Hardwood Elite’s The League: Week 2 Standouts
Northstar Hoops was in the gym for Hardwood Elite’s The League, a fall league featuring some of the top prospects in the state as well as some lesser known players. We caught two games, and these are seven prospects that…
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Continue ReadingNorthstar Hoops was in the gym for Hardwood Elite’s The League, a fall league featuring some of the top prospects in the state as well as some lesser known players. We caught two games, and these are seven prospects that stood out during week two.
Ben Kopetzki Ben Kopetzki 6'0" | PG Andover | 2023 State MN (5’10 2023 PG, Andover)- Ben Kopetzki Ben Kopetzki 6'0" | PG Andover | 2023 State MN had a solid summer with D1 Minnesota 15u, but due to the talent around him he never got the chance to takeover a game. Despite playing alongside the likes of Camden Heide Camden Heide 6'7" | SF Wasatch Academy | 2022 State #129 Nation UT and Elvis Nnaji Elvis Nnaji 6'8" | C Hopkins | 2022 State #215 Nation MN at The League, Ben put up big scoring numbers on the night. Though he won’t impress with size or explosiveness, Ben plays with great change of speed and direction, using a shifty handle to create space off a limited amount of dribbles. He caught fire from three on the night, hitting deep and contested shots like they were nothing. Ben also impressed with his ability to weave through traffic and finish with some craft around the rim.
Demarion Watson Demarion Watson 6'8" | SF Totino-Grace | 2022 State #150 Nation MN (6’7 2022 W, Totino-Grace)- Playing mostly JV the last two years at Minnehaha Academy, the potential with Demarion was always evident. This September however he’s started to blow up and turn that potential into impressive production. Demarion has been looking like a player that high major programs should be all over, using his explosiveness to finish at the rim, and showcasing soft touch on his outside jumper. Defensively he is comfortable guarding every spot at the high school level, and is a high level shot blocker. He started off the night finishing around the rim in a variety of ways, before rolling his ankle early in the second half. He ended up coming back into the game, but switched up his play and started dominating with his three point shot and pull-up mid-range game.
Tre Holloman Tre Holloman 6'2" | PG Cretin-Derham Hall | 2022 State #57 Nation MN (6’2 2022 PG, Cretin-Derham Hall)- If there’s one thing that Tre Holloman Tre Holloman 6'2" | PG Cretin-Derham Hall | 2022 State #57 Nation MN has proved this summer/fall, it’s that he’s a winner. I’ve watched him in 8 games over the past few months, and he’s a perfect 8-0 in those contests. Even though he isn’t a high level scorer, he still found ways to put up points, whether it was finishing through contact, turning steals into open buckets, or drawing contact and getting to the line. Tre continued to impress with his ability to blow by his man to force a help defender, and quickly finding and hitting the open man for a clean look. It’s rare to see a game where he isn’t hovering around 10 assists.
Elvis Nnaji Elvis Nnaji 6'8" | C Hopkins | 2022 State #215 Nation MN (6’8 2022 F, Hopkins)- I’ve really liked the improvements in footwork that Elvis has been showing at The League. Whether it be a quick spin to the baseline or turning over the left shoulder for a baby-hook or fadeaway jumper, Elvis made some nice moves leading to high percentage looks in the paint. He also did a great job of running the floor and crashing the boards hard leading to some powerful dunks above the rim. Elvis really impressed with his passing vision as well, able to find cutting teammates after the defense focuses on him in the post.
CJ O’Hara CJ O’Hara 6'4" | SF Park Center | 2023 State #285 Nation MN (6’4 2023 W, Totino-Grace)- CJ O’Hara CJ O’Hara 6'4" | SF Park Center | 2023 State #285 Nation MN has been another player who has consistently produced at a high level over the past few weekends. Always an explosive athlete with length on the wing, CJ has added some wiggle to his game on the perimeter, able to shake defenders with his handle to create space for a jumper or to get the rim. He’s proved he’s one of the top slashers in the state regardless of class, and finished at a high rate exploding to the rim. Add in growing confidence in his three point shot, and he continues to grow into as a prospect.
Samuel Musungu Samuel Musungu 6'1" | PG Andover | 2023 State MN (5’11 2023 PG, Andover)- Another 2023 Andover guard on this list, Sam has consistently produced at a high level over the past few months both with D1 Minnesota 15u and at The League. Samuel is a solid shooter from beyond the arc who can play off the ball as a catch-and-shoot threat, or create his own shot off the dribble. He’s also a crafty finisher around the rim, able to get by his man off the dribble and hang in the air to finish creatively.
Ryan Maule (6’2 2021 G, Mahtomedi)- Ryan was a steady scorer for the yellow team, playing alongside talented playmakers in Tre Holloman Tre Holloman 6'2" | PG Cretin-Derham Hall | 2022 State #57 Nation MN and Willie Wilson Willie Wilson 6'2" | CG Minneapolis North | 2022 State MN . Ryan moved well off the ball to find openings to get off his shot from beyond the arc, and looked confident leading the break in transition and finding ways to finish around the rim. He also knocked down arguably the biggest shot of the day, hitting a corner three to give his team the win in sudden death 2OT. Expect a solid senior season from Ryan at Mahtomedi.