Proving Grounds: Early Weekend Standouts (Part II)
Julian Holland, 6’1 PG (Next Generation Elite) — 2020
Holland is a slick and unwittingly flashy point guard who torched Twin Cities Elite for 30 points in a Platinum Bracket first-round game. He did so as a sophomore playing up a level in 17U. He’s quick enough to blow-by his defender and has the ball on a string, however vision and passing are probably his best strength. He canned three 3s in my viewing of him, too. A Home schooled guy, his recruitment is probably slower than it should be. Holland — from Oswego, Illinois — told me Grand Valley State and Northern Illinois have reached out.
Jaxon Gunville, 5’11 G (North Dakota Attack) — 2020
An absolute sharpshooter, this Minot (ND) guard was showcasing one of the finer outside strokes we saw on Saturday, and if he’s missing — which was seldom — it wasn’t by much. He was putting the ball on the deck and attacking the rim adeptly after the opponent identified him as a sniper.
Chance Danner, 6’5 PF (North Dakota Attack) — 2020
Big and strong but with plenty of finesse, Danner is a guy that can be a bruiser in the paint or step out and hit a 3-ball. The Thompson (ND) product has some seriously soft touch, and scored 13 points to help North Dakota attack upend Rip City 16U on Saturday morning.
Keegan Kohorst, 6′ G (Iowa Prep Red) — 2020
A big and bruising guard, Kohorst is the rare player these days who almost never settles for the 3-ball. His first instinct is almost always to attack the hoop and find a teammate. Seldom will he take an ill-advised shot. With his size and build, he’s able to get to the rim and absorb contact well. He’ll take on a much larger role at Mount Pleasant as a junior next season.
Cam House, 5’8 G (Minnesota Select-Koch) — 2020
A sniper with a beautiful stroke from beyond the arc, this Eagan sophomore was lighting it up in a win over Iowa Prep on Saturday afternoon. His three first half 3s set the tone, and the four total he hit in that game were more than anyone else. But he was also showcasing some nifty handles and passing. House is small, but very skilled.
Joshua Albers, 6’4 SG (Minnesota Heat-Nelson) — 2019
This tall and rangy wing was showcasing his ability to hit the deep ball when he canned four of them — three during a short second half burst — to help his team pummel Universal Athletics Academy in the Platinum Bracket first-round. He scored 14 points that game, and was adeptly attacking the rim at times when the opponent was closing out on him more aggressively. He’s one in a slew of intriguing prospects on this Minnesota Heat-Nelson unit.
Gilmore Taiber, 6’5 F (Iowa Prep Black) — 2020
Cedar Falls won a 4A state title last season, and it looks as though they’ll be a program that’s going to reload rather than rebuild for years to come. Taiber is a sophomore now, but could see some valuable varsity minutes next season. A tall and long forward, he was flashing some nifty footwork in the paint, and getting off clean looks at the rim as a result. He’s got a smooth stroke from the free-throw line, too, a good indicator of his skill level.
Hunter Damon, 6′ PG (Minnesota Heat-Nelson) — 2019
Another Minnesota Heat-Nelson prospect that shined on Saturday afternoon, Damon is a gritty guard with a high motor who has a knack for getting tough buckets. A strong and active guard who can shoot it, too. The Forest Lake junior scored 14 first half points during his team’s shellacking of Universal Athletics Academy.