MN Top 250 Expo: Top Sophomore Performers
The sophomore class is starting to emerge. Here are a few things that caught our eye last weekend. Mario Adams of Eastview. What caught our eye? The 6-foot-4 size of Mario Adams scored early on his man, in an explosive…
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Continue ReadingThe sophomore class is starting to emerge. Here are a few things that caught our eye last weekend.
Mario Adams of Eastview. What caught our eye?
The 6-foot-4 size of Mario Adams scored early on his man, in an explosive way. Once that happened the defenders stayed back worried about the next attack. And Mario can bring an explosive attack in a big way. This year he will have a varsity practice every day and when his skills/game understand take a jump we can’t wait to see what his prospect status is.
Patrick Bath of Totino-Grace. What caught our eye?
Bath in the high post, high post extended areas has a chance to be exceptional. He’s got a very nice face-up touch and a one dribble attack that other bigs – regardless of age – could not move their feet with. When we watched Bath he was very aggressive going at the opposing size with the dribble attack and the low post power move. Right now he’s the top big man prospect in the class.
Isaiah Hagen of Orono. What caught our eye?
Orono has a lot of good pieces this year, but could really use a true lead guard. Could that be Isaiah? It’s too early to tell but I did love the way he used ball screens to get to the second level and finish possessions. His hesitation attack opened space for his attempts and most of the time we watched Isaiah he was handling for his team. Keep his game in mind when you look in on Orono this year.
Tommy Humphries Tommy Humphries 6'5" | SF Totino-Grace | 2023 State #283 Nation MN of Totino-Grace. What caught our eye?
There’s been a nice list of big wing, long, explosive, agile players in Minnesota that are comfortable with the basketball and can finish at the rim well above defender. Guys that can playmake with the ball, and be explosive scorers producing off of it. Guys like Both Gach, Amir Coffey, BJ Omot BJ Omot 6'8" | PF Mankato East | 2022 State #231 Nation MN , Demarion Watson Demarion Watson 6'8" | SF Totino-Grace | 2022 State #150 Nation MN , and Camden Heide Camden Heide 6'7" | SF Wasatch Academy | 2022 State #129 Nation UT . Tommy Humphries Tommy Humphries 6'5" | SF Totino-Grace | 2023 State #283 Nation MN fits that mold and he’s likely been the biggest stock raiser in the 2023 class this summer.
Boden Kapke Boden Kapke 6'11" | C Holy Family | 2023 State #153 Nation MN of Holy Family. What caught our eye?
When it comes to players that can set a monster ball screen and then fade off that screen to catch and hit, Boden ranks with the best in Minnesota. He has a very clean and consistent jumpshot which makes him a pick and pop big. But he is very big, 6-foot-9/6-foot-10 so he’s also very good with his back to the bucket.
Dylan Omweno of Apple Valley. What caught our eye?
When I saw Dylan knock out shots in the corner, sprint the floor and hit a three at the wing, and then glide to the rim scoring smoothly with the finger roll off the glass I thought of a young Both Gach. Keep in mind, at Dylan’s age Both was 5-6 inches taller than he is now and did a lot of his scoring in transition and stretching defenses with corner jumpers. Dylan may not grow to be Both but what he can be is a big impact guy as a sophomore in the same way Both was at Austin.
Max Shikenjanski Max Shikenjanski 6'2" | PG Stillwater | 2023 State #288 Nation MN of Stillwater. What caught our eye?
I just love Max’s feel. He has a comfort with the game that many don’t have. His instinct allowed him to make shots this weekend in a reactionary way that most players can’t even pretend to plan. There were a couple attacks where Max had no business getting a good look up at the rim and not only did he find a way through congestion, he completed the plays. Wonderful feel and when the inches start piling up on his frame this could be a big guard that posses an impossible match-up in the SEC.
Maxsamus Wilson Maxsamus Wilson 6'3" | CG Hopkins | 2023 State MN of South St Paul. What caught our eye?
Nobody seemed to enjoy himself more than Max Wilson. There was a regular enjoyment to each three he made, every pass that came from his hand, and every finish at the rim done with flare. Wilson balanced confidence with a creative juice showing a potential that could take him a lot of places. This is a big year for his development and the talent is there for Max to make a big jump.