Grassroots Recap: Top 17U Guards
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 17U guards from the summer: Kegan Heiderscheidt Kegan Heiderscheidt…
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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 17U guards from the summer:
Kegan Heiderscheidt Kegan Heiderscheidt 6'7" | SF Sleepy Eye | 2021 State MN , MN Rise
Heiderscheidt probably can be classified as any position 1-4 but I love his game, whatever position he’s technically playing. The Sleepy Eye product stuffs the stat sheet just about every time out and gets it done on both ends of the floor. He’s a terrific passer, an excellent slasher and finisher and has to be respected beyond the 3-point line. And defensively, he’s an impact guy who can pressure the passing lanes but also is capable of protecting the rim.
Josh Baker Josh Baker 6'3" | SG Marshall | 2021 State MN , SW MN Stars
Baker just keeps getting better and better. The Marshall swingman has gotten bigger and stronger in the last year and it shows as he’s consistently able to get to and finish at the rim. He’s always been a strong 3-point shooter and a smart player off the ball, but he’s added a dribble-drive game and the ability to break down defenders off the bounce now.
Bryce Lance Bryce Lance 6'3" | PG Marshall | 2021 State MN , SW MN Stars
Lance is one of the top point guards in the 2021 class and he’s continued adding to his game over the years just like Baker. He’s gotten bigger and stronger, and has always had an advanced feel and ability to make good decisions, but he scored more efficiently and with greater volume this summer. He’s a strong long-range shooter and does a great job getting to the paint and finishing with an array of scoring moves. I’d expect him to put up big numbers this upcoming winter for a Marshall team that should be among the state’s elite.
Elijah Morris Elijah Morris 6'2" | SG Perham | 2021 State MN , WC United
Morris has a reputation as one of the top shooters in the state and it certainly holds up – he’s a dead eye sniper when given time and space. But his development in the other areas of the game are so impressive. WC United losing three of its best players from a year ago may have been a blessing in disguise for a guy like Morris because it forced him into a primary ballhandling role and he did quite well. He’s a sound decision-maker and does a great job changing his speeds to get where he wants to go. And he’s bigger and longer than you’d think, which helps him on the defensive end of the floor where he can guard three positions.
Austin Klug Austin Klug 6'4" | SG Caledonia | 2021 State MN , MN Lightning Herber
Close your eyes and picture a Caledonia basketball player. That’s Klug. He’s big. He’s strong. He’s physical and he plays his butt off. Those things alone are enough to make a player an asset to whatever team he’s on. But he’s also a very good long-range shooter who has the juice to get to the rim against a lot of people. He’s a rugged defender who can swallow up smaller guards while possessing the size and strength to check bigger wings and forwards.
Jake Braaten, MN Rise
I don’t know what Braaten’s stock looked like before the summer, but it’s hard to think of too many guys who enhanced theirs more than Braaten this summer. The Byron lead guard scored consistently from all levels on the floor, showing great range coupled with the size and strength to get to the lane and finish. He’s a grinder on the defensive end of the floor too, and showed he can guard just about any perimeter position.
Colton Roderick Colton Roderick 6'5" | SF Alexandria | 2021 State MN , MN Comets
Roderick was perhaps the most impressive player for the top Comets team when I saw them play this summer. The 6-foot-5 Alexandria swingman just makes the game look easy. He’s smooth off the dribble, a skilled finisher around the rim with a good mid-range game and strong perimeter jumper. He can score from everywhere and he’s an unselfish passer who makes the game easier for his teammates.
Spencer Goetz Spencer Goetz 6'3" | SF Chaska | 2021 State MN , MN Fury Zurn
Goetz is just rock-solid in a lot of areas. He’s a big, long, athletic wing who can guard just about any position and his style of play is conducive to fitting in with anybody. He’s a smart defender who not only defends his man at a high level, but he’s consistently in good position to help and recover all over the floor. He doesn’t need the ball to make an impact. He’s a good cutter, a solid offensive rebounder and capable of getting to the rim on rip-throughs. And he’s a good passer. He’s a perfect glue guy type.