Class Of 2020 Spring Stockrisers
The spring AAU season was full of surprises, with many players going from relatively unknowns to big time performers in a matter of weeks. These breakout players saw a rise in their stock over the spring that for many of…
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Continue ReadingThe spring AAU season was full of surprises, with many players going from relatively unknowns to big time performers in a matter of weeks. These breakout players saw a rise in their stock over the spring that for many of them led to scholarship offers, and will likely lead to many more in the future. We’ll run through seven 2020 players that we saw elevate their status as prospects this spring, and should be in line for a big summer of recruitment.
Steven Crowl (6’10 2020 C, D1 MN)- Over the course of his junior year Steven has transformed into a raw big man, to a dominant figure in the post, capable of scoring on anyone inside. After a productive junior year with Eastview, it was clear Steven was a D1 prospect, but the level in which he played at on the Adidas Gauntlet was more than impressive. At 6’10 Steven is a patient post scorer, with moves leading to soft finishes with either hand around the rim. He always seems to find space for dump off passes into the lane leading to easy dunks, and is willing to run rim-to-rim on both ends. With a solid outside jumper as well, Steven has become an offensive force, and colleges have taken notice. His big spring season saw him pull in offers from Colorado, Iowa, Northern Iowa, and South Dakota, with many other coaches watching closely.
Jacob Jennissen (6’11 2020 C, MN Matrix)- Perhaps the biggest improvement in Jacob’s game has simply been his confidence, and that growth has been evident each time we saw him play this spring. His confidence has allowed him to turn into a force on the block, powering through contact to finish at the rim, and fighting for second chance opportunities. He moves well for a player of his length, and is a great rebounder who attacks the ball off the rim. On defense he excels at blocking shots while going straight up to avoid fouling. With a constantly developing skill-set, Jacob has emerged as a Division One prospect, and earned an offer from Drake this spring.
Nathan Heise (6’3 2020 G, MN Fury)- Nathan Heise used his spring season with Minnesota Fury to turn himself into a Division One player, ultimately committing to Northern Iowa after receiving an offer from them. Heise was putting up big numbers on the Prep Hoops Circuit as a lights out shooter who also had a quick burst to finish at the rim. He has the physical tools to succeed at the next level, having added some strength and explosiveness to his game, and showed the ability to play either guard spot over the spring season. Nathan will continue to add to his game as he prepares for a big summer with Fury, and a big senior year at Lake City.
Calvin Sisk (7′ 2020 C, MN Comets)- Another rapidly emerging big man from Minnesota, Calvin Sisk proved to us why Division One coaches should be calling. Sisk continues to grow in his aggression and tenacity, which has led to him demanding the ball on offense, and searching for shots to swat on the defensive end. He’s starting to get comfortable with his height, and is looking to dominant the game each time he steps on the floor. He is comfortable receiving the ball in post position and making a move to score, and has grown in floating off the ball to receive in the lane for open dunks. One of the biggest areas of growth in his game has been his ability to run the floor leading to transition buckets and chase-down blocks. Sisk is a late bloomer who Division One coaches should make sure to get a look at during the MBCA Showcase this month, and throughout the remainder of the AAU season.
Manny Montgomery (6’4 2020 W, Rip City)- Perhaps the biggest surprise of the spring was Rip City’s Manny Montgomery. He averaged just under 16 ppg as a junior at Bloomington Jefferson, so we knew he could hoop, but his ability to get buckets against consistently tough competition made him stand out this spring. He has a very strong and agile 6’4 body that made him a matchup nightmare on the wing. Put some strength on him, and he’ll blow by you. Put some quickness on him, and he’ll out muscle you. Manny found success slashing to the rim and finishing, while also showcasing a smooth stroke from beyond the arc. He had a big weekend in Madison during the Live Period, and made headlines this past weekend with a 42 point performance at the NHR State Tournament. Manny is an under the radar wing who could be in for a huge senior year.
Joshua Brown (6’3 2020 G, MN Heat-Vang)- Josh continued to prove himself this spring as one of the top three point shooters Minnesota’s 2020 class has to offer. The lanky 6’3 guard was a constant offensive threat for a top-10 team in the state, and put in some quality performances against tough competition on the Prep Hoops Circuit. Primarily a catch-and-shoot threat for Park Center last winter, Josh has shown us that he is capable of creating his own shot off the dribble, and showcased the ability to beat his man off the dribble and knock down the mid-range shot. Though it’s hard to say for sure what level Josh will be playing at in college, it’s safe to say that his shooting should be garnering attention from a plethora of coaches over the next few months.
Joseph Kearney (6’3 2020 G, Grassroots Sizzle)- If you were anywhere near one of Joe’s games this spring, you likely heard the crowd and his team loud and clear. That energy is in large part due to the tenacity and intensity that Joe brings to the floor on both ends. He challenges his opponent on defense, and is willing to get up close and personal with his on-ball defense. On the offensive end, he forces you to guard him well beyond the arc, as he can and will pull up from deep. When Joe gets in a rhythm he becomes one of the most electric scorers the St. Paul area has to offer. He proved himself as a guy who excels as a go-to scoring option for his team, and could be in for a huge senior year at Tartan. Joe Kearney should be on the radar of colleges looking for a fiery competitor who can impact the game on both ends of the floor.