Top 250 Expo Minnesota – Sophomore Stock Risers
Who are some of the sophomores that really caught my eye this past weekend as stock risers at the Top 250 Expo? Get to know these players! Khalif Bettis Khalif Bettis 6'6" | SF Burnsville | 2023 State MN of…
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Continue ReadingWho are some of the sophomores that really caught my eye this past weekend as stock risers at the Top 250 Expo? Get to know these players!
Khalif Bettis Khalif Bettis 6'6" | SF Burnsville | 2023 State MN of Burnsville (6’4 Wing, 2023). There are some early matured players that level off early, and some that keep on growing in many ways. I think Khalif is the second version. He looks a bit taller, a bit stronger, and always focussed on working to change the game. I really liked the look in his eye when he was working to defend. There is a quickness to Bettis with the dribble that other wings had trouble with and he extended over contesting arms to make some difficult attempts.
Cole Johnson Cole Johnson 6'3" | SG Chatfield | 2023 State MN of Chatfield (6’3 Wing, 2023). I think Cole Johnson Cole Johnson 6'3" | SG Chatfield | 2023 State MN has a big future. He’s got a really nice shooting touch but he plays with an experienced confidence that other young players don’t have. What I mean by that is he will use a fake to clear a guy, or he will step back off a screen just a bit deeper to give him more time to catch and shoot, or he will time an extending opposite foot lay-up in order to beat the help. Cole has good size and plays with some real juice. Surely a kid that I think belongs on a top 16u team next year plus he’s going to have a massive sophomore season.
Isaac Nyakundi of Duluth East (6’7 PF, 2023). Right now Isaac is on the court producing in a see ball, rebound ball, score ball, block ball kind of way. Keeping it simple, playing hard, touching or dunking in field goal attempts with consistent play. This year he will play behind Noah Paulson Noah Paulson 6'8" | C Duluth East | 2021 State MN and really learn the game. A year from now Isaac will be 15 pounds stronger (weighing about 220) and likely an inch bigger. What comes with that will be another year of strength and experience. I guarantee you that the seniors as well as the Greyhounds staff is going to work with him and at this time next year we will be talking about Isaac as a top big man prospect in the class. The potential is there.
Lincoln Palbicki Lincoln Palbicki 6'10" | C Maple Grove | 2023 State MN of Maple Grove (6’9 C, 2023). I love how hard Lincoln plays. His consistency of effort is why I believe he is going to succeed and have a really solid high school and college career. The Crimson big man just battles and even if it doesn’t go his way he was back at it a minute later ready to battle again. Lincoln has a nice shooting touch and when more of his shots are on balance, when he feels more comfortable finishing against varsity bigs with contact big things will come. Maple Grove will be able to trust that Lincoln battles other bigs in the paint, and that Lincoln will set the right ball screen to clear space. He will board because he puts in the effort.
Ariyon Reuben of Hopkins (6’2 Guard, 2023). This is the second straight year that Ariyon had a strong performance at the Expo. I continue to love the way Reuben breaks down his man with precision. Another year, more older players trying to defend Reuben, more players that were beaten. Strong first step and a pretty stroke, Reuben looks a bit taller, a bit longer, and that length really helped him complete plays.
Carter Todd Carter Todd 6'4" | SF La Crescent | 2023 State MN of La Crescent (6’3 SG, 2023). Carter grabbed a hold of the basketball this weekend and teammates followed. Quickly you saw guys run the floor knowing that Carter was going to push and find them with a pass. He’s a young player that has the size for the wing and it allowed him to score at the wing, but the confidence and decision making that Carter showed as a ball handler really caught my eye.