MBCA Showcase: Max’s Day 2 Standouts
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The MBCA Showcase concluded yesterday as many of the state’s best players were competing at East Ridge High School in front of college coaches from all over the country! I was in attendance to catch the action, and these are…
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Continue ReadingThe MBCA Showcase concluded yesterday as many of the state’s best players were competing at East Ridge High School in front of college coaches from all over the country! I was in attendance to catch the action, and these are seven of the top performers I saw on Saturday.
Daniel Freitag Daniel Freitag 6'1" | PG Breck | 2024 State #142 Nation MN (6’2 2024 PG, Bloomington Jefferson)- One of the handful of 2024 prospects in attendance, Daniel more than held his own against arguably the most stacked team in the event that featured multiple high major offered 2022 prospects. It was my first time watching Daniel since the winter, and I was impressed with his ability to score the ball at all three levels. He was dangerous in pick & rolls as he was able to make defenders pay for going under by knocking down the outside shot, or come off the screen tight and get into the paint to score or facilitate. He jumped a passing lane to get out in transition and throw down a two hand slam, and further flashed his explosiveness by nearly throwing down over two 6’6 defenders off a drive. Daniel showed off his advanced passing vision to pick up a few assists, and put up some big scoring numbers on the day.
Kendall Blue Kendall Blue 6'6" | SG East Ridge | 2022 State #242 Nation MN (6’6 2022 W, East Ridge)- Kendall found himself thriving off the ball over the weekend, able to consistently find himself high percentage looks and scoring efficiently. On Saturday he knocked down the three ball at a high level, moving without the ball to get into space and then scoring with his smooth lefty shot. On occasion he was able to attack the basket off the dribble, where he showed his ambidextrous finishing ability as his athleticism allowed him to glide to the rim. In transition he ran the floor hard leading to smooth finishes at the rim and some explosive dunks. On the defensive end he can guard any spot on the perimeter and his length allowed him to get up in passing lanes and make plays.
Logan Kinsey Logan Kinsey 6'6" | PF Spring Lake Park | 2022 State MN (6’6 2022 SF, Spring Lake Park)- Logan continued to boost his stock as a prospect with a strong performance on Saturday. In the early morning fast break league he knocked down some mid-range jumpers and elevated to the rim for some explosive finishes. He followed that performance up in the last game of the day by getting to the rim at will from the wing, throwing down four dunks in the second half alone. He has a long stride to create separation towards the rim, and his bounce off one of two feet allows him to elevate to the rim from a variety of angles. Logan has a nice mid-range shot but also has the touch from three that forces defenders to step out and guard him.
Donovan Smith Donovan Smith 5'10" | PG Minnehaha Academy | 2022 OH (5’10 2022 G, Minnehaha Academy)- Good to see Donovan back healthy after missing time in the winter, as he was back to terrorizing opposing defenders with his range and quickness on the perimeter. Donovan’s shooting alone is enough to get defenders jumping, as a quick head fake can get them off their feet which allows him to put the ball on the floor and create a clean look for himself. This quickness makes him a threat from beyond the arc off the dribble, or flying around the floor without the ball to get into space. He handled the ball well, limiting turnovers and keeping everyone else on his team involved. Defensively he has the ability to be a pest as his quickness allows him to get right up on his man to apply pressure, or he can quickly double team players and make them uncomfortable.
Randy McClendon Jr. (6’2 2024 G, DeLaSalle)- I saw Randy playing during the fast break league portion of the showcase, and he shot the ball as well as anyone during that timeframe. The 2024 prospect plays with a lot of poise and a mature feel for the game, and he never looks rushed or gets sped up by defenders. His shot selection was really good, as he took what the defense gave him, and he was unselfish enough to pass up some good looks to get even better shots for his teammates. Randy hit the three at a high level, and also was able to read closeouts to blow by defenders and attack baseline at times. Defensively he’s fundamentally sound with his positioning, and brings that Islander toughness to that end of the floor.
BJ Omot BJ Omot 6'8" | PF Mankato East | 2022 State #231 Nation MN (6’7 2022 W, Mankato East)- BJ put together some strong performances in both the fast break league and in his first game of the day. On the defensive end he’s arguably the most versatile prospect in the class, as his long 6’7-6’8 frame combined with his mobility allows him to guard just about every spot on the floor. He attacked the basket well using his long stride and change of pace to get an edge on the baseline, and then was a crafty finisher with a few reverse lay-ups at the basket. BJ proved he can stretch the floor with his touch from three, and put together and all-around efficient performance against a team filled with high major offered players.
Prince Aligbe Prince Aligbe 6'6" | SF Minnehaha Academy | 2022 State #167 Nation MN (6’7 2022 SF, Minnehaha Academy)- When it came to getting high percentage looks consistently, I’m not sure anyone was better than Prince this weekend. At 6’7 and an advanced frame, Prince already has the build of a college player and used that to his advantage to bump defenders out of his way as he got to the rim to finish. Whether it was attacking from the wing or catching in the mid-post and ripping to get an angle, Prince lived in the paint allowing him to shoot a high percentage. The mid-range jumper was also falling for Prince, as he could pull-up off one/two dribbles, or face up and elevate to shoot when his defender gave him too much space. He’s so difficult to knock off balance when he gets around the rim, and he also provides a major rebounding presence as he can high point the ball and then outlet to his ball handlers to get the fast break going.