Top 250 Expo Minnesota: New Names from 2020
The Prep Hoops Expo in Burnsville last weekend introduced the state of Minnesota to some new names including Nasrudin Mohamed who was so impressive he earned his way into the day end 2019/2020 All Star Game.
Jamar Gardner of Patrick Henry. Five-foot-11 guard Jamar Gardner played JV mostly as a sophomore last year with some good moments on varsity here and there. This weekend in Burnsville Jamar looked like a guy that could help the Patriots have a nice winter.
Riley Hulke of Nicollet. How did Hulke score 18-19 points per game last winter? He’s a total playmaker. Riley is an excellent passer, he knocked down several shots from the arc, and he boards strongly for a 6-foot-1 guard. Riley has the potential to be a 20/10 guy as a junior at Nicollet plus grab a lot of boards! Love the way he passes the ball plus he looks like a 39-40 percent three point shooter.
Grant Jensen of Minnewaska Area. If you are looking for a fighter at the college level (MIAC) or a sleeper of a player that could be named Class AA All State last year Grant is your guy. He completely bullied other guards and took on every challenge at the Expo. Easily one of the toughest competitors at the event a name you need to remember.
Jordan Jones of Columbia Heights. Jordan is the guy from state runner-up rotation that people forget about. He’s a five-foot-11 guard capable of handling, capable of attacking, and capable of pressuring the ball. Can he handle the much bigger role this winter? We believe so.
Mason Klett of Apple Valley. The entire rotation is up for grabs at Apple Valley this winter and a guy that could grab a spot is face-up 6-foot-5 big Mason Klett. Mason showed a nice touch when he got a good look at the rim and was able to knock down some good shots.
Charlie Neuenschwander of Hudson. Charlie scored 3-4 buckets a contest for Hudson last year as a worker off the bench and sometimes playing some starting minutes. He’s a 6-foot-3 forward on a Hudson team that should have strong expectations.
Keyshawn Payne of Roseville. Keyshawn battled his way into the rotation by the end of the year as an aggressive 6-foot-2 wing. When it comes to Coach McKenzie you have to defend and based on the way Keyshawn competed this weekend I would expect he will have a bigger role this winter.
Mateo Renta of Hudson. Renta played JV last year and some back-up spots on varsity but based on the way he was able to beat some good players to the rim we have to believe that he is a much improved guy that can help the varsity. Renta has a lot of spit to him and was fun to watch.
Austin Somerville of Prior Lake. Another big at Prior Lake? Yeah. Austin is 6-foot-7 and although you may not see him much on varsity (the Lakers are huge and have three future college basketball players up front already) you could surely hear his name with Dawson Garcia as a senior frontcourt next year.
Zach Todd of La Crescent. La Crescent is a certain sleeper team to watch in 18-19. They were six games over .500 last year and bring back top talent including the 6-foot-3 Todd who scored a dozen a game as an aggressive forward.
Nathan Willet of East Grand Forks. This right here was one of the biggest take-a-aways of the day. If we indeed have the right guy, Willet was a skilled, big guard at 6-foot-4 with some good potential. Last year for EGF he put up a dozen a contest and should spent the next two seasons being a top northern Minnesota scorer for his grade.
Evan Wieker of STMA. A 6-foot-4 forward that played JV a year ago but as an upperclassmen, if he gives his team the minutes he did this weekend Evan should have a nice varsity role.