Cranford, NJ - The NCAA College Basketball Academy is a prestigious event designed to give prospective men’s and women’s student-athletes a sample of the college basketball experience, and a way to enhance their skills and increase their exposure. Established to provide a structured environment where athletes can develop under the watchful eyes of college coaches and professional scouts, the Academy pairs high-level basketball competition with life skills instruction. In addition to basketball training, skill development and games, participants and their parents or chaperones attend life skills courses about NCAA eligibility and compliance; the recruiting process; name, image and likeness (NIL) opportunities; mental health, and transfer eligibility.
This year's Women's NCAA College Basketball Academy took place from July 27th - 30th at the Rock Hill Sports and Event Center in Rock Hill, South Carolina. The event gathered top-tier talent from across the nation, including three standout players from our very own Lady Owls: Yasmeen Brightwell, Gianna Miclis and Jaslin Walker.
The future looks bright for the Lady Owls, as their performances did not go unnoticed. Yasmeen Brightwell, known for her tenacity and athleticism, Gianna Miclis, a versatile Center, and Jaslin Walker, a sharp-shooting guard, all demonstrated their skills and competitive spirit in front of the ensemble of coaches from Division I, II and III colleges. All seeking to identify and recruit promising talents to their programs.
The participation of the Lady Owls at the NCAA College Basketball Academy is a testament to their hard work and dedication. It also highlights the strength of the UCNJ Women’s Basketball program in developing talented players ready to compete at higher levels. For the Lady Owls, this experience provided invaluable exposure and the opportunity to refine their skills against some of the best players in the country. All three return looking to build on this experience and aim for greater achievements in the upcoming season.
Yasmeen Brightwell, Jaslin Walker, and Gianna Miclis