#PrepHoops2K21 – Minnesota Post Standouts
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Some of Minnesota’s best teams traveled down to Indianapolis last weekend to compete in the final live period of the summer. I was in attendance to catch the action, and these are seven of the post prospects who stood out…
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Continue ReadingSome of Minnesota’s best teams traveled down to Indianapolis last weekend to compete in the final live period of the summer. I was in attendance to catch the action, and these are seven of the post prospects who stood out over the weekend!
Brayden Carlson (6’8 2024 PF/C, D1 Minnesota 15u)- It’s rare to see a 6’8 vs 6’10 matchup at the 15u level, but that’s what happened as D1 Minnesota took on Team Ten Jabari Parker. Brayden wasn’t intimated by the size of his opponent at all, as he went straight at him with some aggressive looks in the post, using a quick and physical shoulder turn to open up some high percentage looks inside. The confidence to receive an entry pass and immediately look to score is something that I hadn’t seen in Brayden before, and it led to a lot more production offensively in this game. He also showed that he can stretch the floor and knocked down a three. Defensively he’s a physical presence who’s hard to move off the block, and attacks rebounds out of the air. Brayden also excels at setting screens, keeping a wide base making it hard for guards to get over him.
Pharrel Payne Pharrel Payne 6'9" | C Park Of Cottage Grove | 2022 State #84 Nation MN (6’9 2022 PF/C, Minnesota Select)- At this point it just wouldn’t be a top performers list without Pharrel Payne Pharrel Payne 6'9" | C Park Of Cottage Grove | 2022 State #84 Nation MN making an appearance. Once again he was able to dominate games on the defensive end, as his understanding of post position combined with his physicality make it so difficult for opponents to score without his teammates needing to double team on the block. In the first two Select games I saw, Pharrel knocked down two early 3’s which really helped to keep the defense honest moving forward, as they now had to defend him inside and out. On the low block he wins the fight for position early and provides a big target for an entry pass before he goes to work with a quick turn over either shoulder. Helped his team pick up wins over some tough competition.
Brady Helgren Brady Helgren 6'8" | C Edina | 2022 State MN (6’9 2022 PF/C, Minnesota Fury Wilde)- Facing off against a D1 committed center, Brady came out aggressive in Fury’s game against MPJ Elite. In the opening minutes of the game Brady put the ball on the floor and dribbled into a post up, scoring with a quick turn over his right shoulder. That was followed up by two three pointers, and another attack off the dribble that he finished at the rim. That quick burst of scoring early showed college coaches the versatile scoring ability that Brady has. He possesses sound footwork in the post, can handle the ball well for his size, and can stretch the floor from beyond the arc. Defensively you can tell he’s put on weight over the past year, allowing him to provide a more physical presence and make things difficult for his opponents on the block. Really liked the confidence that he showed to go straight at his man early.
Ahjany Lee Ahjany Lee 6'9" | C Byron | 2022 State #145 Nation MN (6’10 2022 PF/C, D1 Minnesota Prospects)- With an assistant from Kentucky watching on the baseline, Ahjany put in a strong performance in an 8:00am win for D1 Prospects. Ahjany’s first score came off a step through in the lane that he flushed home with two hands, and then added a pair of three point makes including one off the dribble in the first half. Ahjany’s other score in the first half saw him use a hop-step to split two defenders before finishing with touch at the rim. That ability to create off the dribble at 6’9-6’10 makes his potential very high, and he not only created for himself but also his teammates as he dished out two assists in the second half to his fellow big man around the rim.
Thomas Diew Thomas Diew 6'7" | C St. Cloud Apollo | 2022 State MN (6’8 2022 C, Gain Elite)- I didn’t get a chance to see Thomas play over the winter, but I liked the improvements he’s made in the past year defensively. He looks to be a lot quicker than before, and he used that quickness to slide into positions to make plays around the rim, swatting a handful of shots in the first game I took in. Thomas also still possesses the strong frame to defend on the block, and his length makes things difficult for opponents looking to finish around the rim. In the two games I saw he ran the floor hard for a few buckets inside, and he also knocked down a three with confidence. On the block he has excellent footwork, but also showed some patience to find the open man when the double team came.
Antwaun Massey (6’8 2022 PF, KC Spurs Black)- The Minnesota Prep big man once again put in a workmanlike performance over the weekend. He’s a true grinder inside who’s always going all out to fight with bigger opponents in the paint. He held his own against a high major big in one game, and then later in the night he put in five buckets in the first half against a talented PSB Denver team. Antwaun runs the floor as hard as any big you’ll find, and that helps to lead for easy buckets for him, or his teammates when a defender has to leave their man to cover him. I also like his competitiveness on the glass as it seems like he secures anything within reach, and he also does a good job of tipping out missed shots to his teammates on the perimeter. Add in the ability to go up balanced and finish through contact, and it was a solid weekend for Massey.
Patrick Bath Patrick Bath 6'9" | C Totino Grace | 2023 State MN (6’9 2023 PF/C, D1 Minnesota 16u)- It’s hard to find many 2023 post players with the type of explosiveness that Patrick possesses. Just watching him in warmups you’ll see him elevate for some impressive dunks that not many guys his size can do. Despite being so explosive, he doesn’t rely on that to make plays during the games. In the two contests I watched, Patrick was comfortable with his back to the basket, and was able to turn over either shoulder and finish off baby hooks with both hands. I also liked how he didn’t try to force up shots around the rim, and instead he looked to gain balance before elevating to finish, or kicking it back out when the chance wasn’t there.