards was 9 of 23 from the field, but I think if you're just reading the box score, this wildly undersells how impactful she was offensively. She got to the free throw line 11 times, as many of her missed field goals were due to being fouled. 

As noted earlier, not having a true point guard on the floor greatly impacted how the offense got set for Team USA. Mikayla Blakes, a very good guard headed to Vanderbilt, got into foul trouble early and saw limited court time. Point blank, the US just didn't have a consistent lead guard on the court.

That all comes together to add the layers of how dominant Edwards was in this game.

Edwards' base is so low to the ground in spite of her size, which makes her such a difficult player to guard. She has the tightness of handle and compactness in her drive game to take bigger players off the dribble with ease. She has the strength and base to score over smaller opponents and back them down into the rim. She uses angles well to establish position and get to the rim. She made multiple good reads out of double teams she drew. She hit a few jumpers from mid-range and has the room to keep expanding that facet of her game.

My favorite aspect of her offensive game is her touch on the ball. She is adept using her length to secure the ball, attacking the basket with extension finishes: The closer you are to the basket when you release the ball, the more efficient you likely are to be (there are of course exceptions to the rule). Edwards is incredibly aggressive in her rips, post moves, and off the dribble attacks, but blends that seamlessly with the deftness as a finisher. It is rare to pair that force and gentleness, part of what I feel makes her such a potent scorer.

Edwards' commitment to the defensive end last night was what was most special.

As mentioned prior with the guard play, the US was struggling mightily to create easy offense. That was jumpstarted by the intensity Edwards infused defensively, as multiple players across the roster stood up and elevated their games as well with defensive pressure.

It felt like a "we are not losing this game" moment, and that was so awesome to watch unfold. Both Edwards and Smith are top notch competitors, and it was impressive watching that resolve.

It's easy to see how Edwards fits into South Carolina's system and schemes, but also the team ethos. She'll be an instant contributor for the Gamecocks, and it's wild to think about what that frontcourt rotation will look like for Dawn Staley next season. Yes, Kamilla Cardoso will be gone, but Ashlyn Watkins, Chloe Kitts, and Sania Feagin are all back with another off-season of growing their games. This group will be smaller without Cardoso, but the versatility they'll bring to both ends with Edwards in the mix as well will be quite difficult to matchup with for anyone on the schedule next season, let alone in SEC play.