Battle At The Lakes: Top GameChangers
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At the conclusion of each tournament, a new recurring article will be the ’GameChangers’ series – sponsored by GameChanger. Prospects included in the GameChangers series will be prospects that really positively impacted games for their team.
Here are some top GameChangers from this past weekend:
Sebastian Wilkins — PF — Mass Rivals 17U
Wilkins is a 2025 prospect who is playing up a couple of age groups for a very good Mass Rivals team. Wilkins had a tremendous showing at Battle At The Lakes. He is a strong, physical power forward who does a nice job of using his size to dominate in the paint. I liked how he finished through contact at the rim and protected the paint.
Tate Haughenbury Tate Haughenbury 6'5" | PF North Linn | 2023 State IA — PF — Iowa Prep 17U
If there was an all-hustle first team from this past weekend, Haughenbury would be the first prospect I would mention. The power forward just doesn’t ever stop. On defense, he uses his 6-foot-5 frame to block shots and make life miserable for whoever he is guarding. On offense, he has good touch around the rim.
Jack Janicki Jack Janicki 6'4" | SG White Bear Lake | 2023 State #277 Nation MN — SG — D1 Minnesota 17U
Janicki is a top five prospect in Minnesota’s 2023 class. And I thought that he backed up his ranking this past weekend in Minneapolis. The shooting guard is a crafty slasher who does a nice job of finding ways to convert on tough layups. I was very impressed with Janicki in a win over Mac Irvin Fire. He was able to score 19 points against many top Illinois prospects.
Trey Smith Trey Smith 6'7" | SF Osseo | 2023 State MN — SF — Northstar Titans 17U
Smith is a really good small forward who was a huge stock riser in Minnesota. He is a tremendous athlete and was able to throw down a handful of huge dunks. Smith doesn’t just use his athleticism to throw down highlight-worthy dunks, though. He uses his bounce to grab boards and block shots.
Nolan Minessale Nolan Minessale 6'5" | SF Marquette | 2024 State WI — SF — Chapman Basketball Academy 16U
Minessale is a superb athlete. In the first game of the weekend, the small forward was able to throw down some big-time dunks. I loved how the Chapman Basketball Academy prospect played on defense too. He did a great job of sliding his feet and staying in front of whoever he was guarding. Minessale has been a huge stock riser this spring and he continued to play very well at Battle At The Lakes.
Caden Kirkman Caden Kirkman 6'8" | PF Wilton | 2023 State IA — PF — Iowa Barnstormers 17U
Playing for a loaded Iowa Barnstormers squad, Kirkman serves as an effective glue guy. The power forward makes difficult layups, rebounds the ball, passes well, and always plays with one hundred percent effort. The development that Kirkman has showed has also been impressive. It appears as if he is getting more comfortable as a isolation scorer.