Spring Open Period Preview – 2022 Small Forward
The 2022 class has a pair of nationally ranked top 50 talents plus several others players that college coaches should get to know quickly. Today we give you our list of small forwards college coaches should know, in Minnesota’s sophomore…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe 2022 class has a pair of nationally ranked top 50 talents plus several others players that college coaches should get to know quickly.
Today we give you our list of small forwards 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!
Prince Aligbe Prince Aligbe 6'6" | SF Minnehaha Academy | 2022 State #167 Nation MN – a 6’6 wing from Minnehaha Academy and Grassroots Sizzle.
Comparison – It’s hard to find a Minnesota comparison for Prince because rarely have a week seen a player with his build that plays on the wing. Guys that are as strong as Prince in Minnesota have not moved their feet on the wing like he does. Trent Lockett was a similar producer for a stacked team at Hopkins, like Prince is at Minnehaha Academy.
Why Prince Over Others? Because he has rare athletic gifts, a strong work ethic, and is willing to play whatever role he is asked as proven by his defensive improvements this winter.
Camden Heide Camden Heide 6'7" | SF Wasatch Academy | 2022 State #129 Nation UT – a 6’6 wing from Wayzata and D1 Minnesota 17u.
Comparison – Heide is like Gabe Madsen Gabe Madsen 6'5" | SF Rochester Mayo | 2020 State #123 Nation MN only a bit bigger, his shooting numbers have been a higher percentage, and both finish at the rim in similar impressive ways. Both rebound very well too.
Why Camden Over Others? Camden has good size as a wing, a three point shooting touch at a high percentage, and he is an explosive finisher as well.
Attention D1 Programs!
Joshua Ola-Joseph Joshua Ola-Joseph 6'6" | SF Osseo | 2022 State #166 Nation MN – a 6’5 wing from Osseo and D1 Minnesota 16u.
Comparison – The way Ola-Joseph scored this year as an active athlete around the basket with strong rebounding numbers and high percentage finishers makes us think a bit taller Tywhon Pickford.
Why Josh Over Others? A quick twitch, long armed finisher that has the strides and quickness up the floor that match that of elite talents. Most productive player at Osseo this year.
Josh Ola-Joseph is one of the top wings in Minnesota's 2022 class! Part of a big time sophomore class at Osseo. pic.twitter.com/GGmqfzEDy0
— Fresh Coast Hoops (@FreshCoastHoops) September 9, 2019
Nick Katona Nick Katona 6'6" | SF Shakopee | 2022 State MN – a 6’6 wing from Shakopee and Minnesota Fury 16u.
Comparison –
Why Nick Over Others? Katona is an agile wing that is already a strong high school defender with an improving skill game. Similar production levels as his brother Charlie but with more agility.
Nick Katona is taking the next step this winter! Keep an eye on him with @mnfuryboys 2022 squad this summer! 👀 pic.twitter.com/tSoRIozVrq
— Prep Hoops Circuit 🏀 (@PHCircuit) January 27, 2020
BJ Omot BJ Omot 6'8" | PF Mankato East | 2022 State #231 Nation MN – a 6’6 wing from Mankato East.
Comparison – Goodnews Kpegeol. Similar size as Goodnews but the same type of comfort in a big body away from the basket.
Why BJ Over Others? Omot is a big, skilled wing with a smoothness to his game that is rare. Can play several spots and finish over nearly all wings he will face.
BJ Omot is quickly developing into a high level prospect at Mankato East! The 6'6 wing long, fluid, and capable of scoring in a multitude of ways. A top-15 ranked prospect in Minnesota's loaded 2022 class. @omot_bajedo pic.twitter.com/YAB6xnp1xQ
— Fresh Coast Hoops (@FreshCoastHoops) April 3, 2020
Demarion Watson Demarion Watson 6'8" | SF Totino-Grace | 2022 State #150 Nation MN – a 6’6 wing from Minnehaha Academy and Grassroots Sizzle 16u.
Comparison – The athletic ability when Demarion finishes make me think of a taller and longer but not quick as compact Ade Murkey (at Denver).
Why Demarion Over Others? Another rare, explosive athlete that will top the charts as an above the rim finisher. Hasn’t played much high school basketball in his life but was incredible on JV.
6'6 sophomore Demarion Watson-Saulsberry has a high ceiling at Minnehaha Academy! A long and athletic wing prospect with a developing perimeter game. @Minnehaha_BBall @grassrootshoops pic.twitter.com/JaTVyYFun5
— Fresh Coast Hoops (@FreshCoastHoops) January 31, 2020
Muja Burton Muja Burton 6'4" | SF Columbia Heights | 2022 State MN – a 6’4 wing from Columbia Heights and Howard Pulley 16u.
Comparison – A shorter version of Courtney Brown Jr. Courtney is a couple inches taller but they have similar frames and similar style of games. And they both have worn goggles!
Why Muja Over Others? Burton has a solid three-point shooting touch and a work rate as a high school talent that most his age can’t match.
Attention D1 & D2 Programs!
Mekhi Collins Mekhi Collins 6'5" | PF Mankato West | 2022 State MN (6’5) of Mankato West.
Brady Helgren Brady Helgren 6'8" | C Edina | 2022 State MN (6’7) of Edina.
Aaron (A.J.) Kaul Aaron (A.J.) Kaul 6'3" | SF Blaine | 2022 State MN (6’5) of Blaine.
Makuei Riek Makuei Riek 6'5" | SF Rochester Mayo | 2022 MN (6’5) of Rochester Mayo.