Spring Open Period Preview – 2022 Point Guards College Coaches Should Monitor
The 2021 class has unfortunately lost their opportunity to show college coaches what they can do in the spring open period. However, Prep Hoops is committed to helping those players that deserve a college audience, be showcased throughout…
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The 2021 class has unfortunately lost their opportunity to show college coaches what they can do in the spring open period. However, Prep Hoops is committed to helping those players that deserve a college audience, be showcased throughout the next two weeks in many forms.
Today we give you our list of point guards college coaches should know, in Minnesota’s sophomore class. Players that would be competing on 17u and 16u teams with some of the best teams on several different circuits.
Attention High Major Programs!
Tre Holloman Tre Holloman 6'2" | PG Cretin-Derham Hall | 2022 State #57 Nation MN – a 6’3 guard from Cretin Derham-Hall and Howard Pulley 16u.
Comparison – Think a taller and more explosive version of Al Nolen who played for Minnesota from 2007-11. Holloman is the type of athlete that not only has high major basketball programs on him (Michigan St, Minnesota, Baylor, Texas, Marquette, etc offers) but also high major football programs are offering.
Why Tre Over Others? – Because Tre is a winner. Players love to compete with Tre because they know he will give it his all and put his team in the best position both as a passer and as a team defender. The best examples of this are the way that Holloman led the Redhawks over wins against Minnehaha Academy and East Ridge in big stage situations. Holloman is arguably the top prospect in the state of Minnesota.
Attention D1 Programs!
[player_tooltip player_id="850731" first="Ayden" last="McDonald"]Ayden McDonald Ayden McDonald 6'4" | PG Omaha Central | 2022 State MN – a 6’3 guard from Hibbing and the Wisconsin Playmakers 17u.
Comparison – I feel like Ayden is a cross between Calvin Wishart (was at Georgia Southern, now at UC Sanata Barbara) and Jax Madson Jax Madson 6'1" | PG Mankato East | 2020 State MN (all state player from Mankato East). A bit bigger than Madson with the numbers and feel that Wishart had, but a different type of athlete than Calvin.
Why Ayden Over Others? – Ayden is one of the best young passers I have seen in Minnesota. From the risky pass to the simple pass, from the patience to knowing when to zip the ball to a good spot, Ayden McDonald Ayden McDonald 6'4" | PG Omaha Central | 2022 State MN has that level of ability. Not to mention he scored 21.6 points per game.
6'3 2022 guard Ayden McDonald put up 28 points against Minnehaha Academy yesterday! The sophomore guard is also Hibbing High School's leader in career assists. @BluejacketBBall
Full game highlights: https://t.co/m03KQ1etI4 pic.twitter.com/wXtdq597LP
— Fresh Coast Hoops (@FreshCoastHoops) February 16, 2020
Benard Omooria Benard Omooria 6'2" | CG Osseo | 2022 State MN – a 6’2 guard from Osseo and the D1 Minnesota 16u.
Comparison – Benard has a similar feel, toughness, and frame to Antwan Kimmons, Will Omooria be the same level of explosive athlete that Kimmons is? We have to wait and see how he matures physically the next 18 months but there is a similar approach in their games.
Why Benard Over Others? Out of all the young Osseo young talent it was Benard who was most consistent. Omooria is reliable and tough, an every day player that works to get better every morning he wakes up.
Sophomore year highlights of 6' 2022 PG Benard Omooria! Crafty guard averaged 11.2 ppg shooting 38% from three and is among the top ranked point guards in Minnesota's 2022 class. @23_benard
Full video: https://t.co/Hsplf7wNWF pic.twitter.com/5FsyzQwzRp
— Fresh Coast Hoops (@FreshCoastHoops) April 1, 2020
[player_tooltip player_id="850724" first="Donovan" last="Smith"]
Donovan Smith Donovan Smith 5'10" | PG Minnehaha Academy | 2022 OH – a 5’9 guard from Minnehaha Acadey and the Grassroots Sizzle 16u.
