ND Phenom: Spring Studs
In this article:
The Phenom 16U and 17U teams are loaded with talent and athletes. Things have not gone perfectly so far with injuries and players missing tournaments for various reasons. However, I see them coming together and turning the corner as the…
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Continue ReadingThe Phenom 16U and 17U teams are loaded with talent and athletes. Things have not gone perfectly so far with injuries and players missing tournaments for various reasons. However, I see them coming together and turning the corner as the AAU season continues. Be on the lookout for ND Phenom as we get into the summer tournaments. In this article, we will be looking at the players that have been looking like studs, so far this spring.
17U
Comments from coach Jordan Maurer:
“17u had a somewhat disappointing but not shocking spring. Zander Albers Zander Albers 6'5" | PF Bismarck Legacy | 2022 State ND suffered an ankle injury in an open gym with some local college players prior to our season starting. That mixed with roster inconsistency due to prom and spring sports has resulted in very inconsistent play for the group on the floor. “We have found consistent production from a few players, regardless of opponent.”
STUDS
Evan Gross Evan Gross 6'3" | SG Bismarck St. Mary's | 2022 State ND (2022) |6-3 G| St. Mary’s – He has been consistently able to find seams to get into the paint. Evan creates scoring opportunities for himself and others. Gross is also a leader rebounding on the defensive glass. I like his length and athleticism. He has the potential to be a consistent 3-point assassin.
Nate Fedorchak Nate Fedorchak 6'1" | SG Bismarck St. Mary's | 2022 State ND (2022) |6-2 G| St. Mary’s – He has been able to consistently create scoring opportunities for himself in transition. In the half-court, Nate is a slasher and he hit the pull-up. Fedorchak is making perimeter shots at a high clip. He is also looking good on defense while applying significant ball pressure. Do not lose track of Nate, he can score in a hurry.
Garrett Bader Garrett Bader 6'2" | SG Bismarck St. Mary's | 2022 State ND (2022) |6-1 G| St. Mary’s – He has been shooting it consistently well from the perimeter. Bader has also played well in transition. He can score fast and furious in transition. I like Garrett’s upside and future. I think he keeps things rolling and improves by leaps and bounds. Look for Bader to be one of the elite guards in Bismarck going into WDA play next season.
16U
Comments from coach Jordan Maurer:
“16u has had an up and down spring. William Ware William Ware 6'7" | SF Bismarck Century | 2023 State ND suffered a knee injury in the 3rd game of the season. The team has had 3 separate 3-1 weekends. Early in the season the group struggled to find offensive balance but has improved on this. This was largely due to Carson Yale Carson Yale 6'9" | PF Des Lacs Burlington | 2023 State ND beginning to assert himself more offensively, where early in the season he was tentative. This is not at all surprising when joining a new team. We have found consistent production from the majority of the group as roles are being filled quite well. The following have stood out both as players and potential collegiate basketball prospects.”
STUDS
Anthony Doppler Anthony Doppler 6'4" | SG Bismarck Century | 2023 State ND (2023) |6-4 G| Bismarck Century – He has lived up to his ranking as the top player in the ND class of 2023. Doppler is fresh off a weekend where he averaged 18.8 points while shooting a very efficient 11-25 (44%) from 3 and 10/12 (83%) from the free-throw line. Anthony has always been able to score at a very high rate. He has improved his efficiency tremendously from weekend 1 to weekend 3. Anthony is receiving interest from teams in the Summit League and in the Northern Sun. He is a high-level athlete with all the physical tools. I expect the college coaches to keep calling and interest will increase in this young stud.
Ryan Erikson Ryan Erikson 6'10" | C Bismarck Century | 2023 State ND (2023) |6-9 F| Bismarck Century – He has also lived up to his ranking as a top post player in the ND class of 2023. Ryan has missed 1 of our 11 games as he was not at the Schoolers Vincent game due to a family obligation. His most recent weekend of play resulted in a 3-game average of 19.7 points and 7 rebounds. He has also been highly efficient shooting 20-26 (77%) from 2, 2-5 (40%) from 3, and 13-14 (93%) from the free-throw line. He has really improved his defensive communication and his ability to get out on the perimeter hedging and at times switching ball screens. Like Anthony, Ryan is receiving interest from teams in the Summit League and in the Northern Sun. This big man is a star on the rise. I see him as one of the best post players in all of ND next year regardless of age or class.
Carson Yale Carson Yale 6'9" | PF Des Lacs Burlington | 2023 State ND (2023) |6-8 F| Des Lacs Burlington – He has been a huge addition to the team as a scorer, shooter, and shot blocker. Carson is comfortably a top 10 prospect in the ND class of 2023 and will continue to climb. Carson is coming off a 4-game stretch of shooting 8-14 from 3 (57%) while also finishing at a high clip on his post opportunities and flushing everything in transition or any uncontested rim. He has also been an active shot blocker for this group and is excelling at playing 1 on 1 defense in the post. Carson is receiving interest from teams in the Summit League and in the Northern Sun.
William Ware William Ware 6'7" | SF Bismarck Century | 2023 State ND (2023) |6-7 F| Bismarck Century – He has been limited to only 2.5 games of play so far this season. In the small sample size, he showed the ability to guard multiple positions and was showing an increased efficiency as a shooter. William has been diligently working on improving his body in the weight room and at POWER. The results were evident in weekend 1. William is receiving interest from teams in the Northern Sun.
Jaxon Kellogg Jaxon Kellogg 6'3" | PG Bismarck Legacy | 2023 State ND (2023) |6-3 G| Bismarck Legacy – He has been tremendous this season! As a 6’3″ 195 lb. point guard, he is physically bigger and stronger than most opposing guards. His size allows him to rebound with the bigger forwards and posts. Jaxon can immediately take the ball in the other direction to start the transition, while his quickness and defensive instincts allow him to get out of the perimeter and wreak havoc defensively. He has tremendous court vision and that was fully on display in Minneapolis where he finished with 26 assists against 9 turnovers against some quality competition. He has a lot of qualities that you are looking for in a point guard. Defensively he is great and his willingness to sacrifice scoring opportunities and shots for the betterment of the team. Jaxon flirts with a triple-double almost every game and will continue to improve with more reps at the point.