Midwest Collision – Max’s Saturday Standouts

The Midwest Collision is home to plenty of talented teams and prospects in Appleton, Wisconsin, and Prep Hoops was in the gym all Saturday to catch the action! These are seven of the top prospects I saw play from Wisconsin and Minnesota. Jalen Keago Jalen Keago 6'4" | SF Oshkosh North | 2021 State WI (6’5 SF, World Hoops Elite 2022)- Not sure if Jalen will be going the prep school route as a 2022 next year, but he also has some juco options on the table, including a new offer from Trinidad Sate JC after his performance yesterday morning. The 6’5-6’6 wing flashed his finishing ability early, as he cut hard without the ball and crashed the offensive glass to pick up some easy looks around the rim. He has a strong frame which allowed him to finish through contact with ease. In the second half he started to flash more of his perimeter game, including knocking down three clutch 3’s late in the game that helped his team pull away. Add in multiple blocks to protect the rim, and it was a strong opening performance from Jalen. Isaac Nyakundi Isaac Nyakundi 6'8" | C Duluth East | 2023 State MN (6’8 2023 C, Starks Elite)- Isaac started off the morning with glimpses of what his future could look like, and then in the afternoon game he turned that into consistent production throughout the game, finishing with 18 points against a tough World Hoops Elite team. At 6’8 he has a powerful frame to work with, and he used that to shield off defenders to win over position on the block and provide a big target for an entry pass. One sequence saw him take a pass, pivot towards the baseline, put the ball on the floor for one dribble, and then elevate for a powerful dunk. The very next play? Isaac pulls up from the top of the key for a triple. That was one of his three perimeter jumpers on the game as the 6’8 big man has a smooth looking shot from deep. Defensively he’s a physical presence down low who is hard to move off the block, and he also provides a constant rim protecting threat blocking or altering multiple shots every game. Trey Smith Trey Smith 6'6" | SF Osseo | 2023 State MN (6’6 2023 SF, MN Bounce)- Taking on a tough Starks Elite team, Trey made some impressive plays on the perimeter. At 6’6 he has a quick handle with the ball and can change directions like a guard allowing him to create space off the bounce, especially against size. The long and lanky wing did just that on multiple occasions, and knocked down multiple threes off the dribble. Another thing that stands out with Trey is his ability to comfortably step into a pull-up jumper from mid-range, rather than hopping into it off two feet. The potential is very high with Trey, and that’s evident when he’s able to turn his skillset as an explosive wing into consistent production. Willie Williams Jr. (6’ 2024 PG, Wisconsin Rise)- From an early stage Willie is looking like one of the better point guards in the class, and the Racine prospect was playing at a high level yesterday. He’s so fast in the open floor, able to take a defensive rebound or outlet pass and fly past defenders in the open floor, leading to multiple transition buckets. Willie may also have the best lay-up package in the state, as he can contort his body and extend the ball in various ways to avoid shot blockers and finish in traffic in highlight fashion. But perhaps his most important skill as a point guard is the passing vision. He’s so good at beating the initial defender, drawing in help to open up a teammate. Once that help slides over he immediately notices where the open man is an can deliver an accurate pass allowing them to get off a clean look.  Jobe Juenemann Jobe Juenemann 6'2" | SG Duluth East | 2023 State MN (6’ 2023 G, Starks Elite)- One of the major stock risers on the day was Jobe Juenemann Jobe Juenemann 6'2" | SG Duluth East | 2023 State MN of Duluth East, as the 2023 guard was getting buckets all day long for Starks Elite. At 6’ he may not have great size, but he’s an explosive athlete who can slash to the basket and has some above-the-rim ability in the open floor. Jobe scored at all three levels consistently as he’s a tough finisher at the rim, and elevate for a mid-range jumper, and is accurate from beyond the arc. His three point shooting kept his team alive in some close games, as the 6’ guard could put points on the board in a hurry. Defensively he moves his feet well against opposing ball handlers, but could also guard bigger than his size on the wing due to his effort and athleticism. Caiden Lecce Caiden Lecce 6'0" | CG Kenosha St. Joseph | 2022 State WI (5’11 2022 PG, DF Elite)- Caiden was one of the top defenders I saw all day, as he was a constant pest to opposing point guards. He made it so difficult for the other team to get into their offense as he was applying heavy ball pressure the moment their PG stepped over half-court. His quickness and low center of gravity allows him to quickly react and shifty direction, and he does a great job of fighting over screens to get right back to his man. Caiden’s quick hands led to multiple pick pocket steals, and he has the speed in the open floor to burst ahead and turn those steals into buckets. In the half-court he can attack the basket or knock down the outside jumper, and he’s an unselfish player who makes sure everyone stays involved. Jasper Timm Jasper Timm 6'4" | SG Duluth Marshall | 2022 State MN (6’3 2022 W, Starks Elite)- A long and versatile wing, Jasper seemed to do a bit of everything on the floor for his team. On the offensive end he found ways to cut without the ball or attack off the dribble to get to the rim, while also being able to step outside and knock down the open three when given too much space. He can play a bit bigger than his size defensively to guard 6’5-6’6 forwards, while also using his body to box out before attacking defensive rebounds. A productive player who’s able to contribute in a variety of ways without needing the ball in his hands.