Molly Corcoran
Grace Lanier of Brooklyn, New York, gets reps during the Spotlights of the Brandon Clay Training Academy in Boston. *Anthony Lugardo.
BOSTON - The BrandonClayScouting.com National Training Academy partnered with Sean “Sticks” Smith to bring a unique training atmosphere to the Northeast region. Our favorite part of the Academy is working with campers during our Spotlight Session Workout. Here are the takeaways from the session:
Class of 2022 wing Kayla Lezama of Hyde Park, Massachusetts, is getting better each time we work with her. She was impressive in this seting last year and again last July in Chicago. The future Boston College Eagle has a unique blend of natural ability coupled with work ethic. Her follow through was both crisp and tall here throughout the session.
Class of 2023 guard Shayne Burton of Hubberston, Massachusetts, is showing real growth since our session in Austin, Texas earlier in the year. Burton has the tools to be a consistent shot maker off the catch or off the bounce. Right now, slowing down a half step will be essential to her game as she hones in on those very shot making skills.
Class of 2025 guard Grace Lanier of Brooklyn, New York, has grown leaps and bounds since our first evaluation 18 months ago. As Lanier grows and matures, her confidence shooting the basketball is blossoming too. Look for her to work on snapping her right wrist through the shot time after time.
Class of 2025 guard Emma Olausson of New Haven, Connecticut, has been training with our National Director of Skill Development, Sean “Sticks” Smith, quite a bit this summer and it showed up over the weekend. Olausson’s length and shooting form leave a ton of positive upside for her game the next four years. She’s a willing shooter and listener who excels with her feet squared under her shoulders into her shot.
Class of 2026 forward Makena Bailey of Lancaster, Massachusetts, has the length, commitment level and look of a player two to three years her senior. Bailey’s shot showed legitimate progress in just an hour. Her footwork has plenty of upside to keep getting more comfortable as a spot up shooter. If Bailey does that and ensures a wrist snap on every shot, the sky is the limit.
Molly Corcoran of Medford, Massachusetts, put herself on my radar in this same setting in 2020. The Class of 2026 Guard has the size and strength through her shoulders to be a high level shot maker. When her follow through is locked in and she does not fade at the end of her jumper, Corcoran has a chance to be a shooter’s shooter in due time.
One of the youngest campers in the building, class of 2027 guard Gabby Middleton of Stoughton, Massachusetts showed the touch good shooters all seem to possess. Her mechanics were noticeably crisper 30 minutes into the workout. Middleton will need to work her raising her shooting pocket.
Brandon Clay serves as the Director of Scouting for ProspectsNation.com and owns The BrandonClayScouting.com Evaluation Report, which is read by more than 200 colleges and universities nationwide. He also serves as the Executive Skills Director for the Brandon Clay Scouting Academy Series.
