Grand Rapids, MI-Day 3 was about consistency. These standouts impressed with their ability to embrace their roles and impact the game on both ends of the floor. Whether they were knocking down shots, making timely reads, defending with energy, or doing the little things that help teams win, each player showed a strong sense of purpose and poise.
Player Spotlight- Violet Schmidt
Making her Jr. WNBA debut, Violet Schmidt steadily gained confidence throughout camp, peaking with a strong performance on Day 3. She embraced her role and stayed shot-ready, consistently getting her feet set and keeping her hands prepared on reversals and swing passes. As her jumper started to fall, her activity level picked up on both ends. Defensively, she competed with more urgency, and offensively, she brought a steady presence that helped space the floor and keep the ball moving.
Player Spotlight-Joslyn Ivy
In her Jr. WNBA debut, Joslyn Ivy brought a physical presence to the floor that set the tone. She rebounded strong with two hands, carved out space, and capitalized on second-chance opportunities with confident putbacks. Her touch around the rim stood out, showing she could finish through traffic without rushing. Beyond the box score, Joslyn’s impact was felt through her positive voice and natural leadership. She encouraged teammates, stayed engaged, and competed with consistent energy on both ends.
Player Spotlight-Drew Knox
Making his Jr. WNBA debut, Drew Knox built early momentum in camp and elevated his play as the week progressed. He impressed with his catch-and-shoot mechanics and showed composure in pick-and-pop actions, consistently knocking down shots in rhythm. As a screener in ball screen sets, he made smart reads, slipping when defenders overcommitted and diving hard when the switch was late. Knox attacked the rim with physicality, often playing off two feet and embracing contact at the point of finish. Defensively, his shot-blocking stood out. He timed contests well, rotated with purpose, and protected the paint without overcommitting.
Player Spotlight-Kirk Nash III
Now in his third Jr. NBA season and a two-time camp champion, Nash facilitated offense by collapsing the defense and delivering precise kick-outs and drop-offs. His feel in the paint was impressive, knowing when to pause, shift pace, and manipulate help defenders. At times, he dictated the entire tempo of games, keeping teammates organized and in rhythm. On the defensive end, Nash set the tone. He picked up full court, pressured the ball without gambling, and forced the offense to speed up.
Player Spotlight-Donell Jones III
In his Jr. NBA debut, Donell Jones III proved to be a major factor in his team’s success by doing the dirty work and delivering when it mattered most. He rebounded in traffic, sprinted the lanes in transition, and finished with control. In open floor scenarios, he initiated the break and consistently made the right reads, hitting cutters and exploiting mismatches before the defense could recover. Beyond the fundamentals, Jones came through in big moments, including a a game-winner and an 80-foot buzzer beater that capped off one of the most memorable stretches of the day.
Player Spotlight-Jack Radle
In his Jr. NBA debut, Jack Radle stood out from opening tip to the final buzzer, he competed with grit, defending on-ball with discipline and holding his ground against drives. Off the ball, he was dialed in as a help defender, tagging cutters, sitting in gaps, and rotating on time. Offensively, Rado spaced the floor with purpose, keeping driving lanes open and moving without the ball to maintain rhythm within his team’s half-court flow. His ability to do the little things—consistently and with effort—made him one of the most reliable players on the floor.
Player Spotlight-Makhai Calvert
A three-time Jr. NBA participant and camp champion, Makhai Calvert brought a composed edge to his typically aggressive style. Known for attacking downhill, Calvert showed more patience in his reads, slowing the game down without losing his scoring instinct. He picked his spots well, staying under control on drives and finishing through contact. In the open floor, he created mismatches by pushing in transition, forcing bigger defenders to retreat while smaller ones couldn’t match his physicality. Defensively, he was active on the glass, securing rebounds that led to early offense.
Player Spotlight-Carmelo Melton
A two-time Jr. NBA participant and former All-Star, Carmelo Melton played with the kind of defensive awareness that directly translates to winning. He showed a strong feel for off-ball positioning, reading the flight of the ball, rotating early, and making timely contests without overreaching. Melton rebounded with intent, using both timing and physicality to secure possessions. His understanding of how to follow the ball on drives, on skips, and off the glass, led to multiple stops that shifted momentum. He anchored his team with pride on the defensive end.
Player Spotlight-I’zais Vaughn
In his second Jr. NBA appearance, I’zais Vaughn showed versatility across multiple phases of the game. He chased down loose balls, ran the floor in transition, and took on secondary ball-handling duties when needed, bringing the ball up and organizing his team in half-court sets. What stood out was his composure; he played with improved pace, didn’t rush decisions, and stayed under control in live-ball moments. His ability to impact the game without forcing action, combined with a steady level of confidence, made him a reliable presence in his unit’s overall rhythm.
Player Spotlight: Jack Hamlin
Making his Jr. NBA debut, Jack Hamlin delivered a steady impact on both ends of the floor. His shooting mechanics were clean, and he knocked down shots confidently off the catch. Around the rim, he showed strength and balance, finishing through contact with composure. Defensively, Hamlin brought grit, staying engaged, contesting shots, and showing toughness in on-ball matchups.
