The Select Showcase – Top Performers
Today we continue with our coverage of the Select Showcase from Tuesday. More of the top performers from the event including big man Mick Wherley of Shakopee. Jamal Ambrose of Eastview (6’10, 2022). Let’s focus on three things here. The…
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Continue ReadingToday we continue with our coverage of the Select Showcase from Tuesday. More of the top performers from the event including big man Mick Wherley of Shakopee.
Jamal Ambrose of Eastview (6’10, 2022). Let’s focus on three things here. The first two are things that grabbed our attention the first time we saw Jamal: his 6-foot-9, 6-foot-10 strong center size, and the perimeter shooting touch comfort that is very rare for players his size. The other thing that caught my attention is Ambrose’s positioning of his body around the paint. He’s really taken a big step forward in learning how to pivot, maintain balance, and use that power to go up while limiting the ability of the defender to contest his shot. Ambrose was among the top scorers at the event both in potential, and in production.
Khalif Bettis Khalif Bettis 6'6" | SF Burnsville | 2023 State MN of Burnsville (6’4, 2023). I love the passion and aggression of Bettis. The fire in his eye getting back on defense ready to focus on the assignment of limiting his man, and then the aggressive attack in taking the game right to the rim. There is an agility and athletic ability to his game, but his aggression to get through to the rim is such a big thing. He was moving to good space against players two years his age. I expect a big sophomore season.
Muja Burton Muja Burton 6'4" | SF Columbia Heights | 2022 State MN of Columbia Heights (6’4, 2022). The guards and wings of the Select Showcase were solid, but among the leaders of scoring and field goal percentage was Burton. He attacked to his jumper using both the right hand attack, and the left hand attack, there were a few threes, and of course Burton busts tail up the floor to get ahead of others for his slashing/attacking baskets. When we looked in Burton was out-working others to get ahead of the play and finish at the rim consistently.
Nolan Stier Nolan Stier 6'2" | SG Stewartville | 2021 State MN of Stewartville (6’2, 2021). What really caught my eye this weekend – in an open floor setting with new teammates nonetheless – how well Nolan passes the ball. His ability to move at top speed and put the ball on the hands of a cutter, or the hands of a shooter ready to catch and release, really separates Nolan. That and one of the prettiest looking releases in the senior class. Nolan averaged 14 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 2.2 steals per game as a junior.
Mick Wherley of Shakopee (6’6, 2021). Wherley could almost use a Select Showcase story all to his own. Why? I think he could have a major breakout senior season playing next to Nick Katona Nick Katona 6'6" | SF Shakopee | 2022 State MN . In fact, Wherley has a chance to be a double figure scorer and maybe the second best scorer for his team. He has a much better handle than I was aware of and is a much better shooter than I was aware of. He hit shots off the bounce, off the catch and hit, did things with his back to the bucket, and overall scored in a lot of ways. Also did a great job defensively moving off of bigs and then limiting wings and some ball handlers. Impressive showing.