Hard Work Region Finals: Max’s Minnesota Standouts (Wings)
The first season of the Prep Hoops Circuit culminated in Minneapolis last weekend with the Hard Work Region Finals. Minnesota clubs were well represented, and the talent level was exceptionally high as prospects upon prospects took to the floor. The…
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Continue ReadingThe first season of the Prep Hoops Circuit culminated in Minneapolis last weekend with the Hard Work Region Finals. Minnesota clubs were well represented, and the talent level was exceptionally high as prospects upon prospects took to the floor. The NHR team was in attendance all weekend, and these are the top wings I saw over the three day span.
PJ Hayes (6’5 2020 G/F, MN Comets DLR 17u)- PJ Hayes continued to make a claim as one of the most skilled offensive players in the state last weekend. At 6’5 he has nice size on the wing, and has an array of moves to get his shot off. I caught him in the Comet’s game against SW MN Lightning, and for a while his shot wasn’t falling like it usually does. That didn’t stop him from staying aggressive and getting to the free throw line at will. PJ showcased the ability to lull his defender to sleep, and then explode by him to get to the rim with a quick first step. His offensive skillset and aggression is a big reason he’s a top-30 level player in his class, and could score 25+ a night as a senior.
Adreone Sprinkles (6’3 2019 G/F, FAB 17u)- The Minnesota Prep Academy standout took the floor with Jerry Gamble FAB over the weekend, and looked better than I’ve ever seen him. He was playing unselfish ball but still putting up big scoring numbers game in and game out. Adreone showcased his usual ability to get to the rack and finish through contact, but the jumpshot was falling at a more consistent rate than I had seen out of him before. He also had an improved handle for the ball and was flying by defenders on fast breaks to create good looks for himself and teammates at the rim. Adreone is a guy who was already playing at a high level at Brooklyn Center a couple years ago, but has continued to grow at a fast rate over this summer season.
Trey Longstreet (6’5 2021 SF, MN Heat-Tauer 16u)- Playing alongside two top-5 players in the 2021 class, Trey isn’t a guy who’s going to be taking a high volume of shots. But he showed the ability to make the most of his chances offensively, and was rock solid on defense all weekend long. The athleticism and strength is there as a wing (D1 football offer from Iowa State) and he is a fundamentally sound player that can shoot the rock and doesn’t make too many mistakes offensively. Despite being about half a foot taller, Trey at times matched up with nationally ranked point guard Chucky Hepburn in the 16u championship game. That’s just the kind of competitor Trey is. He welcomes the competition and is willing to take on the challenge of guarding an opposing team’s best player. Add in hitting a high percentage of three point looks, and Trey had a very solid weekend of play.
Charlie Katona (6’5 2020 W, MN Fury-Zurn 17u)- Division one schools need to acting on Charlie Katona. He arguably had the highest motor out of anyone I saw this weekend, and that’s not always something you see out of a player who’s as good as Charlie is. He has all the tools of a great rim attacker. Solid length, a quick burst to get by the defender, and a fearlessness to face any defender in the paint. Charlie is also a more than capable shooter from outside, and will make defenders pay for giving him space to fire. Defensively he was an energizer for Fury, always keeping active in off-ball defense and as a vocal leader on the floor. Charlie has proven that he can compete with and produce against anyone you put him on the floor against, and it’s only a matter of time before more schools start rewarding that production with offers.
Paris Johnson (6’4 2021 G/F, MN Suns 16u)- Usually running with D1 Minnesota, Paris was suited up with the Minnesota Suns over the weekend. A very long and intriguing prospect on the wing, Paris was showing off his explosiveness for some crazy finishes around the rim. The Suns threw multiple lobs his way over the course of their game against Iowa Mavs, and he’s just so long and bouncy that he would go over the top of defenders to tip them in. That same length and athleticism also makes him a threat on the defensive end, as he his quick enough to defend on the ball, but can also drop in as a shot blocker in the paint. Paris should be a fun prospect to keep an eye on over the next few years.
Nick Peterson (6’3 2020 W, MN Comets Elite 17u)- Though not always the most athletic or skilled player on the floor, Nick’s presence is always felt… or heard. Nick is probably the most vocal player I’ve ever watched play at the high school level as he is always communicating with his teammates whether he is on the floor or the bench. In the 17u championship game, the Comets had a slow start and were trailing big in the first half. Nick huddled his team up and brought an energy to the floor that allowed the Comets to claw back and make it competitive the rest of the game. On the defensive end Nick was an absolute scapper, willing to hit the floor for loose balls and take charges in the paint. Nick showed a crafty post game on the offensive end, which is so effective because players his size simply aren’t used to guarding a wing that is so skilled on the block.