Class of 2022 Recruiting Report
Though still in the early stages of their high school careers, Minnesota’s class of 2022 looks loaded with both talent and potential. Both of those aspects have led to six players already receiving Division One scholarship offers, a number that…
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Continue ReadingThough still in the early stages of their high school careers, Minnesota’s class of 2022 looks loaded with both talent and potential. Both of those aspects have led to six players already receiving Division One scholarship offers, a number that should continue to grow over the next few years. We at NHR run through the players who currently have offers, and a few other talents who could be hot recruiting commodities down the road.
The Offered Prospects
Tre Holloman (6’2 2022 PG, Howard Pulley 17u)- Tre has been a household name in Minnesota for the past couple of seasons, and his success on the floor has translated into a number of high major offers. Over the course of his freshman season he added offers from Minnesota, Texas, and Baylor, and most recently has added an offer from Wisconsin. Most known for being a dominant passing guard, Tre led the state in assists during his freshman year, and is now seeing significant playing time on the 17u EYBL Circuit. Through the first four games of the EYBL, Tre averages 5 ppg, 1.8 apg, and 1.5 rpg. Tre is a scapper on defense, athletic finisher around the rim, and has a special sense of vision on the floor that will keep him a hot recruiting name for years to come.
Prince Aligbe (6’5 2022 W, Sizzle 17u)- Another guy playing two years up on a shoe circuit, Prince has been one of the biggest winners in the state in terms of recruitment this spring. His list of offers has grown into the double digits, as schools like Tennessee, Minnesota, Maryland, and Florida have already offered the athletic wing prospect. Known for his punishing dunks around the rim, as well as a flashy passing ability, Prince is a high ceiling player who is already physically developed and has a budding skillset that continues to improve every time he steps on the floor. Averaging 8.4 ppg and 4.7 rpg on the Under Armor Association through 11 games, Prince can play at a high level and has a bright future as a prospect.
Camden Heide (6’5 2022 W, D1 MN 16u)- Camden is another high level recruit with freakish athleticism on the wing. Like Prince, he is capable of getting up and throwing down some powerful dunks in transition and in the half-court. As a freshman, he was starting for one of the top programs in the state, and playing high level AAAA competition on a nightly basis. That competition has prepared him for playing a year up on one of the nation’s elite grassroots programs. His mixture of size, fluid athleticism, and polished offensive game has made him a high major Division One prospect. Wisconsin was the first program to pull the trigger and offer Camden, with Minnesota extending an offer shortly after. Already holding two high major offers, Camden’s stock is sure to continue growing over the spring/summer season.
Willie Wilson (6’3 2022 G, Sizzle 16u)- A high level shot creator in isolation, Willie Wilson was able to snag a Division One offer recently. Hampton took notice in Wilson’s offensive skillset, and was the first school to pull the trigger on the Minneapolis North prospect. Wilson has good size at the guard spot, with long arms and solid athleticism. He is so dangerous as a shot creator with a crafty handle on the ball that allows him to get wherever he wants to on the floor. Wilson is a hardworker who continues to improve on both ends of the floor, and doesn’t back down from any competition.
Donovan Smith (5’9 2022 PG, Sizzle 16u)- A teammate of Wilson’s on Sizzle’s 16u squad, Donovan Smith is as deadly as they come from beyond the arc. A lightning quick guard with a quick release to match, Donovan’s three point shooting impressed Hampton University, as they extended him his first offer. He averaged 7.3 ppg on a loaded Minnehaha Academy squad as a freshman, and is a player capable of erupting for a big scoring performance on any given night. Playing alongside multiple D1 prospects in both the high school and AAU seasons, Donovan’s game will constantly be on display for college programs, who will continue to take notice in the exciting young prospect.
Chase Carter (6’5 2022 F, Sizzle 16u)- The third Sizzle 16u player to gain a Hampton offer is Chase Carter. The young forward has a budding skillset mixed with good size to play either the 3 or the 4. He can step outside and knock down threes, or use his strong frame to finish at the rim through contact. He averaged 7.4 ppg on a well balanced and talented Marantha team during the high school season, and will see that role expand in the future as he continues to grow as a player. With one offer under his belt, Chase is one of many exciting Minnesota freshmen to watch going forward.
Who Could Be Next?
Demarion Watson-Saulsberry (6’5 2022 G, Sizzle 16u)- Watson is a player who we didn’t get to see a lot of during the high school season as he competed on Minnehaha Academy’s JV squad, but has created a bit of a buzz thus far in the AAU season. Demarion is a very long wing-guard who appears to have shot up a few inches over the school year, and has a budding offensive arsenal. He has the length to finish above the rim, and is a capable scorer from all three levels. Drake University was recently in to watch the rising prospect who appears to have a bright future going forward.
Emmett Johnson (5’10 2022 PG, MN Comets Elite 17u)- Emmett had a fantastic start to his high school career, averaging 13.9 points and 3.3 assists per game. That production has earned him a spot playing two years up with a talented MN Comets squad. He’s a great all around athlete who’s lightning quick getting to the rim, and has the strength to fight through contact. His first step is as quick as they come, which allows him to blow his defender, and get going in transition where he is a flashy passing guard. Emmett is already a high floor prospect who will be showcasing his talents in front of plenty of coaches by playing on the 17u level.
Eli King (6′ 2022 G, MN Comets Elite 17u)- Eli is another freshman playing up two years for the Minnesota Comets program, and is a bouncy young guard prospect. Eli is known for his explosive finishing around the rim, and is likely the most athletic of the talented King brothers. He averaged 12 ppg for Caledonia during the high school season, and has been a consistent contributor on a Comets squad loaded with scholarship level talent this spring. On top of his offensive talent, King is a lockdown defender who has taken on large defensive roles for Caledonia since he was a middle schooler. Omaha was recently in to see Eli, who is an exciting prospect to watch over the course of his career.
Elvis Nnaji (6’8 2022 F, D1 MN 16u)- Perhaps the most intriguing freshman prospect in the state, Elvis remains a raw player with vast potential moving forward. Already standing 6’8 and likely continuing to grow, Elvis is an impressive athlete who runs the floor very well for a young post, and can punish the rims in transition. Mostly playing at the JV level for Hopkins, though seeing time sparingly on varsity, Elvis has displayed some nice footwork and finishing in the post. He attacks the boards with aggression on both ends of the floor, and is a shot blocking threat on the defensive end with solid timing and a long wingspan. If he continues to develop his game to match his physical attributes, he could become a very good college prospect.