BatL: Hopkins: 16U All-Tournament Team
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The annual Battle at the Lakes tournament was filled with excellent talent again this year. I checked out action at Hopkins High School. Below are my All-Tournament Teams, lets take a look at the best players I saw over the…
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Continue ReadingThe annual Battle at the Lakes tournament was filled with excellent talent again this year. I checked out action at Hopkins High School. Below are my All-Tournament Teams, lets take a look at the best players I saw over the weekend.
First Team
Harris Jackson (2023) |6-6 G| Judah Nation – High School= Thomasville. Judah Nation went 4-0 on the weekend. He has a very high ceiling. His length and skills are intriguing. Jackson is a flexible defender that can guard on the perimeter and offer resistance in the post. His wingspan is lengthy. On Friday night he had an eye-catching alley-oop finish in transition. Jackson is a smooth jumper that makes everything look easy on the court. I really like his game and potential. His 3-point shooting from beyond the arc is what really impressed me. Harris has a fine-looking shot with good lift. His length and vertical give him an added advantage over smaller guards. He spaces well with good hands and feet. I could see him at the next level in college as a solid 3 and D player.
Hudson Vaith Hudson Vaith 6'4" | SG Lakeville North | 2023 State MN (2023) |6-5 G| MN Magic Premier – High School= Lakeville North.
I was really intrigued with Hudson Vaith Hudson Vaith 6'4" | SG Lakeville North | 2023 State MN . He looked very good on Friday night. He and a few other Lakeville North players stood out this weekend. I would imagine the Panthers will be a standout squad next year. Vaith plays with a scoring mentality. He moves smartly and he is a spectacular athlete. Hudson’s length gives him a big upside on defense. He has the potential to be a legit player for Lakeville North next season. Magic went 2-2 on the weekend.
Ta’Veon Jones Ta’Veon Jones 5'7" | PG Windermere | 2024 State FL (2023) |5’6 G| Judah Nation – High School= Central Florida Christian. This left-handed player is the real deal. Judah had a great weekend and went undefeated. Jones is a stud athlete that has a great demeanor about his game. He is a steller on-ball defender and an excellent help defender. If I was a coach, I would want this guy on my team. I like the pace he plays with. He is always moving hard and fast but knows when to slow things down to get a good look. He is a facilitator and a distributor. Ta’veon knows which player to get the ball to. He struck me as a heady guard that makes everyone around him a better player. Judah Nation was 4-0.
Ot Omet (2023) |6-4 G| MN Select 2023 Emge – High School= Park Of Cottage Grove. He was impressive this weekend. I liked his energy and spirit. Ot is long and athletic. I was intrigued by his size and bounce. He attacks the basket hard and with diligence. Defenders had a difficult time staying in front of him. He seemed to be in “attack mode” at all times. Omet can also shoot and drill the 3-ball with ease. His rebounding is also something to make note of. His strength, length, size, and athleticism make him a beast on the boards. The future looks bright for this junior. Keep an eye out for him.
Thaddeus Burns Thaddeus Burns 6'2" | PG Florida High | 2023 State FL (2023) |6-0 G| Judah Nation – High School= Florida State University School. Judah was 4-0 on the weekend. His step-back game is very solid. Thad creates separation and elevates nicely over the defender to get his shot off cleanly. His motor on the defensive end never quits. He is definitely a frustrating defender for ball-handlers, Burns never goes away. I like his unselfishness. It never seemed like he forced a shot. Thad always made the extra pass. He dropped dimes and also made the easy pass when needed. Burns does not just have a sweet pull-up game. He also spaces the floor and spots up for 3-pointers. I like his stroke and his poise. He is a real-deal player with a bright future. If Judah Nation is playing in a gym near you, do not miss out on a chance to watch them.
Second Team
Blaise Wallace Blaise Wallace 6'6" | PF Maclay | 2023 State FL (2023) |6-7 F| Judah Nation – High School= Maclay School
Dawson Rief (2023) |6-1 G| Minnesota Heat Dedina – High School= Chaska
PJ Bono (2023) |6-1 G| MN Comets Peterson – High School= Elk River
Ruhan Jordan Ruhan Jordan 6'1" | PG Eastview | 2023 State MN (2023) |6-1 G| Minnesota Magic Premier – High School= Eastview
Vito Marchese (2023) |6-6 F| WOTN 2023 Bertsch – High School= Lakeville North
Third Team
Jake Easterling Jake Easterling 6'3" | SF Chiles | 2023 FL (2023) |6-4 Judah Nation – High School= Chiles
Jt Thornton (2023) |6-3 G| WOTN 2023 Bertsch – High School= Lakeville North
Soren Anderson (2023) |6-4 F| West Central Wildcats – High School= Perham
Tommy Lippincott (2023) |6-3 F| Minnesota Heat Dedina – High School= Eden Prarie
Waziri Lawal (2023) |6-2 G| MN Select Emge – High School= Breck