Comparison – Smith seems to be a cross between Jamal Mashburn Jr’s shooting ability if he grows a few inches, and Henry Abraham Henry Abraham 5'11" | PG Cambridge | 2020 State MN who scored 32 a game at Cambridge and is headed to Eastern Illinois. Why? That’s simple, Smith (like those he is compared to here) shoots the lights out. Now we have to see if his on and off the ball game grows like that of an Abraham.
Why Donovan Over Others? There are many combo guards that I am leaving for the shooting guard position (King, Blue, Wilson, Dodd, Siwek, etc) but Smith will be here because he has played PG for his summer teams very well and he will need to guard lead guards at the next level. Why Donovan? He shoots the ball so damn well.
Attention D1 & D2 Programs!
[player_tooltip player_id="850716" first="Emmett" last="Johnson"]Emmett Johnson Emmett Johnson 5'11" | PG Holy Angels | 2022 State MN – a 5’11 guard from Holy Angels (not sure on what 16u/17u team, with Comets DLR 17u last year).
Comparison – The easy way out is to compare Emmett to his brother Charles, ball pressuring perfection that led his team to state. Charles and Emmett are similar in their defensive abilities and speed but Emmett also has a frame that makes me think JaQuan Sanders-Smith. If Emmett can learn to attack and score like that things could really get exciting.
Why Emmett Over Others? Because Emmett is one of the best on ball defenders you will find and Emmett is also a high character young man that players love to compete with. If you want a lead guard that can get over that initial screen Emmett is that guy.
Antonio Bluiett Antonio Bluiett 6'2" | PG Buffalo | 2022 State MN – a 6’0 guard from Buffalo and Minnesota Comets 16u.
Comparison – Bluiett seems a lot like the Lance brothers from Marshall (Trey is leading NDSU to football gold, Bryce just led Marshall to state as a junior). Anotnio is shorter than the Lance brothers but has that same type of passing ability and smooth approach with the ball, the patience to let things to develop but mentality to strike in a moment’s notice.
Why Antonio Over Others? For the reasons I just explained in the comparison, Bluiett is a quality shooter and a really smooth playmaker.
On That Scholarship Radar
Ruot Jioklow Ruot Jioklow 6'2" | PG Park of Cottage Grove | 2022 State MN of Simley (6’1 PG) of Select 16u. Jiokow impressed us this winter and we have a feeling he could make a huge jump with a good summer.
Cohen Kellogg Cohen Kellogg 6'0" | PG Orono | 2022 State MN of Minnetonka (5’11) and Comets 16u. Kellogg was the Tonka starting PG after an all state 15u spring/summer.
Cade Mcgraw Cade Mcgraw 5'10" | PG Shakopee | 2022 State MN of Shakopee (5’10) and Fury 16u. Cade was hurt all winter so we didn’t get to see his sophomore year, but all state 15u.
Peyton Newbern Peyton Newbern 6'5" | SF Armstrong | 2022 State MN of Robbinsdale Armstrong (6’1). Newbern was one of the Armstrong ball handlers, solid potential.
Sammy Presthus Sammy Presthus 6'2" | PG Edina | 2022 State MN of Edina (6’0). Coming off a solid year in the lake as one of the best 3-4 Edina players.
Johnny Tennyson Johnny Tennyson 6'3" | SG STMA | 2022 State MN of STMA (6’3) of Comets DLR. Good size, good feel, the future of STMA hoops.
Will Van Scoy Will Van Scoy 6'1" | PG Duluth East | 2022 State MN of Duluth East (6’1) of Playmakers North. Will had a good year at East, many feel he has a scholarship future.
Dylan Wheeler Dylan Wheeler 6'3" | SG Mounds View | 2022 State MN of Mounds View (6’1) and Minnesota Heat 16u. Second leading scorer for a much improved Mustangs team.
2022 Minnetonka HS Guard Cohen Kellogg Sophomore Year Highlights‼️🔥🔥🔥 Kellogg is a great all around player who creates opportunities for his teammates and will knock down shots from anywhere on the court. @SkippersBB @KelloggCohen
Full Video⬇️https://t.co/3UyGO24l6S pic.twitter.com/zqk5056YIN— Wake Em Up Hoops TV (@WakeEmUpHoopsTV) April 1, 2020