Unranked Hidden Gem Prospects
Over the past month I’ve been able to watch multiple fall leagues/AAU tournaments, and have taken note of a few under-the-radar prospects that caught my eye. All seven of these players are unranked in their respective classes, but have shown…
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Continue ReadingOver the past month I’ve been able to watch multiple fall leagues/AAU tournaments, and have taken note of a few under-the-radar prospects that caught my eye. All seven of these players are unranked in their respective classes, but have shown potential to play at the college level.
Isaac Nyakundi (6’7 2023 PF/C, Duluth East)- A really intriguing prospect with likely the highest ceiling on this list, Isaac Nyakundi is a raw post prospect hovering around 6’7/6’8 with a solid frame to build on. Though he’s still raw, Isaac showed that he can handle the ball a little and occasionally take defenders off the dribble from the wing to get to the rim. In the post he has a soft touch turning over the left shoulder to finish at a high rate, and he’s a solid athlete who can explode for rebounds or to finish above the rim. And the most impressive thing about Isaac that I’ve recently learned, is that he’s only been playing basketball for two years. An extremely high ceiling for the Duluth East product.
Kabine Kaba (6’5 2021 F, Park Center)- The long and lanky forward from Park Center had a strong summer with Minnesota Phenom, consistently producing on both ends of the floor. He has a long wingspan and is a mobile forward, and showed that he can finish at a high rate around the rim. He won’t do much creating off the dribble, but has soft hands to catch dump off passes in the lane, and is a solid catch-and-shoot threat from beyond the arc. Add in effort on the glass and defensive versatility, and he’s another name to know at Park Center.
Ka’Jon Jordan (5’10 2023 PG, St. Paul Central)- After a freshman season where he saw time off the bench at the varsity level for St. Paul Washington, Ka’Jon Jordan is now at Central where he will provide additional depth to their backcourt. He’s showcased solid defensive instincts, creating turnovers by jumping passing lanes or moving his feet to take charges. Offensively he has a crafty handle with a nice change of pace, allowing him to beat defenders off the dribble and get to the rim. Once he gets there he’s a tough finisher with either hand, and does a good job of absorbing contact and maintaining his concentration to finish.
Chiddi Obiazor (6’4 2023 F, Eden Prairie)- Chiddi has all of the physical tools of a high level football player, but is skilled on the basketball court as well. Listed at 6’4 and 220 pounds by his AAU program, Chiddi is quick on his feet for his size, and has some explosive ability around the rim. He’s shown that he can attack the basket from the wing, handle it in transition, and has also showcased some footwork in the post that allows him to score when isolated on the block. His strength also allows him to defend taller players in the post as he can stand his ground with ease.
Puolrah Gong (6’6 2022 W, Mankato East)- I’ve seen glimpses of Puolrah both in the summer with Minnesota Select and playing at Hardwood Elite’s The League this fall. He’s a long wing at 6’6 with athleticism and explosiveness around the rim. That athleticism makes him a major threat in transition, as he can glide up the floor and soar for powerful finishes at the rim. He’s also been developing in the half-court, as a guy who can hit threes off the catch or beat opposing wings his size to the rim using his change of pace. He’ll see a bigger role for Mankato East this winter, and will be exciting to watch develop over the next year.
Joshua Ofori (6’5 2023 G, Shakopee)- I’ve gotten to watch Josh play multiple times at Hardwood Elite’s The League this month, and he’s a raw but intriguing prospect to keep an eye on. At 6’5 he could definitely play on the wing, but he also likes to handle the ball and distribute to his teammates. When attacking the basket he has a go-to spin move that he uses to quickly change his direction and free up space from his defender to finish around the rim. Already possessing the size and athleticism to catch a college’s eyes, if he can finetune his skill-set he’ll be an exciting player to watch by the time his senior year comes around.
Gavin Gothard (6’3 2021 G, St. Paul Central)- I got to see Gavin workout with some of his Central teammates this summer, and it’s obvious that he’s seen as a leader among that team. He’s also continued to work on his skills, and has become a very well rounded player who can play either guard spot with his 6’3 size. Gavin is an unselfish passer with some nice drive-and-dish skills to set up open shooters, but is also able to go up and finish if the defense doesn’t collapse. He has a crafty ability to create his shot off the dribble, and can hit from three or mid-range. Look for a strong senior season out of the St. Paul Central guard.