Breakout Season Candidates: 2021
Preview content is aplenty on NHR as September closes up shop. With the Top 250 Expo past us and fall leagues soon approaching, let’s take a look at a list of incoming juniors who could be poised for big years…
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Continue ReadingPreview content is aplenty on NHR as September closes up shop. With the Top 250 Expo past us and fall leagues soon approaching, let’s take a look at a list of incoming juniors who could be poised for big years and turn heads.
Brad Cimperman, 6-3 SF, Woodbury – After a promising summer with MN Select, Brad will step into a role that is much needed for the Royals – aggressive, confident scorer. It’s been a couple years since Woodbury had a go-to option that is capable of 20-plus points every night. Cimperman is long, keeps his eyes on the rim, shoots from deep at a solid clip and loves to get out and run. Will be a top Suburban East bucket-getter this season.
Finn Diggins, 6-5 PF, Perham – Out in Yellowjacket country, not many frontcourt players will be able to touch the paint activity Diggins brings to the table. He is the ultimate cleanup guy underneath and has a great size/athleticism combo as a rebounder. Double-double producer, I’ll mark it down now. He has great perimeter weapons and elite coaching around him too.
Jack Iverson, 6-7 PF, Big Lake – I’ve been very impressed with the steps Iverson took the last two years to become an explosive rebounder and short-range jump shooter along with court sense. Now that DeVonne Harris and Logan Nagorski have graduated, expect Jack’s minutes and PPG/RPG averages to soar.
Elijah Green, 5-11 G, Farmington – Not just a shooting threat anymore! That was Green’s reputation as an underclassman but his AAU performances in front of NHR staff revealed a steady handle, eyes for assists when two defenders committed to him and nuanced finishes in traffic. I really like the Tigers as a team this year and their most versatile offensive threat is Green.
Colt Landers, 6-4 F, Grand Meadow – You expect strong, tall and athletic guys to be forces at small schools. Colt Landers exceeds those expectations and he’s only a junior. Fresh off a high-teens scoring average as a sophomore, and exposure to even better competition with the MN Lightning this offseason, Landers has a chance to carry the majority load of offensive output for Grand Meadow and it’s conceivable he becomes one of the most prolific scorers in southern MN if not the entire state. Combo forward with growing playmaking skills.
Terence Anthony-Larmouth, 6-5 SF, Maple Grove – Arguably one of the biggest showcase stock risers of the last year, Terence is poised to play a big role on the wing for the Crimson. Adding his three-point shot has been a big emphasis of the expansion of his game and if he can be a consistent threat from deep along with his length and finishing ability around the basket, he’ll be a great complement to the veteran guards already in place at MG. He’s always been a strong rebounder and is coming into his skillset quickly.
Jordan Stone, 6-5 PF, PACT – There wasn’t a ton of winning going on last year for PACT – they were 5-21 – but big man Jordan Stone was a near-double-double producer as a sophomore. He will definitely have ample opportunity to do work inside and be a force in the new-look MCAA. Maybe along the lines of 15/10 per game.
Dominic Aguilar, 6-2 PG, Fergus Falls – The line of Otter backcourt staples will continue with Dominic, who had a nice season in 2018-19 contributing a few scores per game. Matt Johnson’s 26 PPG are gone to U of Mary, so Aguilar’s playmaking opportunities will increase mightily. His size at the lead guard spot and deep shooting range makes him a versatile threat.