10+ Player Notes from the D1 Summer Classic
First things first, props to D1 Minnesota for running a really safe and sanitary tournament. I was a little bit concerned going in, but I quickly learned that D1 MN was organized and adapted to this strange era we’re in.…
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Continue ReadingFirst things first, props to D1 Minnesota for running a really safe and sanitary tournament. I was a little bit concerned going in, but I quickly learned that D1 MN was organized and adapted to this strange era we’re in. Masks for all observers, teams escorted in/out separately, the whole bit.
Christian Crockett Christian Crockett 5'10" | PG Fridley | 2021 State MN , Fridley 2021 — Crockett is a 5-10 or so point guard who stood out to me because of his burst and nose for scoring. I just saw a glimpse as I was milling around, but he averaged double-digits at Fridley and could be a nice sleeper somewhere. Plays for MN Heat.
Luke Budzyn, East Ridge 2021 — Budzyn is a great sleeper who was stashed behind a few scholarship big men at East Ridge last year. I think he’ll rise the charts as a prospect because of his length, 6-6 height and ability to shoot it from deep for Fury Syverson 17U. Really intriguing.
Samuel Rensch Samuel Rensch 6'6" | SF Hutchinson | 2022 State MN , Hutchinson 2022 — 6-6, mobile, three-sport athlete, Rensch will certainly move up our 2022 rankings. He is at minimum a D2 prospect. The highlight for me was when Sam snatched an opponent’s pass and took it hard to the hoop for a dunk finish.
Jakob Braaten Jakob Braaten 6'0" | PG Byron | 2021 State MN , Byron 2021 — Let’s talk two Byron Bears back-to-back here (my high school rivals, but I’ll put that behind me). Braaten is a 2021 guard who is just super tough and can really finish. Every MIAC should take a look. He plays for MN RISE along with a bunch of other southern MN prospects. Averaged 16 PPG as a junior.
Ahjany Lee Ahjany Lee 6'9" | C Byron | 2022 State #145 Nation MN , Byron 2022 — Lee is hidden a tiny bit on D1 MN’s “Prospects” team. I’d put him really high on a list of MN guys who could break out in a big way this winter. About 6-8 and long, he affects the paint instantly with his activity. Still working on some skill stuff, but does not hesitate to use his size to dunk in traffic. See this video from King Of The Court.
Ariel Bland Ariel Bland 6'7" | PF AZ Compass Prep | 2020 MN , Prep School 2021 — Bland is headed out west to prep school at Golden State Prep, affiliated with Prolific Prep. He’s become stronger, more assertive, more confident. He ran with D1 MN this weekend and should expect several options at the low-to-mid-major D1 levels by springtime.
Ryan Dufault Ryan Dufault 5'11" | PG Waseca | 2021 State MN , Waseca 2021 — Heat Tauer 17U could not catch up to D1 MN in the title game. But Dufault kept doing his thing, weaving between bigger players (D1 MN is huge) and finishing really well around the rim. Dufault is a pure PG that reminds me a lot of his super-tough brother Nick (now at SMSU). Ryan should be offered by a good chunk of the NSIC.
Kristen Hoskins, Alexandria 2022 — I have never seen Hoskins before, and when I saw his energy and activity on Sunday, I knew he was a guy who wears his heart on his sleeve. Active feet, talking on D… if he can tighten up his offensive game, I think Hoskins will be really fun to watch and a leader for Alexandria/Comets. Hearing he is a high-level football recruit.
Luke Healy, Hudson (WI) 2021 — Healy is an athletic floor general for Fury’s top 17U group. In a matchup vs. Heat Tauer where they were not able to keep up, Healy did his very best to keep Fury in it with smart play and acrobatic finishes. Need to see more of his jumper, but I’m seeing a scholarship-level point guard.
Ryan Miles Ryan Miles 6'5" | SF Richfield | 2021 State MN , Richfield 2021 — Miles is a confident guard with good size who has a tendency to make plays. Playing on Fury Syverson, I’ll definitely be checking back on him over the next few months to see where his game goes. Part of a Richfield H.S. squad that could do pretty well this winter.
Joshua Streit Joshua Streit 6'9" | PF Eden Valley Watkins | 2021 State MN , EVW 2021 — D1 MN has lots of guys who can score it. But who does the dirty work? It was often Streit, who at about 6-foot-8 was working down low, rebounding and facilitating with the extra pass. He didn’t blow up the stat sheet, but he helped D1 MN’s shooters and slashers do their thing all the way to the 17U championship.