#HardWorkSZN Kickoff Opening Night Standouts
APPLETON — After a long wait, the AAU season finally returned on Friday with the Prep Hoops Hard Work Season Kickoff. Here’s a look at some of the top individual performances from opening night… Logan Arndt Logan Arndt 6'2" |…
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Continue ReadingAPPLETON — After a long wait, the AAU season finally returned on Friday with the Prep Hoops Hard Work Season Kickoff. Here’s a look at some of the top individual performances from opening night…
Logan Arndt Logan Arndt 6'2" | SG Oconomowoc | 2023 State WI – 2023 – W – ABC Young Lions
Nobody has played much serious ball since March, so a lot of guys were understandably sloppy, but Arndt seemed to be a guy who caused a lot of chaos. A strong, athletic 6-foot-3 wing, Arndt just flew around on Friday, altering shots, forcing turnovers, and pushing the tempo offensively. He needs to learn to contain his energy, especially when he’s on the ball and avoid turnovers, but Arndt’s pressure defense and constant movement helped push ABC Young Lions to a tight win over the Wisconsin Blizzard. Arndt has a strong frame for slashing can stretch the floor from 3-point range and has some explosive leaping ability to play above the rim.
Michael Asman Michael Asman 6'7" | PF Kimberly | 2023 WI – 2023 – F – Wisconsin Crusaders
There’s a lot of his brother in Asman. Body type, skill level, and feel for the game is very similar to that of Grant Asman Grant Asman 6'11" | PF Kimberly | 2021 State WI , a standout at Kimberly. Michael is already listed at 6-foot-6 and has a very similar style. He did some nice things in a win over World Hoops Elite , stretching the floor from 3-point range and getting coast-to-coast in transition. Like his brother, Asman is very lanky and has a lot of room for growth in the coming years, which should make college programs excited.
Trey Jenkins – 2021 – SF – Wisconsin Sharks
A prospect I don’t have ranked, but is definitely on my watch list, Jenkins had a nice second half in Friday’s loss to Illinois Future. The senior wing as a big sparkplug to help the Sharks nearly pull off a big comeback in the second half. Jenkins got hot with a couple of 3-pointers and a tough and-one at the rim. Jenkins has some nice length and is a quality spot-up shooter from distance. Athletically, he showed some flashes and with some more strength, skill, and confidence, could be a late bloomer in college.
Antuan Nesbitt Antuan Nesbitt 6'4" | SF Racine | 2021 State WI – 2021 – W – Wisconsin Sharks
Continue to be very high on Nesbitt backed up his top 20 ranking in this state. The senior poured in 28 points, including 16 in the first half as the Wisconsin Sharks dropped a heartbreaker in overtime to Illinois Future after making a huge comeback in the second half. Nesbitt is such a difficult matchup. The 6-foot-3 wing plays a lot of point guard and has a lot of burst on the ball. He’s got blow-by ability. Pair that with his long strides and Nesbitt is at the basket in a blink of an eye. If his 3-point shot is falling like it was on Friday, it can be a long night for opposing
defenses. Surely, Nesbitt shouldn’t fall below the Division 2 level. If he opts for a junior college or prep stint, I could see him being a valued mid-major prospect in a few years.
Luther Smith Luther Smith 6'1" | SG Sussex Hamilton | 2023 State WI – 2023 – SG – ABC Young Lions
Playing on a loaded Sussex Hamilton team during the season, didn’t get to see a ton of Smith in long spurts. It was good to see the top 10 sophomore showcase more of his abilities on Friday. An athletic, uptempo guard, Smith thrived with his transition scoring ability. The 6-foot-1 combo guard has some added length and just glides to the rim. Also a knockdown 3-point shooter, Smith is extremely confident from downtown and doesn’t shy away from the big moments.
Will Stark – 2023 – SF – World Hoops Elite
Kid that needs to be ranked ASAP, Stark had a huge performance in a loss to the Wisconsin Crusaders. An athletic, high motor prospect, Stark just dominated from the opening tip. He’s an aggressive slasher with bounce and also attacks the offensive glass. When Stark got the ball with space to work in transition, it was an automatic two points. Despite the defeat, Stark just never flipped his switch off and was in attack mode from start to finish. Stark finished with 30 points on opening night, setting a solid foundation for the rest of the summer.