#HardWorkSZN Kickoff: Five Best
What five talents from the #HardWorkSZN Kickoff in Appleton grabbed my attention the most over the weekend? Today it’s Five Best! James Graham of Wisconsin Playground. James Graham is the 6th ranked prospect in the state of Wisconsin right now…
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Continue ReadingWhat five talents from the #HardWorkSZN Kickoff in Appleton grabbed my attention the most over the weekend? Today it’s Five Best!
James Graham of Wisconsin Playground. James Graham is the 6th ranked prospect in the state of Wisconsin right now and he lived up to that ranking and then some in the games I viewed over the weekend. At 6-foot-9 the opponents, especially in the game with Minnesota Select, seemed to work so hard to get to defensive position but in the end Graham softly touched in scores over the top of a defender in good position. Graham was at times a player to marvel at because Select would fit to a spot that defenders felt comfortable with, and then Graham simply scored over the top of them and it deflated the guys that defended him. Then you add in at his size James finished around the basket for his 22 as well.
Reagan Koch Reagan Koch 6'3" | PG Jordan | 2021 State MN of Minnesota Crossfire Stone. The 6-foot-3 guard was recently offered by the Colorado School of Mines, a division two program. This weekend I think I became a massive fan of the way that Reagan Koch Reagan Koch 6'3" | PG Jordan | 2021 State MN plays basketball. I was always aware, but this weekend I signed up for the support club! First he grabbed my attention with his early three pointers made against an Illinois team. But then I watched Koch fight over the top of ball screens with great positioning edging over with his inside leg to give him space to get over that screen. Koch’s defensive fight had me inspired. That was followed by his effort to chase down long boards and sprint to help position or contest shots of players that teammates left open. Next thing you know Koch is playing lead guard and running a team with precision. My mind set was “this guy can do so many things so well!” And then you see the state lines from his games: 24 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists, 4 steals followed by 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists against Fox Valley.
There are some guys that you sit down because the thing they usually do well, they aren’t doing well that day. Then you have guys like Reagan Koch Reagan Koch 6'3" | PG Jordan | 2021 State MN who do so much well, that you simply don’t sit them.
Cael Lundin of South Dakota Venom. Let’s start by saying the first thought that comes to my mind Cael Lundin has some juice. So what does that mean? It means that Cael has a lot of confidence in his game, and he has the ability to explode as a scorer in a way that changes games. His jumpshot has one of the prettiest releases that I have seen and at 6-foot-2 Cael has some good size with good bounce getting into that jumper. His game reminds me of Calvin Wishart who won a state title in Minnesota and then went to Georgia Southern (is now at UC-Santa Barbara). Lundin is more of a wing and Wishart is a ball handler but not only do they look similar physical features wise, but they play with a similar confidence. Playing a tough schedule this weekend Cael averaged just over 17 points a game and nearly five boards a contest over the weekend.
Reid Patterson Reid Patterson 6'2" | SG Lakeville South | 2021 State MN of Minnesota Select Ohnstad. I was never fully sure that Reid Patterson Reid Patterson 6'2" | SG Lakeville South | 2021 State MN was a D1 talent, that is being truly honest. I was sure that he was a top NSIC player, a top 10-12 prospect in Minnesota, and had a chance at D1 but I wasn’t sure. After watching Reid play this weekend I think he is a talent that some division one programs that need a shooter and a smart player, should look at. Patterson can handle the ball, he has a QB mentality (is a scholarship level QB on the field), and he is one of the best shooters you will see in 17u this summer. Patterson is a lefty shooter that not only has the edge of players naturally not ready for the shot on the left side, but he can release the ball so quickly that defenders simply get stunned that the ball has been released. Patterson had 22 in the opener making 10 of 12 shots including four threes. He was playing well against PGC but then foul trouble forced him to the bench. When he was playing free Patterson scored on D1 talents. Patterson is also an excellent passer and he showed some tough makes off of a dribble or two going at the rim. Love the way he uses screens to get himself open as well.
Tanner Te Slaa of South Dakota Venom. South Dakota State, South Dakota, and Augustana offered Tanner as they know that his feel is outstanding and that Tanner made 45.5 percent of his threes as a junior. Tanner can stun you with a make at the arc and then sprint back on defense and stare you straight in the eyes. Tanner is a 6-foot-4 skilled player that you can play on the ball or on the wing and between his frame and his ability to make plays, Tanner has the look of A.J. Plitzuweit, a 6-foot-2 guard that scored 15 a game as a freshman and is now at South Dakota and will play this fall. Tanner is bigger and more of a wing, but his comfort with the ball and his frame have that Plitzuweit look. Tanner was outstanding on the glass this weekend grabbing 6-7 a contest and he gave the Venom over a dozen a game.