Hardwood Elite Week 4 Standouts
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Hardwood Elite’s “The League” concluded this past weekend, as teams fought to take home the fall league’s championship. I watched the Red Team take on the Black Team in the semi-finals, before red ultimately went on to defeat the Green…
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Continue ReadingHardwood Elite’s “The League” concluded this past weekend, as teams fought to take home the fall league’s championship. I watched the Red Team take on the Black Team in the semi-finals, before red ultimately went on to defeat the Green Team in the championship game! These are seven players who stood out across those two games.
Patrick Bath Patrick Bath 6'9" | C Totino Grace | 2023 State MN (6’9 2023 PF/C, Totino-Grace)- Patrick went out and simply dominated in the paint across the two games I saw. His explosiveness at that height is hard to find in any other player across the state, and he used it to get off hook shots over height, pull in offensive boards in bulk, and throw down some explosive dunks. Patrick has one of the best shot fakes in the state and is constantly getting guys off their feet on the perimeter, while also using it to read the defender before making a decision on whether or not to shoot. He was knocking down threes, using his elevation to hit pull-up jumpers from mid-range, and finishing around the rim through contact all night long.
Gabe Jobe Gabe Jobe 5'10" | SG Edina | 2022 State MN (5’10 2022 G, Edina)-Just about everyone in the gym new that they had to keep the ball out of Gabe’s left hand, yet he still found ways to get to his left and score at a high rate. He’s so quick attacking the basket and has a knack for finishing tough looks through contact and over size once he’s in the paint. Even at times with his right hand he was finishing off looks that made you question if he was actually right handed. What opens up those attacking lanes? His deep range that forced defenders to constantly step out and guard him beyond the arc. Should be in for another strong season for Edina.
Emmanuel Schmitter Emmanuel Schmitter 6'3" | SG Eagan | 2023 State MN (6’3 2023 G, Eagan)- Even in a fall league game where guys are playing with close to 10 players from different schools, Emmanuel Schmitter Emmanuel Schmitter 6'3" | SG Eagan | 2023 State MN is constantly making high IQ plays to help his team win. You never saw him force up a bad shot, and he was commonly found making the extra pass that turned a good look into a great look for one of his teammates. He’s a calming presence on the floor who never looked rushed, and just found ways to get to the rim off the dribble. Schmitter was arguably the most efficient scorer on the day, but also brought his constant effort to the defensive end, where he was willing to guard just about any position on the floor. Won’t be a big number scorer, but is constantly making winning plays.
Theo Liu Theo Liu 6'4" | PF Blake | 2022 State MN (6’5 2022 SF, Blake)- Theo has the potential to put up some big numbers at the Class AA level this winter. He moves well at 6’5 and has some above-the-rim athleticism in the open floor. Liu can glide to the rim for smooth finishes, but is also dangerous pulling up from 10 feet and using his length to get shots up over an outstretched hand. Defensively he brought some versatility to the floor as he could guard on the wing or in the paint. He’s a smart player on the floor and is also a high academic student who will have some college coaches watching closely during his senior year.
Jj Sullivan Jj Sullivan 6'2" | SG Eden Prairie | 2025 State MN (5’11 2025 G, Eden Prairie)- Against older competition JJ still keeps that same confidence that allowed him to hit some big shots down the stretch in the semi-finals and finals. The sharpshooting freshman on multiple occasions walked up the floor and pulled up from beyond NBA range to put a quick three points on the board for his team. When he wasn’t stretching the floor with his deep range, JJ made a few nice takes to the basket that resulted in a finish, a foul, or a quick dump off to an open teammate. There were times defensively where players 2-3 years older were simply more athletic, but the effort was always there to compete.
Marley Baah-Yeboah (6’3 2024 W, Lakeville South)- The sophomore once again finds himself on a top performers list this fall, as he continues to contribute at a high level for his teams. He has a little bit of length on the wing, and is an explosive athlete off two feet who is fearless attacking the basket. On multiple occasions he was able to leak out and beat defenders up the floor in transition leading to open dunks, but he could also get to the rim off the bounce. Marley isn’t afraid to play physical, and will bump defenders off him on the way to the basket when attacking in half-court. I think he does a nice job of playing off two feet which allows him to go up balanced or use a shot fake to get shot blockers in the air before finishing inside.
Hayden Tibbits Hayden Tibbits 5'11" | PG Wayzata | 2023 State MN (5’11 2023 PG, Wayzata)- Hayden was a steady hand for the Green Team that finished as runner-ups of the league. He’s an unselfish point guard who sets his teammates up for high percentage looks with his timely and accurate passing. When looking to score he’s quick with the rock and is a tough finisher around the rim despite being one of the smaller players on the floor. Hayden provides a lot of energy for his team with his quickness pressuring the ball defensively, as he’s able to force 1-2 turnovers just about every game he plays.