MBCA Showcase: Post Prospect Standouts
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Minnesota has consistently been putting out talented post prospects, and the 2022-2024 classes are once again loaded with talented size in the post. These seven power forwards/centers stood out over the weekend at the MBCA Showcase. ( Jamal Ambrose Jamal…
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Continue ReadingMinnesota has consistently been putting out talented post prospects, and the 2022-2024 classes are once again loaded with talented size in the post. These seven power forwards/centers stood out over the weekend at the MBCA Showcase. ( Jamal Ambrose Jamal Ambrose 6'10" | C East View | 2022 State MN was another standout in the post, but was already discussed in one of my other articles from the event).
Elvis Nnaji Elvis Nnaji 6'8" | C Hopkins | 2022 State #215 Nation MN (6’8 2022 PF, Hopkins)-The Hopkins prospect is among the best in the state when it comes to quickly elevating off the ground, and that shows in his ability to elevate in tight spaces to finish above the rim. He runs the floor so well in transition, and his quickness to defend on the perimeter also helps lead to some fast break scores on his own. Elvis’ quick second leap allows him to get up for putback buckets, and he’s extremely dangerous rolling to the basket because his hands and coordination allow him to quickly gain his balance to go up and finish. Elvis also flashed signs of being able to stretch the floor, knocking down multiple perimeter jumpers in his team’s final game.
Lincoln Palbicki Lincoln Palbicki 6'10" | C Maple Grove | 2023 State MN (6’10 2023 C, Maple Grove)- Lincoln is a “throwback” big man who excels at scoring from the block and isn’t afraid to play physical. He’s constantly battling and bumping guys around to establish good position on the block, and when he receives an entry pass he scores at a high rate. Lincoln has advanced footwork in the post, able to score after a variety of pivots and shot fakes that often get his defender of their feet. If Lincoln catches within 8 feet, his baby hook almost never misses, as he has excellent touch with either hand to score. On the defensive end he’s a scrappy player who competes for rebounds and isn’t afraid to dive on the floor for loose balls.
Patrick Bath (6’9 2023 C, Totino-Grace)- A 2023 post prospect with some impressive athleticism at 6’9, Patrick Bath brings some offensive versatility to the floor. In the last game of the event, Patrick contributed in a variety of ways on both ends of the floor. He has a strong frame allowing him to defend on the block, but at times he played alongside a 7-footer, meaning he was guarding smaller forwards and was often out on the perimeter when that happened. Patrick is able to move his feet to defend better than a lot of bigs, and impressed by handling the ball in transition at times, weaving between defenders to get to the rim. He’s so dangerous floating and cutting without the ball on the baseline because he’s able to explode for dunks off of dump off passes, but Bath can also dribble into a pull-up jumper from 12-15 feet with ease. The potential is starting to turn into some production for Patrick Bath.
Jackson Loge Jackson Loge 6'7" | C Morris Area | 2022 State MN (6’8 2022 PF/C, Morris Area)- Despite not getting many touches over the weekend, I still thought Jackson was able to make a strong impact for his team. I was impressed with how he moved his feet on the perimeter at times guarding quicker players, understanding his angles and using his timing to protect the rim when opponents looked to attack him off the dribble. He didn’t get many chances to go to work on the block, but he was still constantly fighting and winning good post position that leads to easy buckets when he plays with players that are familiar with each other. In the chances he did have, Jackson pulled off two impressive turnaround jumpers that were among the best shots I saw made all weekend, scoring with confidence despite a hand right in his face. Jackson also remained unselfish and made attempts to keep the ball moving even though he knew he may not touch the ball for the next couple of minutes.
Pharrel Payne Pharrel Payne 6'9" | C Park Of Cottage Grove | 2022 State #84 Nation MN (6’9 2022 C, Park of Cottage Grove)- Another player that may not have received as many touches as usual, Pharrel still showed why he came into the event with D1 offers, and left with a few more including a high major offer from Minnesota. Despite being so young for his grade, Pharrel has a physical and athletic frame, and is so quick off his feet when rebounding, blocking shots, or elevating to finish over size. His footwork in the post just continues to improve, as he’s not only able to overpower players at times, but get them up in the air leading to uncontested looks that he can finish off with either hand. Pharrel hustles to get up and down the floor, can handle the ball well for his size, and is so good at securing rebounds at their highest point.
Brady Nicholson Brady Nicholson 6'9" | C Chaska | 2022 State MN (6’9 2022 C, Chaska)- Brady Nicholson Brady Nicholson 6'9" | C Chaska | 2022 State MN made the most of his opportunity during his team’s last game of the weekend when taking on a stacked Team 1. He was fearless attacking against D1 offered size in the post, using his strong frame to either drop stop baseline or turn over his right shoulder to finish off a high percentage look with his left hand. Brady has excellent touch that not only allows him to score in the paint, but to also stretch the floor with his three ball. He has no problem playing with physicality, and is a scrapper on the glass that is able to earn second chance opportunities for his team on the offensive end. He’s played well in just about every game I’ve watched of him this spring/summer season.
Donnavin Hinsz Donnavin Hinsz 6'6" | PF Columbia Heights | 2022 State MN (6’6 2022 F, Columbia Heights)- Though Donnavin has the combination of size and agility to alternate at times between the 3 and 4 spots, he did the bulk of his damage around the rim in the games I saw. For a player at 6’6 with his type of strength, he’s also very light on his feet allowing him to attack taller players off the dribble and get to the rim to extend and finish. Put a quicker player on him? Donnavin is just too strong for most of them to contain when he catches in position on the block. In the transition drills on Saturday morning he was excelling with his hustle to get up the floor which led to some strong attacks and finishes at the rim. On defense he’s a Swiss army knife type of guy that can move his feet on the perimeter, wall up around the rim, make it difficult for bigs to receive a post entry pass, and jump passing lanes to get out in transition.