GPS basketball standout Chadarryl Clay earned praise this past week in Kelvin Powell’s “HoopGurlz” story on ESPN.com. Powell spotlighted top performers in AAU girls’ national tournaments at Orlando, Fla., and Clay was one of only two on his “2012 checklist.”
She starred for the 15-under Georgia Elite, who lost a national semifinal after time expired.
“Had it not been for a foul call with no time left on the clock that sent Wisconsin Hoops Select guard Morgan Bansik to the line to convert game-winning free throws, Clay could have easily been named the most outstanding player of the 15U division of this year’s championship,” Powell wrote.
He described that game as “one of the most enjoyable” of this year’s AAU event – “mainly because of the exploits of Clay, a 5-7 point guard from Chattanooga. Her vision is what separates her from most point guards in the class. She is unafraid to attempt the difficult pass. …
“We will go out on a limb and call her the most unique distributor of the basketball in the class of 2012, capable of creating passing angles that very few can imagine, much less execute. She can also score and has a very high basketball IQ. One of those rare players that make everyone better and always plays under control. Defensively, she was spotted taking charges on much bigger players throughout the tournament.”
Clay averaged 17.2 points, 5.4 assists and 3.1 steals last season as a sophomore for GPS. She was a first-team Best of Preps all-city selection.