‘A handful on offense.’ Basketball recruit from Kentucky lighting up national showcase.

Dozens of coaches from Division I programs around the nation gathered to watch Saturday’s matchup between Kentucky Premier and Philly Rise at the Nike Nationals girls’ basketball showcase.

That’s not surprising, nor is it out of the ordinary, at a circuit event of this scale, with many top-100 recruits from several classes showing out across more than 40 courts at McCormick Place convention center.

A 17U battle such as this one, with players like 2025 standout Ciara Byars (ranked No. 35 nationally in the class) and 2024 Alabama commit Chloe Spreen (No. 74) of Kentucky Premier, and 2024 talents Kennedy Umeh (No. 28) and Mikayla Blakes (No. 16) of Philly Rise going head-to-head is always going to draw a crowd.

Each of those players had parents, fans and rivals on the circuit shouting in excitement. But nobody commanded attention like Kentucky Premier’s Leah Macy, the No. 11 recruit in the class of 2025.

“The atmosphere is insane on the EYBL circuit,” the rising junior from Mercy Academy in Louisville said after her 22-point, 10-rebound performance in a 71-66 victory over Philly Rise.

It wasn’t Macy’s first eye-catching performance of the weekend. In fact, statistically speaking, Macy has been on quite a tear this summer.

After the Elite Youth Basketball League’s first session in April, Macy led all of 17U in scoring, with 20.8 points per game and tied for second in rebounding with 8.8 boards. As the summer has progressed, Macy has maintained an impressive average of 18.7 points on 57.7% shooting and 52.4% from beyond the arc, and 7.8 rebounds per game through Saturday’s action.

According to the 6-foot-2 Macy, the ability to make noise game in and game out is all about recovery and rebounding.

“Recovery is a huge part,” Macy said, laughing. “Making sure that you can stay on your feet. But in the game, I would say rebounding. Just getting the board and getting those easy points underneath. Offensively, but also rebounds defensively, keeping their second chances low. I would say that’s my biggest goal. And just, you know, coaches know that I’m versatile. So making sure that I keep my three-pointer going and get your legs under you when you’re tired.”

Kentucky Premier co-founder and 17U coach Trent Milby described Macy’s style of play as a “handful,” and believes the five-star forward will excel at the next level, too.

“She’s a player that can score various ways. She can shoot with the three, she can put it on the floor. She can post up, she’s got moves around the basket. She can pass the basketball off the dribble. I mean, she’s a handful on offense. ... I told her, ‘once you get to college and they get you in the shape they want you at, I mean the way you score the basketball, you’ll be a handful in college, too.’”

Halfway through the weekend, Macy had averaged 20.5 points and nearly 8.3 rebounds over the course of four games on the way to a 3-1 record during Nike Nationals.

Her performance has been so impressive that younger players are excited to watch her and nervous to talk to her, just as she was a few years ago with Kentucky Premier alumnae Erin Boley and Maddie Scherr.

“I’m 16, but I used to watch these girls on these big, cool courts that are surrounded by all these bleachers,” Macy said. “Like, I was the little one coming up, asking for pictures in awe during the game. So I think it’s cool that I’m the role model that people look up to now. That’s a big deal.”

Macy holds more than 25 Division I offers, including UK, Louisville, Notre Dame and Tennessee.

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