Spring Open Period Preview – 2022 Power Forward
The power forward position in the sophomore class has a lot of quality prospects with potential. What we are waiting to see is which player/players take the biggest strides in the next 12 months. Here are the names to know!…
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Continue ReadingThe power forward position in the sophomore class has a lot of quality prospects with potential. What we are waiting to see is which player/players take the biggest strides in the next 12 months. Here are the names to know!
Attention D1 Programs!
Carter Bjerke Carter Bjerke 6'9" | C Wayzata | 2022 State MN – a 6’8 power forward from Wayzata and D1 Minnesota 16u.
Comparison – When you look at Carter’s strong frame and you see the way he shoots the ball facing the basket with range it will instantly take you back to Shelby Moats, the former Waconia big who played at Vanderbilt.
Why Carter Over Others? Power forwards have evolved. Schools like a four man that can stretch the defense, a pick and pop four that makes shots and Carter can do that. Plus he has the size to battle inside.
Chase Carter Chase Carter 6'7" | PF Minnehaha Academy | 2022 MN – a 6’6 forward from Minnehaha Academy and Grassroots Sizzle 16u.
Comparison – Carter reminds me a lot of a young JaVonni Bickham as they were both strong at this age and in a similar size body with a low post game but also very skilled with a strong understanding of the game. Bickham was offered by Memphis the same time in his career Carter was offered by Minnesota, Vanderbilt, and others.
Why Chase Over Others? Carter is one of the better big man passers you will see. If he grows into the same size his father Randy Carter played at he will be very similar because Chase is that good with his back to the basket, but Chase is also a football prospect pulling in impressive offers.
Sophomore highlights of 6'6 2022 forward Chase Carter! The Minnehaha Academy prospect holds multiple high major offers in the early stages of his recruitment. @Chaseyhoops pic.twitter.com/sfXYGXx3Ct
— Fresh Coast Hoops (@FreshCoastHoops) April 5, 2020
Ahjany Lee Ahjany Lee 6'9" | C Byron | 2022 State #145 Nation MN – a 6’8 power forward from Byron and Grassroots Sizzle 16u.
Comparison – At this age Lee reminds me of the first times I saw Carter Henry and Jarvis Omersa. Similar size, similar raw explosive ability, and similar excitement for their potential. Omersa developed into a player that led Orono and is now at Minnesota. We will have to see how Ahjany develops.
Why Ahjany Over Others? Lee has physical gifts that others don’t have. Ahjany is quick off his feet, runs very well, and is an explosive finisher and shot blocker. He is still learning the game but when he gets comfortable the ceiling will be higher than most prospects can dream of.
Ahjany Lee was a bully tonight for @ByronHoops as they beat Kasson-Mantorville in an HVL showdown. He does NOT look like a sophomore pic.twitter.com/f8yP7doat5
— Garrett Short (@GarrettShortTV) January 25, 2020
Jackson Loge Jackson Loge 6'7" | C Morris Area | 2022 State MN – a 6’7 power forward from Morris Area and Minnesota Fury 16u.
Comparison – When I watched Jackson play with D1 Minnesota last year there were a lot of things that made me think of Rocky Kreuser who is now at NDSU having a great career. Skilled and productive in a very good frame would describe both.
Why Jackson Over Others? Skills. Jackson is not only consistently productive year in and year out, but he is an extremely skilled post with his back to the basket or facing the rim.
Teigan Martin Teigan Martin 6'7" | PF Mayer Lutheran | 2022 MN – a 6’8 forward from Mayer Lutheran and Grassroots Sizzle 16u.
Comparison – It’s not just that both are 6’7/6’8 with dark hair with fair agility, but Teigan has developed a touch like Northfield’s Luke Harris started to develop in his high school career.
Why Teigan Over Others? Martain has good size and still growing, which is like his game which seems to be ever expanding. I’ve seen him finish more explosively this year and develop a very nice face-up mid-range game.
Attention D1 & D2 Programs!
Thomas Diew Thomas Diew 6'7" | C St. Cloud Apollo | 2022 State MN – a 6’7 power forward from St Cloud Apollo.
Comparison – I remember Tessy Pal having a great touch in the low post at a young age and then he grew taller, stronger, and more agile and his game took him to the D2 level. Diew has similar potential to develop.
Why Thomas Over Others? Because Diew has a high level of confidence and a very soft touch around the basket. Has some shooting range too and when it becomes more consistent he is going to be a fine prospect.
Evan Dushek Evan Dushek 6'8" | C Owatonna | 2022 State MN – a 6’6 power forward from Owatonna and Grassroots Select 17u.
Comparison – Remember how Sam Sustacek would impact games and at times shoot maybe four lay-ups total but you still said “look at what his toughness and energy did!”? That is Sam who will battle you.
Why Evan Over Others? Because Evan will beat you up to win a game. That’s pry stretching it but you get the point as Evan just wants to battle every position and usually he’s the one that wins the board, scores the contested bucket, clears space with the screen, and wins the post position.
Names to Know
Spencer Alvarez Spencer Alvarez 6'6" | PF Columbia Heights | 2022 MN (6’6) of Columbia Heights. Rebounds in bulk.
Hakeem Ford Hakeem Ford 6'5" | PF Minneapolis Southwest | 2022 State MN (6’6) of Minneapolis Southwest. Raw potential in a long frame.
Tony Nelson Tony Nelson 6'6" | C TMB | 2022 State MN (6’6) of TMB. Outstate 16 & 10 producer.
James Spencer James Spencer 6'6" | PF Park Center | 2022 State MN (6’5) of Osseo. Impressed when I saw him this year.
Jaden Wollmuth Jaden Wollmuth 6'5" | C Richfield | 2022 State MN (6’5) of Richfield. Played a really nice role for the Spartans as the dual big, face-up four