Grassroots Recap: Top 16Us
The grassroots season has come and gone. While everything about the experience was different, there were still standout players and exciting moments throughout every weekend. Here are some of the top 16Us from the summer: Paul Olson, ECI Select Grant…
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Continue ReadingThe grassroots season has come and gone. While everything about the experience was different, there were still standout players and exciting moments throughout every weekend.
Here are some of the top 16Us from the summer:
Paul Olson, ECI Select Grant
Olson’s going to be a key guy at Kindred next winter and he looks like he’s ready to make an impact. He’s 6-foot-3, strong, athletic and skilled. He looked good getting downhill and attacking the rim. It’s clear he’s comfortable playing through contact and bringing physicality to both ends of the floor. And his athleticism shows up defensively, as he’s capable of checking smaller guards and longer bigs alike.
Aaron Grubb, ECI Prospects
Grubb was one of the top players with ECI Prospects, showing an impressive off-the-dribble scoring ability and the strength to finish in traffic. He’s deadly from the mid-range and can create his shot with solid footwork and an array of moves. He’s not real long, but he’s tough and smart. He’s a good rebounder and can guard not only bigger guys but stick with smaller wings too.
Joe Hurlburt Joe Hurlburt 6'10" | PF Enderlin | 2022 State #147 Nation MN , D1 Minnesota
There aren’t too many players around the entire country that have raised their stock on a national level that way Hurlburt has playing with D1 Minnesota this summer. The 6-foot-10 Enderlin product has always had the skills and the athleticism to draw major interest – and when he had an opportunity for exposure, he made the most of it by playing at a high level against high-quality bigs every weekend.
Parker Nelson, ECI Prospects
Nelson is a high-IQ combo guard who was one of ECI Prospects’ most consistent players. He’s steady on the defensive end of the floor, showing a good understanding of team defense while also possessing the athleticism and toughness to play tough man-to-man defense. He’s a very good perimeter shooter who also showed he can make plays off the dribble.
Trey Brandt Trey Brandt 6'1" | PG Beulah | 2022 State ND , Pentagon Schoolers
Brandt had an even shorter AAU season due to an injury in late July but when he did play, he showed he can impact the game in a vastly different role than the one he plays for Beulah. With the Miners, he’s a go-to guy in every sense of the word. With the Schoolers, he didn’t have nearly as much offensive responsibility, but he showed he can score in the flow of an offense and was a really good defender.
Trent Freih Trent Freih 6'2" | SG West Fago Sheyenne | 2022 State ND , ECI Hanson
Freih had a lot of good moments playing with ECI Hanson on both ends of the floor and a big part of his success is his motor. He’s a high-energy guy who plays extremely hard and doesn’t give his opposition anything easy. He’s aggressive slashing to the rim and has the explosiveness to break down defenders and score in the paint. He’s solid in transition and his man-to-man defense was a bright spot for his team throughout the summer.
Nate Fedorchak, ND Phenom
Fedorchak is one of several promising young players coming through the Bismarck St. Mary’s system and he looked excellent with ND Phenom. He’s a big wing who can really shoot the ball. He’s got a quick and effortless release and plays with a solid understanding of how to use screens or spacing to get open for his teammates. He also showed he can create his own shot off the dribble.