Site icon

6TH ANNUAL EST MIDDLE SCHOOL COMBINE

empirestatetakeover
Advertisements
Before the 2024 class became leaders as one of New York’s best classes in recent memory, they were energetic up & comers with potential. Here, 8th grade versions of the currently graduating seniors competed at the 2019 EST Fall Futures Combine. Karissa Antoine (Fordham) elevates against Natalie Fox (William & Mary); on defense in the background is Avery Mills (Liberty).

Since its inception in 2018, the Middle School Combine quickly grew into being one of my favorite days of the year. Many of today’s high school standouts & current collegiate players at all levels have competed & introduced themselves through the only annual EST event solely dedicated to rising middle school talent. The event got its first legs in the Capital District before hitting the road to places like Scranton & Utica. It’s back in the 518 this year, and now it’s where all things Empire State Takeover started.

The 6th Annual EST Middle School Combine will be held at Union College on Friday, June 28. In order to account for schedule preferences, travel accommodations, and to create a more individually focused environment that lends well to evaluation, this will be a TWO-SESSION EVENT. Sessions run from approximately 5-7 & 7-9 PM. Time selection is athlete’s choice and registration is taken on a first-come, first-serve basis. Each session will be capped at 40 participants.

Players will receive the opportunity to compete in various outlets while also getting focused reps through individual skill development. The competition piece includes an extended stretch of 3v3 play to not only allow participants to get into a rhythm & provide a different look, but also to maximize touches & “in-game reps” for all. There will also be plenty of traditional 5v5 run, with rosters geared to be competitive for all participants. All athletes will also go through a comprehensive individual skill work session during the event. Skill sessions at EST events are always coordinated by premier skill development specialists from throughout the Northeast or college basketball coaches.

While EST high school events have become a prime opportunity to gain exposure to collegiate programs and other valuable outlets on a prospect’s journey, EST middle school events have also proven to “break” up & coming players on a greater scale. The MS Combine serves as a trusted early barometer of the extended region’s talent while providing a fun, competitive environment, and it’s a primary way to get on my radar & the radars of other evaluators throughout the Northeast. Many MS Combine participants are now standouts at the high school level, and others that have moved onto the collegiate level dot rosters at all levels from the Big 10 to the Empire 8.

There’s nothing quite like ‘event day’ to me, and the MS Combine has grown into one of my favorites. Looking forward to Year 6 back in the 518! Registration & payment links are at the top of the page, and a registered player list (updated daily, or at least as often as I can get to it) will be posted directly below. Hope to see you at Union on June 28!

Klarissa Goode, now one of NY’s premier point guards as a 2025, pushes pace as an 8th grader at the 2021 EST Middle School Combine.

REGISTERED PLAYER LIST (updated as time allows)

Exit mobile version