Hard Work Region Finals – Post Standouts
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The Hard Work Region Finals brought together some of the top independent teams in the Midwest, with many of Minnesota’s top prospects competing. I was in the gym all weekend catching the action, and these are seven of the top…
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Continue ReadingThe Hard Work Region Finals brought together some of the top independent teams in the Midwest, with many of Minnesota’s top prospects competing. I was in the gym all weekend catching the action, and these are seven of the top post prospects I saw!
Pharrel Payne Pharrel Payne 6'9" | C Park Of Cottage Grove | 2022 State #84 Nation MN (6’9 2022 PF/C, Minnesota Select)- Once again Pharrel went out and put up consistent 20/10 games for Select. He plays with a ton of physicality and is so good at sealing his defender to provide a big target for an entry pass, which he then receives before quickly turning over either shoulder to score with touch. He scores with such efficiency that it’s a priority for Select to try to get him a look on the block just about every possession. Defensively he gave scholarship level bigs difficulties as he’s nearly impossible to move off the block, and competes to move his feet along the perimeter. Another dominant showing from the high major offered big man.
Ahjany Lee Ahjany Lee 6'9" | C Byron | 2022 State #145 Nation MN (6’10 2022 PF/C, D1 Minnesota Prospects)- Ahjany continues to show those flashes of high potential while also producing on a more consistent level. He’s so long and agile with the ability to take defenders off the bounce and get to the basket. When attacking off the dribble he keeps the ball up high to avoid losing it to guards, and he can also stop on the dime and knock down the mid-range jumper. As his shot selection continues to prove and he starts going for his most efficient scoring spots, the production offensively should continue to improve. On the defensive end his length around the rim causes issues for opposing teams, but he’s also able to switch out on pick & rolls and move his feet on the perimeter.
Brady Helgren Brady Helgren 6'8" | C Edina | 2022 State MN (6’9 2022 PF/C, Minnesoty Fury Wilde)- Offensively there isn’t much that Brady doesn’t do. Feed him in the post and he has the footwork to create high percentage looks. Leave him open from beyond the arc? Helgren has the shooting touch to put a quick three points on the board. Not only can he score without the ball, but at 6’9 he can put the ball on the floor to attack the basket from the wing in a way that not many big men can. The skill had been there, but over the past month he’s really started to turn it into high level production against tough competition. There were times in some of the late games in the tournament that Brady turned it on and went on quick scoring runs that helped lead his team to the 17u title.
Payton Mogire Payton Mogire 6'8" | C Maple Grove | 2022 State MN (6’8 2022 C, Real Phenom)- Payton didn’t finish the ball as well as I’ve seen him do in the past, but he still showed flashes of the skill in the post that has made him such a productive player for Real Phenom this summer. At 6’8 he has a strong frame and moves well for his size, with the explosiveness to get off the ground quickly to either dunk with two hands or contest shots defensively. Payton is capable of catching on the block and looked comfortable turning over either shoulder to create clean looks around the rim. Although the shots weren’t falling, his ability to turn over either shoulder makes him a danger in the post. Payton sets hard screens and is also a tough player to keep off the glass as he fights for rebounds on both ends of the floor.
Jamal Ambrose Jamal Ambrose 6'10" | C East View | 2022 State MN (6’10 2022 C, Gain Elite 17u)- Jamal was one of the best shooters of the weekend, and when you take into consideration that he stands 6’10, that’s an impressive feat. In each of Gain Elite’s first two games of the weekend, Jamal drained three shots from beyond the arc, showing he can stretch the floor with the best of them. He’s more than just a shooter though, as Jamal possesses excellent touch to finish around the rim. Ambrose can turn over his left shoulder to finish with a baby hook, or score with a variety of post moves using his footwork to get defenders in the air before stepping through and finishing.
Jackson Loge Jackson Loge 6'7" | C Morris Area | 2022 State MN (6’8 2022 PF/C, Minnesota Fury Wilde)- Though mostly known for his low-post scoring ability, Jackson has continued to increase his versatility, and made some nice plays on the perimeter over the weekend. On one occasion he slashed from the wing and elevated off one foot to throw down a dunk, and he also showed that he can stretch the floor and knock down the open shot from beyond the arc. Even while going up against high major offered big men in the quarterfinals and finals, Jackson competed hard and made them work for every inch of space on the block. A hard working big with a high skill-set in the post.
Stephen Kesti (6’7 2022 PF/C, MSP Elite)- A deep sleeper in the 2022 class, Stephen did some nice things in the two games I caught. He’s not the most skilled or most athletic, but has a solid grasp of the fundamentals and is a hard worker who can do the dirty work in the post. When he catches on the block he has the touch to turn and finish over his left shoulder. He also showed that he can get up and finish above the rim when given space in the open floor. On the defensive end I liked how he made players fight for every inch in the open floor, but he was also quick enough to slide over to contest around the rim as a help-side defender.