Minnesota Open Period – New Names to Know
Who are some of the players that Prep Hoops learned about this weekend during this weekend’s Minnesota Open Period? Here is our group! Drew Berkland Drew Berkland 5'11" | PG Wayzata | 2022 State MN of Wayzata (5’11 Guard 2022). …
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Continue ReadingWho are some of the players that Prep Hoops learned about this weekend during this weekend’s Minnesota Open Period? Here is our group!
Drew Berkland Drew Berkland 5'11" | PG Wayzata | 2022 State MN of Wayzata (5’11 Guard 2022). Berkland is one of the state’s best three-sport athletes in his class. He was a key playmaker of the football team, a standout catcher on the baseball field, and what we saw this weekend is that Drew is coming off a double figure averaging sophomore year on the court. Defensively some of the things Drew was doing immediately rank him with one of the better defenders I’ve seen. His ability to fight to space laterally not getting screened was eye opening. Drew also made three clutch shots down the stretch (two threes and contested attack finish). We have to see how he handles the ball going forward but as far a two-way combo guard we love the way he plays.
Jacob Butler Jacob Butler 6'3" | SF Minneapolis North | 2022 State MN of Minneapolis North 6’2 SG 2022). When we also talk stock raisers Jacob Butler Jacob Butler 6'3" | SF Minneapolis North | 2022 State MN will be featured. Butler is fantastic in ball pressure and his ability to fight to get into passing lanes and force the ball to bad spots is more than I expected for a young player. Butler also has a pretty left handed stroke that connected on more than 40 percent of his threes this year plus his lefty tear drop is a thing of beauty. Add in the crafty playmaking in transition and you have a top guard prospect in this class.
Jon Haakenson Jon Haakenson 6'2" | SG Maple Grove | 2022 State MN of Maple Grove (6’1 SG 2022). A really good passer, a constant worker, and reliant all around competitor. That’s Jon Haakenson Jon Haakenson 6'2" | SG Maple Grove | 2022 State MN . What I loved about his dribble attack was his fight to win the angle and more often than not this year, Jon did. In our views against Spring Lake Park, Brainerd, and Champlin Park, Haakenson used a fake into his attack and that attack led to one of the more aggressive first dribbles you will see. Maybe not the speed of a top lead guard but more of an aggressive rush to space completing plays. Jon is a strong passer and a player that Maple Grove started because he was steady.
Andrew Hahn Andrew Hahn 6'6" | PF Albany | 2021 State MN of Albany (6’6 C 2022). What I love about Andrew Hahn Andrew Hahn 6'6" | PF Albany | 2021 State MN is his ability to finish with either hand. Short makes at the rim and placement attempts off his back to the basket move, Andrew Hahn Andrew Hahn 6'6" | PF Albany | 2021 State MN has done both. Hahn is a 245 pound anchor on the glass that wins position and sets strong screens. Enjoyed his soft touch after moving the defender with his initial move.
Ben North Ben North 6'0" | PG East Ridge | 2021 State MN of East Ridge (6’0 PG 2021). What we saw from Ben North Ben North 6'0" | PG East Ridge | 2021 State MN this weekend and at the Top Off Classic was Ben North Ben North 6'0" | PG East Ridge | 2021 State MN moving top guards in Minnesota with intelligence. North uses jab steps, quick crossovers, and ball fakes to get players to move their feet, and once the defender shifts his weight Ben has been a playmaker. North is also a quick hand defender that has turned guys over with poke aways and passing lane jumps. The way he played against Trejuan Holloman caught our eyes and that gives East Ridge three talented returning starters in North, Kendall Blue Kendall Blue 6'6" | SG East Ridge | 2022 State #242 Nation MN , and Drew Adams Drew Adams 6'8" | PF Eastridge | 2021 State MN .
Kaleb Skelly Kaleb Skelly 6'4" | SF Spring Lake Park | 2021 State MN of Spring Lake Park (6’4 SF 2021). At his size, strength, and agility, Skelly is an offered football prospect that is also a double figure averaging basketball player. He has the size to guard a couple forward spots but the quickness to guard both wing spots. A strong rebounder and high percentage finisher.