Top 250 Expo – Max’s Wing Standouts
In this article:
The Minnesota Top 250 Expo was loaded with talent all under one roof last weekend at Wayzata! From some of the biggest names in the state to prospects flying under-the-radar, these are some of the top wing performers I saw…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe Minnesota Top 250 Expo was loaded with talent all under one roof last weekend at Wayzata! From some of the biggest names in the state to prospects flying under-the-radar, these are some of the top wing performers I saw play throughout the day.
Cody Pennebaker Cody Pennebaker 6'5" | SF Park Center | 2022 State MN (6’5 2022 W, Park Center)- Cody started off a little slow in the game I watched, but really turned it on in the second half, including going on a run of scoring 3 or 4 buckets on his own within a couple of minutes. The 6’5 wing has some versatility in where he can play, going from playing point guard for his high school last season, to slashing from the wing in various camp settings this summer/fall. He has solid size and is an explosive athlete who was finishing above the rim with ease. Cody handles the ball well for his size and has a bit of shiftiness to him that keeps defenders on their toes because they never know if he’s going to attack the basket or create some separation for his jumper.
Myles Adams Myles Adams 6'5" | SF Eastview | 2023 State MN (6’5 2023 SF, Eastview)- I caught Myles playing in the final game of the day, and he was putting on a show with his explosiveness in transition. Whether it was jumping a passing lane to get a steal, or taking off and outrunning his man up the floor after a rebound, Myles found ways to get open looks in transition. At least since last summer he’s already had that explosiveness, but one thing he’s really added is the ability to attack off the bounce with a change of pace. Myles has a little hesitation move that guys his size and bigger have a hard time defending, and it freezes them for just a second allowing him to take one dribble forward and extend towards the rim to finish.
Jasper Timm Jasper Timm 6'3" | SG Duluth Marshall | 2022 State MN (6’3 2022 W, Duluth Marshall)- Not too much that Jasper Timm Jasper Timm 6'3" | SG Duluth Marshall | 2022 State MN didn’t do on Saturday, especially on the defensive end. At 6’3 with some length he fits the mold to play on the wing, but he can defend a lot bigger than his size. You’ll see him go from playing physical defense in the post, to guarding on the wings and jumping passing lanes to create turnovers. He’s a threat to handle the ball himself in transition, but you’ll also see him constantly scanning the floor looking to pass it ahead. In the half-court he’s a high percentage shooter from deep but has touch around the rim to score inside.
Henry Eliason (6’4 2023 W, Eastview)- Eastview has a deep 2023 class moving up in their program, and one of the players starting to emerge is Henry Eliason. A long and lanky wing, Henry is a floor stretching shooter with a smooth shot from beyond the arc. During the Expo he showed he can handle the ball well for his size, which makes him a difficult mismatch. Longer players often couldn’t move their feet with his handle, but if a shorter defender was on him his length allows him to get off clean looks from beyond the arc. Followed up a strong summer with a solid showing last weekend.
Buay Koak Buay Koak 6'4" | SG Lyle-Pacelli | 2023 State MN (6’3 2023 SG, Lyle-Austin Pacelli)- Buay may not have put up some of the explosive scoring numbers that we’ve become accustomed to over the last summer and high school season, but he showed off an all-around game that was an encouraging sign moving forward. He’s a long player at 6’3, and his long arms plus explosive athleticism allowed him to rebound much bigger than his size, while also being able to contest shots around the rim or get up in passing lanes and tip balls. He proved to be a transition threat in more way than one as Buay has the touch to finish at the rim, but also showed the vision and unselfishness to find a teammate if they had a better path to the basket. Will likely have scholarship level schools watching closely over his last two years of high school.
Cham Okey Cham Okey 6'3" | SG Austin | 2023 MN (6’4 2023 W, Austin)- Austin has constantly reloaded year after year over the past decade, and Cham Okey Cham Okey 6'3" | SG Austin | 2023 MN is one of those “next-in-line” players for a strong program. At 6’4 he has the size to be a threat on the wing, and in the last game of the day showed he’s comfortable handling on the perimeter. Cham knocked down a couple of tough shots from beyond the arc, while also using his physical attributes inside to score at the rim. With his level of shooting ability and size at 6’4, he’ll be a prospect to watch over the next couple of years.
PJ Pounds (6’5 2023 SF, DeLaSalle)- PJ was playing alongside a pair of gifted scorers, but that didn’t stop him from making his presence felt in other ways. With his size and strength he looks like he has the ability to play the 3 or the 4, and with that size and strength he was rebounding the ball at a high level. Loved how he looked for a man to box out as shots went up, and elevated to secure the ball rather than waiting for it to come to him. He’s a transition threat because of his athleticism around the rim, but also his effort to run the floor and beat defenders to the rim. DeLaSalle is known for its high effort players, and PJ seems to have the grit to carve out a role for them as a junior.