Ten Juniors Ready To Break Out This Spring
As the high school season came to a close last weekend, we begin our transition into the AAU season. As players get set for a few months filled with tournament action, we at Prep Hoops give you ten 2020 players…
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Continue ReadingAs the high school season came to a close last weekend, we begin our transition into the AAU season. As players get set for a few months filled with tournament action, we at Prep Hoops give you ten 2020 players who we see elevating their stocks this spring.
Detavius Frierson (6’5 W, Howard Pulley)- Detavius makes the jump into EYBL competition with Howard Pulley this spring after a breakout junior season at Park Center that saw him average 13 points a contest for a two loss team. At this point Detavius is known as one of, if not the most athletic players in the state, with the ability to elevate and finish above the rim with authority. That raw ability has garnered him attention from numerous Division One schools, and if he can show an improved skill set and the ability to compete against high level talent on the Nike Circuit, don’t be surprised if some of those schools start to offer.
Nathan Heise (6’3 G, MN Fury)- Nathan put the state on notice of his sharpshooting this winter, helping lead Lake City to the state tournament behind his 22 ppg. After impressing at the state tournament, Nathan has drawn two offers from D2 schools, and could see that number skyrocket this spring as he’ll compete with the always tough MN Fury program. At 6’3 he has the length to play either guard spot at the next level, and his deep range combined with the ability to slash to the rim makes him a constant threat on offense.
J’Vonne Hadley (6’6 SG, Howard Pulley)- Poise, length, and scoring ability. Those three things come to mind when thinking about J’Vonne Hadley and the 28 points a night he scored this season. After bursting onto the scene this year, J’Vonne Hadley enters into the Howard Pulley program ready to prove himself against top notch competition this spring. Already holding offers from Colorado State and South Dakota, Hadley enters the AAU season looking like a player who could start receiving high major looks and offers. J’Vonne plays the game in a way that makes it look like he sees the floor on slow motion, never rushing his game and making every shot look smooth and effortless. As a 6’6 guard, J’vonne can pull-up off the dribble, attack the hoop with his athleticism and length, and defend nearly every position on the court.
Steven Crowl (6’10 F, D1 MN)- Steven Crowl is another player who has been garnering a lot of Division One interest, and is ready to turn that interest into offers this spring. Crowl transitions over to the D1 Minnesota program, a team that competes on the Adidas Gauntlet and could be among the best 17u teams in the country this year. At 6’10 Steven moves very well and has a soft touch with both hands that allowed him to score roughly 20 a night for Eastview. Still a somewhat raw talent, Steven can score in the post, run the floor, and is developing an outside game that could see him become a highly recruited big throughout the Midwest.
Lincoln Meister (6’8 F, D1 MN Prospects)- Playing alongside Matthew Hurt this season, Lincoln excelled in his role as a secondary scoring option, putting up 11.8 ppg and 6.8 rpg as a junior. At 6’8 Lincoln moves well, and has shown some explosiveness around the rim to get up and finish over defenders. Playing outside of the metro area Lincoln doesn’t receive a lot of coverage, but he could be one of the biggest sleepers in the class, who has the potential to pick up a lot of college interest this spring if his skill-set catches up to his physical abilities.
Andrew Irvin (5’10 PG)- Division 3 schools interested in checking out a point guard who can run an offense efficiently and defend at a high level? Look no further than Andrew Irvin of DeLaSalle High School. The 5’10 junior transitioned into a starting role on varsity after playing JV last season, and averaged 4 ppg while taking on the role of guarding opposing teams’ top guards every night. Irvin won’t deliver any high scoring performances or highlight plays, but he does all of the little things that don’t show up on the box score. He has become recognized as one of the top on-ball defenders in Minnesota, and it’s only a matter of time before he puts his defensive ability on display in front of college coaches this spring.
Gabe Madsen (6’5 G, Wisconsin Playground Warriors)- Though he already holds multiple Division One offers and is ranked top ten in the state, this could be the spring that Gabe Madsen starts bringing in high major offers. He averaged nearly 24 ppg and showed off a skill-set that makes him one of the deadliest half-court scoring threats in the state. He continues to impress with his ability to create his own shot, and makes tough jumpers look effortless. A long 6’5 guard with good athleticism and bounce, Madsen could see a huge boost in his stock as a prospect this AAU season.
Amari Carter (6’5 SF, Howard Pulley)- Amari made the jump into Cretin-Derham Hall’s starting lineup this season, and was an instant contributor in all areas on the floor. He averaged 13 ppg and 5 rpg to help keep CDH a state ranked team for most of the season. After growing a few inches since last AAU season, Amari has become a threat to finish above the rim and is a competitor for every defensive rebound. Though not a dominant three point shooter, Amari has proven to be able to knock down shots from outside when given space. A player with his length and athleticism is intriguing for college coaches, and Amari could see his stock rise this spring.
Ariel Bland (6’6 F, Minnesota Select)- After returning to Minnesota after going to school in South Carolina, Ariel worked his way into the Eden Prairie starting five, and gave them 9.6 points a contest. Ariel is a very long and wiry forward who at this point still remains a raw prospect. He can jump out of the gym, and that bounce combined with his length makes him a special threat to finish above the rim, while acting as a shot blocker on the defensive end. With an improving offensive skillset, Ariel enters the AAU season as a raw talent whose athletic ability will garner close attention from scholarship level coaches.
Matthew Willert (6’5 G, MN Comets)- A surefire Division 2 prospect, this spring Matthew has the ability to start gaining some serious Division 1 interest as a long shooter. Matt is a wiry 6’5 guard who can light it up from well beyond the arc, and has developed an inside game this year making him an even more versatile scorer. He averaged 17.4 ppg for a solid Buffalo squad and has earned looks from schools such as Northern Iowa and NDSU, while holding an offer from St. Cloud State. Don’t be surprised if Willert extends his list of offers this spring.