Evaluation

Derby Classic-July 09: By now people know the name Ariel Massengale. She is ranked No. 5 in the ESPN HoopGurlz Terrific 25 and continues to get better. Without her sidekick Morgan Tuck in the paint (ACL injury), she has more scoring responsibility while being the focal point of the opposing defense. Where she shines is her basketball IQ -- she knows what the defense is doing and how to counter it. Some may knock her size but she is a big game player and the top point guard in the class.

USJN Cincy-July 09: Illinois Dream Team, Bolingbrook High School and USA Basketball 5-6 point guard Ariel Massengale inherited a little more burden to carry for the summer when teammate Morgan Tuck tore her ACL at the USA U16 try outs last month. As she has with every challenge, she stepped up and showed why she's one of the top point guards nationwide. On a team with virtually no inside game, she kept her teammates in transition and distributed the ball effectively with some impressive decision making. Her willingness to attack and ability to force opponents to rotate are the kind of things that set her apart from the crowd. Her shot is still there and lethal as ever, but seems secondary to creating the best look for her team on every possession.

USA U16 Trials-May 09: It didn't take long for Ariel Massengale of Bolingbrook, Ill., to assert herself as a leader on the court. She had the confidence to step in and be the point guard her team needed from the first tip. There were taller, quicker and faster players vying for point guard roster spots, but the 5-6 prospect was the most consistent and steady player of all. She passed the ball well in transition, ran her team, defended, and, perhaps most importantly, she shot the ball from 3-point range consistently. For a player that looks up to Renee Montgomery, she has some similar attributes early in her career.

Braggin Rights Jan. 09: Bolingbrook's Ariel Massengale may well be setting the standard for point guards in the 2011 class. The maturity of her game and the aggressive approach to every play are paying dividends for her and her Lady Raider teammates. The 5-7 floor leader is a threat every time she touches the ball and has the range to force defenses out of its comfort zone. An incredible first step gets her by opponents and opens up options that she fully takes advantage of. Her vocal leadership seems to be something that she's more and more comfortable with and that's a valuable asset to such a young and talented team.

TOC Dec. 08: College coaches may have trouble waiting on this one. Solid, strong and quick, she can create aggressively in transition or within an offensive set. Her 3-point range forces defenses to extend and she can knock down the true jumper off the dribble from 15 feet or more. More impressive is the attacking mentality to she brings to the floor. She creates both shots and passes that lead to big numbers on the Bolingbrook side of the scoreboard.

Fearless with the ball and has the ability to score after contact.

Notes

No notes available at this time.