Recruiting Rundown: Top Available Seniors in 2020
The basketball season, unless some things change unexpectedly, is over. While some are holding out hope that the Class A State Tournament can resume for a day to finish and the Class B can play out, there isn’t much optimism. …
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Continue ReadingThe basketball season, unless some things change unexpectedly, is over. While some are holding out hope that the Class A State Tournament can resume for a day to finish and the Class B can play out, there isn’t much optimism.
It’s also a weird time for uncommitted seniors hoping to still earn looks and latch on at colleges to continue playing basketball. Recruiting is restricted for the next month, potentially impacting a number of quality players around the state.
Here are some of the top available seniors yet to make a college decision:
Cam Van Dam, Fargo Davies
Van Dam is one of the best two-way players in the state and can be deployed in Swiss-Army Knife like fashion. At 6-foot-7, he can handle the ball like a guard, grab-and-go on the glass and make plays for his teammates. He’s a weapon off the ball and as a screen and roll guy because he’s one of the most explosive finishers in the state and a sound decision-maker against rotating defenses.
Van Dam’s versatility should, in theory, gives him a high floor at the college level.
“If I’m a college coach, he’s the type of player I’m looking for, guys who can do a lot of things, Fargo Davies coach Bart Manson said. “Sometimes a kid is just a spot shooter or a traditional post player or whatever. Cam can do so much and we put him in spots where he’s a point guard, he’s a four man, he’s a five man. People need to see that. He didn’t have huge numbers but we didn’t need him to. If we would’ve needed that from him, he could’ve done it.”
“Hopefully try and make a decision soon,” Van Dam said. “St. Johns is one that’s been recruiting me hard. Bemidji State has talked to me a little bit. I’m not sure yet. Still trying to make a decision. I’m looking at some other options as well.”
The current climate makes his recruitment challenging as schools are restricted on certain levels. So it’s a bit of a waiting game. But he’s going to have options. Somewhere in the NSIC or the MIAC seems the most likely, but walking on at the Division I level and the junior college route are on the table too.
“I have a good feeling for Cam to land somewhere,” said Manson. “He’s too good of a player not to get picked up by somebody. Sometimes kids just have to be patient. And his best basketball is yet to come. Someone who gets him is getting a steal.”
Blake Berg, West Fargo Sheyenne
Berg was one of the best players in the state this past season, showcasing the ability to dominate a game with his athleticism and force. He’s a big guard who can get to the rim seemingly at will. His jumper hasn’t progressed a ton, but he’s a terrific defender, an adept passer and a very good ball-handler/shot-creator.
The latest restrictions on recruiting could certainly be impacting Berg, as there was a belief that he had a number of options on the table including several local Division II and NAIA programs, as well as potentially walking on at one of the local Division I programs. As of now, Berg’s status is up in the air.
“I haven’t decided yet,” said Berg. “Kind of just have to wait right now. I should figure it out in the next few weeks.”
Carson Henningsgard, Hillsboro/Central Valley
One of the best players in the state regardless of class, Henningsgard averaged 22 points, 4.5 rebounds and 6.5 assists as a senior, leading the Burros to the state tournament. He showed he can score a high rate on the AAU circuit last summer and has the ability to make his teammates better.
Henningsgard said he was hoping to have an opportunity to generate some late interest with a potential state tournament run, but also that he’s fairly close to a decision.
“I’m pretty close to making a decision,” said Henningsgard. “I’ve got to sit down and figure things out for sure. I’m just waiting things out a little bit. I was hoping to have a state tournament to see if that would impact some things. See if you can get on TV, maybe some other coaches spot you but I’ll go without that now.”
Zion Dettmann, West Fargo Sheyenne
From a stock standpoint, there aren’t many guys who have raised theirs more than Dettmann in the last 12 months. The West Fargo Sheyenne point guard had a really good summer playing with Inspired Athletics. And he backed that up with an awesome senior year that saw him playing his best basketball over the second half of the year – to the point that he was arguably their most consistent scorer. He’s a good 3-point shooter, an aggressive slasher, smart passer and highly competitive on the defensive end of the floor.
Talon Hoffer, Fargo Shanley
Fresh off leading his team to the state tournament, Hoffer is one of the top available players in the state. At one point a multi-sport prospect, Hoffer said he’s now committed to playing basketball at the next level.
“So far, the schools that have shown the most interest are Dickinson State and Concordia,” Hoffer said.
At 6-foot-2, Hoffer has excellent size to play on the perimeter. He’s a strong slasher, a quality passer and shot-creator who showed especially last summer that he can stand out when given space to work and teammates who can ease some of his playmaking burdens.
Cole Myers, Richland
Myers is a multi-sport stud and could end up playing football at the next level if he wants to as well. If he does decide on hoops, someone’s going to be getting a guy who can impact the game on a lot of levels. Myers plays bigger than his height (6-foot-2), can score from all three levels, defend just about anybody, rebound at a high level and he’s been highly productive for a top-five team each of the last two years.
Seth Nelson, Carrington
Carrington had a difficult season but Nelson is one of the best prospects in the state and was excellent in his senior season. At 6-foot-4, Nelson’s an impressive blend of size, athleticism and skill. He can shoot from the 3-point line, he can handle the ball and make plays, and he’s an multi-positional defender. He’s a multi-sport stud who could have options to play multiple sports at the next level.
Doug Yankton, Four Winds/Minnewaukan
Yankton’s been the catalyst for a Four Winds team that was the easy favorite to win a state title. His scoring was actually higher as a junior, but his ability to impact the game has always been a strength. He’s big, athletic, smart and skilled. He’s at his best when slashing and either finishing at the rim or making plays for his teammates and his ability to essentially cancel out top scorers from opposing teams makes him a two-way weapon.
Kobe Krenz, Dickinson
Krenz is a little undersized but he can fill it up in a hurry. The 5-foot-11 senior guard averaged 24.5 points per game while shooting 36 percent from the 3-point line (on 10 attempts per game) and getting to the free throw line six times per game. He’s instinctual as a defender off the ball and competitive on the ball.
Bradley Defender, St. John
Defender is a versatile wing who has solid size, athleticism and toughness. He’s proven over the course of three years that he can get to the rim, shoot from the perimeter, make plays for his teammates, defend up and down a lineup and rebound. He impacts the game in a variety of ways.